330 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
January 25 , 1890. 
I observe, that whilst the latter seems to think a big- 
invested fund everything, I regard it as a sort of 
damnatics lucreditas, productive of lassitude and, 
perhaps, corruption later. Mr. Barron, however, 
thinks that some alteration in the rules, which will 
enable certain amounts to be immediately utilised for 
the benefit of orphans is desirable. So do I. Perhaps 
just when the fund is so rich there will be no orphans 
to maintain.— A. D. 
-- 
THE STRAWBERRY AND ITS 
CULTIVATION. 
Of all our summer fruits, the advent of the Strawberry 
is looked forward to with more pleasurable anticipation 
by all sorts and conditions of men, women, and 
children, than any other. We can look back now 
with pleasure to the time when by some fortuitous 
circumstance we had the privilege of gathering them 
when wet with the morning dew, and eating to our 
heart’s content; and no greater treat in this way can 
be given to young people, and few which will do them 
so much good. Strawberries and cream, with perhaps a 
dash of “Long John” for the epicure ; Strawberries and 
dew for the children ; in either health or sickness 
Strawberries ripe and fresh gathered are welcomed by 
all, and while many may be found who care little for 
some other fruits, there are few who refuse this 
universal favourite. 
At the present time there are hundreds of acres under 
this crop, to perhaps one in the time of our grandsires, 
and although the prices obtained by some of our large 
growers may not at times be as remunerative as could be 
desired, yet in spite of this, very many get little or none 
of this fruit, and vast numbers who do, only such as is 
in a comparatively stale and bruised condition. These 
have no fitting opportunity of forming a just estimate 
of what well-ripened and fresh-gathered Strawberries 
are like. For this reason a more diffused cultivation of 
this fruit is desirable in the interests of the community 
at large, and this work, we think, could well be 
undertaken by cottagers and small holders who could 
generally find a ready market for their produce within 
a reasonable distance. In these days, too, of cycling, 
there are thousands of wheelmen who would only be too 
glad to run out from ten to twenty miles to regale 
themselves with this fruit, and carry some back home 
with them. A knowledge of the whereabouts of 
Strawberry gardens would be an addition to the 
attractions of many a romantic country village which 
these roadsmen have a liking for. 
It is happily one of those things which can be grown 
in very diverse soils, although, like most fruits, a good 
friable loam is the best suited for its requirements. 
We find it successfully managed in light sand and the 
most adhesive of clays. The following remarks on its 
cultivation are made more in the interests of cottagers 
and small holders than professional gardeners and 
market growers, so that some methods practised by 
them will not be dwelt upon in this place. 
PROPAGATION BY LAYERS. 
Those who have pots of suitable size available will do 
well to select the earliest and strongest runners, filling 
the pots with a free open compost, and plunging them 
in the soil to the rims. This entails a little more 
labour at the outset, but in the event of dry weather 
it will be found well-directed labour, saving much time 
in watering. Lay the runners on the surface of the 
soil, and either peg them down with short wooden pegs, 
or place a stone on the runners to keep them in position. 
They must be kept moist by watering dui'ing dry weather, 
and remain attached to the parent plant till well rooted 
in the pots. Then they may be detached and placed 
in a partially shaded position till every thing is ready 
for planting operations. Any fresh runners proceeding 
from these young plants should be cut away to throw 
all the strength into one crown. 
If pots are not available, select as many of the 
strongest runners as may be required, cutting away all 
others, and let them remain on the ground till well 
rooted, when, if the ground is ready, they may be 
taken at once to their .fruiting quarters. Should it 
happen that planting has to be deferred till late in the 
autumn or spring, the young plants had better be 
bedded out m beds, at from 4 ms. to 6 ins. from 
plant to plant. Plantations made in July will give 
some fruit the following season. 
Making Fresh Plantations. 
If depth of soil admits, it is far better to trench 
the soil two spits deep, working in a good dressing 
of manure between the spits ; but in shallow soils 
be content with moving it one spit, for it is 
better to do this than to bring up a lot of crude, 
sour soil to the surface. Take small spits, and 
see that the manure is well distributed. When 
ready, make the surface of the soil level and compara¬ 
tively firm by treading and raking, then line out the 
ground in rows 3 ft. apart, setting the plants at 2 ft. 
from hill to hill. Put three plants in each hill, and 
make them firm. This is best done with a short 
thick stick. 
Plants from pots or ground should be put in with a 
trowel, not with a dibble, as by so doing the roots get 
twisted and jammed together, and plants so treated are 
longer in making a start than those with which a little 
extra care is taken in placing the roots straight. The 
space we advocate will appear to many more than the 
requirements seem to warrant, but after the first year 
it is not more than sufficient to secure the full exposure 
of the fruit to the influences of the sun and air, and as 
a crop of early Lettuce may be taken from between the 
rows during the first season, there is not so much waste 
of ground as some might think. 
After Cultivation. 
During the growing period, beyond keeping them clear 
of weeds, limiting the growth of runners to the require¬ 
ments of fresh plantations, and well watering when 
necessary from the commencement of the flowering 
period until the fruit begins to ripen, nothing more 
should be required until after it is gathered. In 
reference to watering, we would add that unless well 
done it is almost useless ; half measures are of little 
avail. We advocate giving a liberal dressing of half- 
decayed manure during the autumn or winter months, 
and letting it remain on the surface to gradually decay, 
so that by the next fruiting season it forms the best of 
mulching. Where this is not done, clear off all weeds 
not later than May, and mulch with either straw litter 
or tau, and clippings of Laurel and other evergreens 
may be used if not too woody. Lawn grass mowings 
are frequently used, but are very objectionable, as the 
short grass, when dry, adheres to the fruit. Should 
the weather be wet it rots, and then produces one of 
the vilest compounds for this purpose imaginable. 
The resting period we date from the final gathering 
of the fruit. When this is done, clear away all runners 
not required, dead leaves, and weeds, in order to admit 
all the light and air possible to the plants, taking care 
not to destroy any foliage belonging to the fruit¬ 
bearing subjects. Keep clear of weeds until winter, 
and when convenient give a liberal dressing of half- 
decayed manure, spreading it evenly over the ground, 
and there let it remain for the rain to wash the enriching 
constituents down to the roots. By lettiug it remain 
on the surface without digging it in, all disturbance of 
the roots is also avoided, and as above stated, they are 
ready mulched when the fruiting time comes round 
again. As to the length of time each plantation should 
remain on the ground, as a general rule, three years 
should be the longest time allowed. There are some 
localities where they will continue productive for a 
longer period, but they are exceptional. 
Kinds to Grow. 
Young beginners will do well to ascertain the sorts 
which do best in their own localities. The number of 
kinds sent out from time to time are very numerous, 
and many of them are seldom heard of after a few 
years ; while a few old standard varieties which do 
well almost everywhere are well known, and widely 
grown, and can be recommended with confidence. 
President, Sir J. Paxton, Keen’s Seedling, Elton Pine, 
Sir C. Napier, give ample variety for most people ; 
King of Earlies, The Captain, and Noble are winning 
their way into popular favour, and may be tried on a 
limited scale with advantage.— fV. B. G. 
-->Z<-- 
THE ALPINE HOUSE AT KEW. 
A visit to Kew Gardens on a recent fine afternoon, and 
a particular peep at the contents of this interesting 
hardy-plant structure, revealed the fact that the 
processes of nature, if not already in full progress, soon 
will be, for “Nature in her sleep is never still,” and 
even now the sap is stirring in her veins. The mere 
protection of a glass roof sufficeth, with a suitable 
selection of plants, to coax out many flowers—to induce 
prematurely the gems of early spring to display their 
charms. The vernal glories of spring may here be 
seen in advanco, like the vanguard of an army, 
behind which will surely follow countless numbers in 
rich profusion. 
But what an afternoon it was ! What a glorious May 
day in mid-winter ! No wonder Nature smiles ; no 
marvel flowers do bloom, for does not the thermometer 
indicate 50° in the shade ? And old Sol, too, is bright 
and gay, and sheds his inspiring rays on animals 
and plants alike. Surely this is the golden age; 
surely this is the precursor of a fruitful summer ! 
But, poetry on one side, is it not remarkable that, 
at this early season of the unripened year, the 
average temperature of which is 865 °, the birds should 
be musically inclined, and Dame Nature herself should 
be so festive and kind 1 
Piease pardon this diversion, and find below annexed 
a complete list of plants in bloom at the period of my 
visit. The Hellebores, of course, must occupy the 
premier place, and these are here represented in fine 
form. H. niger and its varieties, major and 
maximus, Italian and Kiverstoni are in beautiful con¬ 
dition, and H. caucasicus, with its pale green flowers, 
adds a little contrast to the pure white of its more 
popular congener, the true Christmas Bose. The 
bright yellow blossoms of another plant of the same 
order, namely, Eranthis hyemalis, which are Buttercup¬ 
like and sessile, are, by reason of their colour, very 
conspicuous. The same might be said of the sweet- 
scented Italian Crocus, C. Imperati, with its lilac-purple 
interior, and dark purple-lined exterior ; the bright 
orange of C. aureus, the parent of our yellow garden 
varieties ; the various coloured tints of C. versicolor, 
which range from white to puiple, and externally 
beautifully veined or feathered, the anthers of which 
are yellow and very prominent; the self-coloured 
C. suaveolens completing the species here displayed. 
Triteleia uniflora, the spring Starflower, with its pale 
lilac blossoms and refreshing glaucous green foliage, 
has arrived before the time to cheer us by anticipation ; 
the Iris reticulata, clothed in the richest deep purple, 
here welcome us, and Narcissus bulboeodium nivalis, 
with its tiny golden yellow bells, attracts the attention 
of the campanologist, who, if he listens attentively, 
will surely fancy sweet sounds to proceed therefrom. 
Primula obconica, the dangerous, if not poisonous 
Primrose from central China, although so baneful iu 
its effects upon some people, will, I trust, be not alto¬ 
gether discarded from our plant-houses, as its flowers 
are not only pretty and pleasing, but they are nearly 
always en evidence. Primula Fortunei, with quite a 
different habit and character, is also here with its deli¬ 
cate umbels of pale lilac flowers. Hepatica triloba, 
varieties rubra and ccerulea, are struggling into bloom ; 
and the Iberis, both saxatilis and gibraltarica, with 
their ivory-white corymbose heads of bloom. The 
Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) completes the list, and 
includes a fine form called Fosteri. 
The remarkable and beautiful display of floral forms 
here presented testify to the fact that even in mid¬ 
winter much may be done, with hardy plants alone, 
to render the cold greenhouse gay, cheerful and 
interesting.— 0. B. G., Acton, IF. 
-->Z<-- 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
The Propagating Frame. 
Those in possession of a greenhouse heated with either 
flues or hot-water pipes can propagate all or nearly all 
the plants they require at very little extra cost for 
firing than is necessary to keep out frost and dispel 
damp ; and if the temperature be kept up to 45 3 at 
night, with a slight rise during the day for the sake of 
flowering plants, there will be no difficulty at all iu the 
matter, and of a large number of plants from now onwards 
till May a large stock of cuttings may be rooted. All 
that is necessary is to erect a temporary frame in a 
warm corner over the flue or liot-water pipes. A few 
boards will form the framework and bottom. The 
latter should be moderately open in order to allow the 
escape of superfluous moisture after watering. Then a 
glass top will complete the outfit. The size will, of 
course, depend upon the requirements. In very small 
houses a box or two may be extemporised for the pur¬ 
pose, covering them with a large pane of glass. If they 
are close or in any way water-tight at the bottom, bore 
a few holes at intervals in them. Place a layer of 
broken pots or tiles over the bottom, and cover this 
with moss, or some rough and slightly rotted leaves. 
Then make up a compost consisting of loam, leaf-soil 
and sand in about equal proportions, or rather more of 
leaf-soil to make it light and open. It would be all 
the better to sift the loam and leaf-soil through a 
moderately fine sieve in order to get rid of the lumps, 
and equalise the compost for small cuttings. Fill up 
the frame or box with this prepared soil, and after 
making it moderately firm by pressing it down equally 
all over with the hands, put on a layer of sand about a 
J in. thick so as to form an even coating. Give a good 
watering through a rosed watering pot to settle the 
soil, and leave it for a day or two until the soil gets 
warmed up before inserting cuttings. After the latter 
have been put in, water must be applied in the same 
way, and but little will be required at this early season 
if the soil is not too shallow. The condition of the 
soil should always be observed, and water given when 
getting dry. 
