572 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



to 50deg. the first month, then iodeg. higher until in bloom. During the latter period keep 

 the house drier, and then give more warmth. As growth increases, I invariably place 500 

 plants on shelves at a time, every three weeks from the end of December until May. 

 At the end of April shelves are not so suitable, as the plants dry up rapidly. A cool bed 

 is preferable ; but in all cases it is well to grow the plants as near the glass as possible. 



STRAWBERRIES IN THE OPEN GROUND. — Strawberries are more important to the 

 majority of growers than forced plants, and of simple culture, but the treatment varies, as 

 if the Strawberries were all grown one way the results would be less satisfactory. The old 

 system was to plant a bed every half-dozen years, but this is not much practised now, and few 

 who studv quality allow the plants to remain longer than three years, as the best results 

 are secured from young plants. I even go further, and only take one crop from such kinds 

 as will fruit freely. Tire Pine section — British Queen, Empress of India, and a few others, 

 Latest of All especially — do best the second year (as regards quantities of fruit). If the 

 three years' system be adopted, everyone should know that Strawberries like a holding or 

 rather heavy soil. Light soil will support the fruit, but the crop is not so good, and suffers 

 badly in hot, dry seasons ; on the other hand, deeply dug land, well enriched with decayed 

 manure, will be beneficial. At planting it is well to plant firmly and not let drought check 

 growth. 



Planting may be done in the spring, or end of summer — preferably the latter period, 

 as then the plants grow away freely in the spring. If planted early in the year the crop is 

 nil, but the plants will be building up crowns for the next year. 1 find the same procedure 

 advisable in the case of forcing plants as regards propagation. If the plants are layered 

 into small pots they ma} 7 be planted out well in August, and as regards distance, space 

 must be governed by the time the Strawberries are to occupy the land. If three 

 years, give 2jft. between the rows and i8in. between the plants ; if less, say two years, 



STRAWBERRIES GROWN IN BARRELS (AMERICAN WA Y) j 



