570 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



President, a well-known variety, is difficult to beat for later supplies, and it is one of the 

 best flavoured. Unfortunately, this variety is more subject to mildew than others, but by 

 using sulphur at the start this pest is easily held in check. Many growers still use Sir C. 

 Napier, and for May supplies it has few equals. It is a splendid fruit when well grown, 

 though the flavour is not equal to that of the others already named. For the latest supplies, 

 Gunton Park is excellent ; it forces well when given ample time. There are others, such 

 as Leader, Sensation, Veiteh's Perfection, and British Queen, but these are at times 

 less reliable ; the two last-named are probably the best of all for their high flavour. 

 Forcing is simple, but needs care at the start. Give a low temperature, not more than 

 45deg. to 5odeg. at night, and very little more by day during the first few weeks, and the 

 plants for very early supplies succeed with a little bottom heat, but it must be very mild. 

 1 use fresh leaves, and if hot-water pipes are employed it is well to have a regular heat, 

 say 70deg. to 8odeg., not more when starting the plants. The flower spikes push up much 

 better with a little bottom heat, and in about six week's from the time of starting 



FORCED ROYAL SOVEREIGN STRAWBERRY. 



they will be showing freely and need a place near the glass. Very little moisture 

 has been required up to this period of growth, but with greater vigour in the 

 plants it will be necessary. Tepid water should at all times be used, and the 

 plants damped overhead daily with the syringe until the flowers open. Mildew at times 

 is troublesome in a close house, and when the pest is seen fine sulphur should be dusted 

 over the plants. More warmth may also be given at this stage — quite iodeg. higher 

 temperature — and, if possible, a little ventilation daily whilst the plants are in bloom. After 

 the bloom is set no delay should take place in thinning, leaving from six to nine of the 

 strongest fruits on each plant. From this date syringe twice daily, early in the day and 

 when the house is closed at midday, also give liquid manure or a good fertiliser at every 

 other watering until the fruits cease to swell. During the swelling a more liberal temperature 

 may be employed, say 65deg. at night, and iodeg. higher by day. This is not allowing for 

 sun heat, as the thermometer may be allowed to run up freely. Another and excellent 

 method of forcing, say with late fruits started at the beginning of the year, is to place them on 

 shelves, and treat them just the same as one would Peaches, that is, slow forcing, say 45deg. 



