iso 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ June 9, 189J. 
have only the moisture of the atmosphere at first, but it is increased 
after the first week or ten days by syringing them occasionally. 
When they display signs of starting they are panned and potted. 
About half a dozen pieces with leads of such kinds as O. Rossi 
majus are placed in pans in a compost of peat fibre and bits of char¬ 
coal, sphagnum moss being sparingly used on the surface. Single 
pieces of varieties of similar habit of growth to 0. crispum are 
placed into 2-inch pots, the pots being one-third full of drainage 
and the plants slightly elevated, the material used for them being 
peat. The plants are then stood pot to pot until they begin to 
grow, the atmosphere is kept moist, and the syringe freely used 
amongst the pots. Care should be taken not to give too much 
water until root action has commenced. Those with healthy 
plump pseudo-bulbs will quickly make capital growths and abun¬ 
dance of roots. 
Overpotting must be carefully avoided ; it is better to leave the 
plants in the small pots until they are thoroughly estaolished. 
O. vexillarium is treated only slightly differently, being potted in 
equal portions of peat fibre and sphagnum with moss on the 
surface. After potting the whole are grown with established 
plants.— Orchid Grower. 
STRAWBERRIES AFTER FORCING. 
By far the greater portion of the Strawberries that are 
fruited in pots are thrown away as being no longer of any real 
service. There was a time, however, when they were much sought 
after by owners of small gardens and others, who found that if 
properly treated they would yield an extraordinary crop of fruit in 
the open during the following season. Unfortunately this superior 
productiveness was not sustained in after years, in fact in most 
cases it did not pay to retain them any longer. This comparatively 
early collapse of the plants may not have been the sole cause of the 
discontinuance of planting-out forced pot Strawberries, but it had 
much to do with it. I am referring especially to such old favourites 
as Sir Joseph Paxton, President, Sir 0. Napier, and British Queen, 
none of which can be depended upon to fruit a second time in one 
season, whereas Keens’ Seedling, if forced rather early, would do 
so, and so also would Black Prince, These varieties have of late 
years been largely superseded by Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, 
Princess of Prussia, Noble, and La Grosse Sucree, and the three 
first named, at any rate, are so exceptionally productive that they 
will fruit most abundantly twice in one season. It is this now 
very well known habit that has led to forced plants being saved and 
planted out with a view to having a second serviceable crop of fruit 
either in August or September and later, and where time and space 
can well be devoted to their culture the results are seldom other 
than satisfactory. 
Whether the plants ripen their second crop in August or 
September and later largely depends upon the time when they 
were forced, the earliest turned out being naturally the first to 
crop again, a natural succession being had by planting, say, either 
Yicomtesse, or Noble, and Auguste Nicaise at one time. In each 
and every case, though, there ought to be no temporary neglect 
of the plants, as it is quite useless to expect much starved red- 
spider-infested examples to thrive, especially if a dry hot summer 
is experienced. If frame room can be spared transfer the forced 
plants from the heated houses to these, and keep well supplied 
with water, liquid manure, syringing being also beneficial. Frame 
shelter is not absolutely necessary, but good attendance in the 
shape of liberal waterings is, and we have a number of strong 
healthy plants of Noble that have been turned direct into a 
sheltered spot without apparently sustaining any injury. After a 
very little hardening off the sooner they are placed in their 
summer quarters the better is the prospect of heavy second crops 
being had. A sunny border conveniently near to the water 
supply is the best position for the plants, but they should have a 
clear course, as netting over will be imperative when the fruit is 
colouring. Lumpy, newly dug soil is not suitable, but the site, 
in all cases where the soil is of a clayey nature, should have some 
time since been manured and dug, and ere this would have become 
well pulverised, being now easily further fined down and made 
firm and level Prior to planting the forced plants ought to have 
a good soaking of water, and be cleared of all dead leaves and 
runners. It is also advisable to loosen and slightly reduce the old 
ball of soil and roots, as thus treated they take more readily to 
their fresh quarters than is the case when planted intact. Not a 
little depends upon the way in which the planting is done, merely 
sticking such strong plants in the ground ending badly, especially 
if a dry season follows. The balls ought to be sunk slightly below 
the level, and the soil be very firmly rammed down about them. 
When levelled over there should be no trace of the old ball of soil 
and roots, and on the other hand the crowns must not be half 
buried. What the distance apart should be depends upon the 
present size of the plants, but if they are disposed from 15 inches 
to 18 inches apart each way no mistake will have been made. 
During showery seasons the plants are not much further trouble, 
but as a rule they will require to be watered within a week of the 
time they are planted out and at weekly intervals afterwards till 
they are strongly rooted in the fresh soil. Neglect these waterings 
and the chances are not much progress will be made. In any case 
mulch early with partially decayed manure, surfacing this over with 
strawy litter. Thus liberally treated all will throw up numerous 
strong trusses of flowers, and produce, in the case more especially of 
Noble and Auguste Nicaise, really fine fruit. It is a simple matter 
to keep birds from the fruit, but wasps and slugs have also to be 
reckoned with. The fruit is most surely saved from the latter if 
raised off the mulching material with the aid of crinolines, short 
stakes, and circles of raffia, or crutches formed of birch spray. 
Wasps are, or were at one time, the most difficult to combat, and if left 
alone they quickly clear off the ripe fruit. Even these can be kept 
away or destroyed with the aid of a small quantity of Davis’s 
wasp killer. 'This extraordinary syrup has a most remarkable 
effect upon wasps, and that whether used under glass or in the 
open. 
Late crops may be ripened under glass with advantage, and in 
some gardens they are so well done as to form good table orna¬ 
ments for shooting parties and such like. Not unfrequently the 
plants are kept in the same pots they were first fruited in, being 
rather deeply plunged alongside garden walks and kept well 
supplied with water and liquid manure. They root out strongly 
over the rim of the pots into the surrounding soil, and before 
frosts intervene are lifted, cleared of some of the outer roots, and 
set in saucers on Peach house and other shelves, where the crops 
ripen admirably. I find the plants are the least trouble when planted 
out, and pot up readily, if need be in the autumn, without much 
prejudice to the crops. These old forced plants will fruit well the 
following season, that too in spite of their having produced two 
good crops during the preceding season, and if there is a scarcity of 
pot plants or any likelihood of extra large quantities of early fruit 
being required they may be lifted, repotted, and at once placed 
in forcing houses or in frames and pits. Last spring I had 
about 100 strong plants of Noble—forced during the previous 
year—lifted and placed in 8 inch pots when in full flower, and 
from these we gathered a grand lot of fruit when several extra 
large dishes were needed. Outside crops are likely to be later and 
much lighter than was the case last year, and in order to maintain 
an unbroken supply it may yet be necessary or advisable, where the 
stock of pot plants is nearly exhausted, to lift and force a batch. 
Let me advise that the preference be given to old forced plants. 
—W. Iggulden. 
BULB CULTURE AT HOME. 
I SHALL be glad if you will allow me to say a word or two in 
reply to the remarks made by your correspondent “A. D.” under 
this heading in your last issue. That we can grow Narcissi in this 
country is known to everyone, and irrespective of Mr. WalkeFs 
Tulip fields. Tulips have been successfully cultivated in this 
country any time these last 100 years. My great-grandfather made 
more money out of Tulips than ever we are likely to do again. Of 
course those were exhibition varieties, and they received protection 
during the floweiing season ; but that does not detract from the fact 
that they were grown successfully and profitably. I also hear that 
Messrs. Henderson grew garden Tulips successfully fifty years ago, 
as doubtless did many others ; but putting Narcissi and Tulips 
aside, I beg entirely to differ from your correspondent upon the 
question of growing Hyacinths. 
When I see them well grown in this country from the com¬ 
mencement of their lives to the time when they are leidy for sale 
as first-class pot roots, I will believe that our land is suitable for 
them ; but until that comes to pass I shall be of opinion that, 
entirely apart from the question of profit. Hyacinths cannot be 
propagated and grown to perfection in this country. The attempt 
has been made to cultivate them in Belgium, and although the 
climatic conditions are similar, and the soil has been chosen to 
resemble as nearly as possible the bulb fields of Holland, the result 
is very unsatisfactory ; indeed, from a commercial point of view 
an entire failure. Being in Belgium a State-aided industry, the 
question of profit does not so much affect the case, and every effort 
is made to make their cultivation a success. The most experienced 
workmen have been engaged from Holland to superintend the 
work, and the most approved bulb houses have been erected for 
drying and storing the bulbs. I am not sure bow long the experi¬ 
ment has been going on, but it was in full swing during the time 
I was in Belgium in 1870, and I am told that from that time unyil 
now it has been found necessary to import the whole of the young 
