486 THE FRUIT-GARDEN. [Sept. 
all the watering which is given to the plants in warm dry seasons, 
will not be sufficient to procure abundant crops; nor should the 
ground be made overly rich with dung, for that would cause the 
plants to run into suckers, grow too luxuriant, and render them less 
fruitful. 
Any time this month that the weather proves moist, you should 
take advantage of it, for making your general plantations of 
strawberries; but if dry and hot, it will be better to defer that work 
to the last week thereof, or first in October; not later if pos- 
sible, as the plants will be greatly benefited by having time to form 
good roots before winter. But should the weather then prove un- 
favourable you should proceed to planting, after which, plentiful 
and frequent waterings must be given, till the plants are well 
rooted. 
The sets proper for planting at this time, are those produced, 
in the present year, from the young runners; selecting them as 
before noticed; or such as were taken off in June and transplanted 
into nursery beds. When taken up, ths roots should be trimmed, 
the decayed leaves picked off, and also any small vines or runners 
issuing from the plants. 
The ground should be well dug and, if necessary, previously 
manured with a sufficiency of old well rotted dung, then laid out 
into four feet wide beds, with alleys between, of eighteen or twenty 
inches, for the convenience of going in occasionally to weed and 
water the plants, and to gather the fruit. Each bed is to contain 
four rows of plants, the large kinds eighteen inches distant in the 
rows, and the small sorts fifteen. Close the earth well about the 
roots of each plant, and when finished, water the whole plentifully, 
should the weather happen to be dry at the time. 
The old strawberry beds will require to be kept clear from large 
overgrown weeds, and in October are to have their autumn dressing 
as there directed. 
N. B. If you intend to force strawberries in the winter or early 
spring months, this is the time to pot them for that purpose. 
The alpine and scarlet kinds are the best for forcing; they should be 
strong plants, of two years old, and in a proper state for full bearing. 
Provide as many pots of about seven inches diameter at top, and 
made in proportion, as you think may be sufficient, and at the same 
time get some good loamy earth, made fine with a spade, place 
a few inches thereof into the bottom of each pot, previously laying 
a shell over each hole as directed on former occasions, then take up 
each plant with a ball of earth to its roots, pare the ball neatly round 
with the knife, clear the plant from decayed leaves and runners, 
place it in the pot and fill up the spaces round the sides and over 
the surface of the ball with fine earth. Water the whole when pot- 
ted, and remove them to the shade for eight or ten days, till newly 
rooted; then you may plunge them to their rims in any open part 
of the garden, there to remain, watering then; occasionally, till the 
approach of winter, when the pots are to be placed under the pro- 
tection of frames and glasses, till taken into the forcing depart- 
ments. 
