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THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
prevent them from bruising each other. When unpacked, the hran 
will fall out from amongst them, and if any remain, it should be 
removed with a small painter’s brush. The berries should then be 
treated as before directed, when they will be ready for the table. 
The smaller fruits, such as gooseberries, currants, etc., should be 
packed in flat tin cases, and on no account should a large quantity 
be put into the case. If this is done, they will not he fit for use at 
their journey’s end. All these small fruits should he packed in bran, 
which can be easily removed when they are unpacked. This will 
prevent them from bruising one another. When unpacked, they 
should then be laid in some cool apartment until they are required 
for use. 
FORCING STRAWBERRIES. 
BY A CONTRIBUTOR. 
HE time has now arrived when every gardener who forces 
strawberries will have commenced potting the runners, 
in order to make good plants of them for early excite- 
ment. Perhaps a few observations on their culture in 
pots, by one who has had ample experience, may not be 
out of place. 
I would have it understood, however, that I do not regard the 
system I advocate as anything new ; but I am convinced that the 
plan is everything which a good and successful plan ought to be, if 
care is taken to carry it out well. 
The soil I have seen used, and that, too, attended with the very 
best results, was brown, fibrous loam which had been taken from a 
pasturage. The top spit only was taken off to the depth of about 
three or four inches. It was used immediately afterwards, in as 
green a state as possible. When used in this state, it was said to 
contain more of the constituents of plants, more alimentary matter, 
and other organic substances most desirable to produce a healthy, 
vigorous action of root. It was used in most cases chopped up 
rough, almost as large as we could get it into the pots. Decom- 
posed horse-dung was used at the rate of one barrow-load to two of 
loam. If the soil was too stiff, it was corrected by the addition of 
sand or sandy earth, or lime rubbish, or bruised charcoal. The plan 
of putting the runners into three-inch pots is undoubtedly the best. 
If potted otherwise at the first onset, in six-inch or larger size 
pots, the soil becomes deteriorated, exhausted, and deprived of its 
organizable matter, through the constant application of water. 
In choosing the runners for potting, we always selected them from 
plants which had been forced, experience having revealed to us the 
fact that those runners which were taken from plants which had 
been forced came into bearing sooner, and not only that, their fruit 
was larger. As soon as the runners have filled the three-inch pots 
with roots, they are separated from the parent plant, and potted 
