August 12,1880. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTA GE GARDENER. 131 
12 th 
th 
Taunton Deane Floricultural Show, 
13th 
f 
14th 
s 
Exhibition of Cut Flowers and Bouquets at the Alexandra Palace. 
15 th 
Sun 
12th Sunday after Trinity. 
16th 
M 
17 th 
Tu 
18th 
W 
Shrewsbury Summer Show ; Thornton Heath Show. 
NOTES ON STRAWBERRIES. 
?ITTLE labour has been needed this season for 
Strawberry runners after they were layered in 
pots ’ ra * n ^ iaS ^ eeU S0 a ^ unt t an t that scarcely 
iany watering has been required, whether the 
runners were placed in small or large pots. The 
fm latter practice I more strongly advocate than 
ever, and I can produce better plants and more 
satisfactory results in every way than by the other 
system. Good fruits are produced under both plans ; 
yet where the layering into the fruiting pots is carried 
out no check is occasioned, and attention is only needed to 
develope good crowns and thoroughly ripen them. One of the 
strongest objections raised against this system by various cul¬ 
tivators who adopt the other is, that when the runners are 
layered into the large pots the roots go direct to the sides and 
leave the soil in the centre without roots. This is not the case. 
Before autumn thejpots are full of roots. 
The present is a good time to either layer runners for making 
new plantations, or potting the runners, placing them in a 
frame or under the shade of Peach trees in early houses. The 
latter plan is ^preferable, and in dry weather watering can 
be done more readily. It also allows cultivators the oppor¬ 
tunity of clearing off the runners that are not required, thus 
giving the plants that have to produce a crop next year every 
chance to thoroughly ripen their crowns for the following 
season. When established in small pots the young plants can 
be placed out at once, the distance between the rows and 
plants depending on whether they are to remain for permanent 
fruit-bearing or for stock next season. Eighteen inches be¬ 
tween the rows and 1 foot from plant to plant is ample for 
the latter purpose. Between the rows Lettuce and Endive can 
be planted. Young plants are preferable from which to obtain 
runners ; they are earlier and much more vigorous than from old 
stools, or from those that have been forced. Some contend that 
planting young plants purposely to obtain runners for forcing is 
a waste of ground and labour, but it is surprising what a number 
of runners a few vigorous young specimens will produce. First, 
a crop of Lettuce and Endive for winter is obtained ; secondly, 
an abundant supply of runners, which is necessary where the 
spring supply of Strawberries is an important matter; and 
lastly, the plants can be cleared-oft in time for a valuable crop of 
Coleworts or Little Pixie Cabbage. Forced plants are useful 
if planted out for affording a crop of fruit the following year, 
and they will give a better return than runners layered and 
planted, unless the layering is done early. 
Strawberries do not succeed so well upon trenched ground 
as upon firm solid land, especially if much of the lower soil 
is brought to the surface. If the ground is trenched and a 
crop of Potatoes taken, the Strawberries being then planted 
appear to do much better. This will not apply to gardens 
where the soil is of a tenacious nature, but in light soils it is 
much better than newly trenched ground. Sir Charles Napier 
Strawberry will not thrive on light newly trenched ground, 
especially if the winters prove severe. In planting this variety 
a sheltered position should be selected, that is in northern 
counties, and some little protection afforded to the crowns in 
winter. It is valuable for forcing, and the fruit is adapted for 
travelling better than almost any variety'. When grown in 
pots it must be sheltered in winter, or else it will be much 
injured and prove unsatisfactory for forcing. When culti¬ 
vators have to deal with light soil it is wise to spread over the 
surface before winter a good coating of clay, so that the frost 
will thoroughly pulverise it, and it should then be regularly 
and evenly worked into the old soil. Clay incorporated with 
light soil for Strawberry-growing will be found far more 
beneficial than a thorough dressing of manure. Yicomtesse 
Hericart de Thury is a valuable variety for light soils, and 
evidently appears to fruit equally as well as if planted on 
ground more favourable for Strawberry culture. Under cul¬ 
tivation in pots it succeeds very well potted moderately firmly. 
It is very hardy, and is not injured in the least if left outside 
in pots and unprotected during winter. Sir Joseph Paxton, 
Eclipse, Underhill’s Sir Harry, and British Queen have also been 
tested by leaving them out unprotected ; their roots have kept 
in good condition, and the plants have forced well. They have 
started into growth more freely than if kept in Peach houses, 
vineries, or frames, and frost excluded. British Queen is a 
most unsatisfactory variety with me on a light soil, and I have 
hitherto failed to grow it well in pots. When it is well known 
that severe weather will not injure the roots of Strawberry 
plants in pots it will be a great advantage to many gardeners 
to be able to leave them outside, so as to set their frames at 
liberty to be occupied with Lettuce and Endive where winter 
salads are required in quantity.—W m. Bardney. 
CURRENT TOPICS. 
The Potato Disease. —I do not think the remarks which 
have lately appeared on the disease of the Scotch Champion 
will have startled anyone who has grown this variety for several 
seasons and watched the course it was taking. Up to the 
season of 1878 it was free from disease with me and about 
here ; but last season, although not affected so much as many 
varieties, it was diseased to a certain extent, and this season it 
appears to be going as fast as most varieties. I have observed 
this to be the case with many new Potatoes. When they were 
introduced they were able to resist the disease, but this gradu¬ 
ally gained on them until they had no claim to be regarded as 
disease-resisting, and this, I fear, is the case with the Champion. 
One would gladly believe that the remarks of “ W. B. W.” 
(page 110) about selecting the best tubers for seed is the surest 
way of keeping up the disease-resisting constitution of the 
Potato, but even this has failed with us. For two or three 
seasons I have selected the very largest tubers I could obtain 
for seed of International Kidney, Red Emperor, and others, 
some of the former being over three-quarters of a pound in 
weight when placed in the ground this spring, and more than 
Xo. 7 .—Yol. I., Third Series. 
No. 1663.—Yol. LXIY., Old Series. 
