THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
245 
into tlie sized pots in which it is intended they are to remain, in 
six-inch, eight-inch, or nine-inch, as the case may be. They are 
then placed on ashes in beds, with alleys for convenience in water- 
ing and taking off runners. 
Mr. Turnbull, who forced 2,000 plants annually at Blenheim, 
used to pot a quantity in nine-inch pots ; they did admirably, three 
in a pot. Potting in nine-inch pots possesses many advantages 
over the old plan — such as a saving of room, etc., and they do not 
get dry so soon as small pots, consequently the roots are preserved. 
I recollect Mr. Turnbull sent some plants, well fruited and 
staked out, to the dessert table as they were grown. Those who 
witnessed the plan of potting in nine-inch pots were unanimous in 
approving of it most highly, both for productiveness and good 
economy. During the growing season the plants are inclined to 
make runners, which should be closely watched, and, as soon as 
they make their appearance, cut or pinched off. It is a good plan 
to go over the stock every three days. As regards watering, great 
care is requisite on the part of the cultivator never to allow the 
plants to flag for want of water ; water should be supplied copiously 
in hot weather. I have known the time when we were obliged to 
water two or three times a day during hot weather, otherwise the 
plants must have suffered from drought ; hence they become un- 
healthy and unproductive. It was customary to water with deer or 
sheep-dung diluted in pond water twice a week. The first 500 
plants were potted the first week in July, if it were possible to get 
them, in order to get fine plants fit to introduce into the forcing-pit 
the first week in December. Before introducing the plants into the 
forcing-pit, a bed of fermenting material was put in, composed of 
half-spent dung, or leaves from the linings, or otherwise. This was 
to excite the roots gradually into a growing state, which both 
strengthens the root and accelerates the growth of the plant. When 
the temperature of the bed had sunk to a moderate heat, the pots 
were put in and half plunged. In October, before the frost came, 
those plants which we did not intend to force early were stored 
away in spare frames or pits, plunged to the rim in old tan, or ashes, 
or soil, till required for excitement. Some were stacked in ridges 
running from north to south, in ashes ; on the top of the ridge was 
placed boards, to prevent wet getting to the roots and pots. In very 
severe weather dry litter was thrown over the ridge, thus preventing 
any serious injury to the roots by the action of frost or the impulse 
of sharp winds. Those plants which we begun to force had no more 
water than was necessary, till we could perceive the bud had begun 
to expand, or in cases where the plants were very dry. Every 
forcing gardener knows how important it is to be sparing of water 
to strawberries early forced in pots. Much care is requisite on the 
part of the cultivator to keep the soil sweet ; for, if it happens to sour 
through overmuch moisture, the result is a failure. We began with 
a temperature of 48° night heat, allowing 12° or 14° of maximum 
of heat during day. Special care was taken not to fire higher for a 
few weeks. As the plants progressed in growth, the temperature 
was gradually raised according to the stage of their growth. When 
August. 
