THE STRAWBERRY. 



569 



but, let me add, there should 

 be no delay in the potting on. 

 I like to get all my forcing 

 stock into the pots in which 

 they are to fruit as early in 

 August as possible, as this 

 only gives about two months 

 in which the plants have to 

 make their grow th — none too 

 long when good plump crowns 

 are needed for early forcing. 

 As I require several thousands 

 of crowns, 1 commence layer- 

 ing at the end of June, the 

 plants having been denuded 

 in the early spring of their 

 flower spikes to make an 

 early runner growth, and in 

 three weeks from the time 



of layering they are read}' to pot up into the 6in. pots used for forcing, so that most 

 the work is completed by the end of July, and this gives a longer season's growth. There is 

 no waste by planting a few rows for this purpose, as the next year such plants give a splendid 

 crop of fruit. I plant rather closer than usual — viz., i8in. all wavs — and in lavering everv other 

 row is left open to allow of w atering and attention to the plants. At the start there should be 

 no want of water, as soil in the small pots dries quickly. Many growers plunge the pots in the 

 beds. 1 do not, but stand them close together, as this saves time and answers well if plenty 

 of water be given. At the end of three weeks the layers are rooted, cut from the parent plant, 

 placed in the shade, and potted on, the plants when potted being placed in rows on a hard ash 

 bottom in an open position. There are other ways of propagation. Some, and especially large 

 growers, layer direct into the pots in w hich the plants are to fruit. This is not advisable in 

 w et seasons, as the large mass of soil gets sour before the roots can fill the space, and worms 

 are troublesome. The potting on system is preferable, though it adds to the labour. 1 - Another 

 good plan is to cut square pieces of turf and plunge between the rows, the layers being pegged 

 into the turf, and then lifted, with ample roots, into the fruiting pots. Good loamy soil is 

 sometimes placed between the rows, and the layers pegged down, then lifted when rooted. 

 This plan is good for planting out, but not for forcing, as at times the plants droop badly when 

 potted, and take more time to recover. Whatever system is adopted, pot as firmly as 

 possible, using the rammer freely. Use fairly heavy soil if it can be obtained, and not too 

 much, if any, manure. As a sturdy growth is needed, a little bone meal or spent Mushroom 

 manure will be found sufficient in the soil to enrich it. 



VARIETIES TO FORCE. — These depend upon the grower's taste. If large fruits be 

 desired, 1 do not know of a better variety than Laxton's Royal Sovereign, a large, bright 

 scarlet fruit of good flavour, and one of the earliest. It may be forced more freely than 

 many other kinds, and is now forced in immense quantities for the market on account of 

 its good colour, size, and free growth. Few fruits give weightier crops. The next variety 

 is different, as the fruits are smaller but of excellent quality. This is Vicomtesse H. 

 de Thury, a medium-sized fruit, conical in shape, bright red flesh, sweet, and richly flavoured. 

 It bears abundantly, and this makes up for lack of size. It will do well in smaller pots than larger 

 growers, and is an excellent variety for layering direct into the pots in which the plants 

 are to fruit. La Grosse Sucree for early forcing is also a standard kind with a dark' red 

 fruit, glossy, and of excellent flavour ; it is one of the most reliable kinds in cultivation. 



