V 
A UTUMN 
J 5S 
to plant, as very many years must pass before 
it will bear any fruit. Mine took quite ten 
years. 
But there are other fruits that do not take 
so long to grow, or so much room. There are 
strawberries, which are such pretty-looking 
plants, and easily managed. If you want them, 
the best way is to beg for what are called 
“ runners ” from the strawberry plants in the 
kitchen garden. There are almost sure to be 
some to spare. These, if planted in September, 
having been rooted like layers of carnations, 
will fruit the next summer. A fanciful way of 
growing strawberries has been tried lately, and 
I think some children might manage it, even if 
they had no real gardens. An old barrel is all 
that is wanted, and a piece of drain-pipe. Holes 
are cut in the barrel all round at intervals like 
a pigeon-cot ; the drainage up the middle of the 
barrel ensures the plants at the top and those 
below having an equal share of water. The 
strawberries are planted at each hole, and earth 
put over them till the barrel is full, and they 
hang out their leaves and then their bright 
scarlet fruit, and completely cover the old 
barrel. 
In a shady garden, wild strawberries will 
grow well and fruit, even if there is not 
sufficient sun for the larger kinds. If children 
