December 18, 1897. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
243 
VEITCH'S GENUINE SEEDS. 
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Edited by J. FRASEP, F.L.S. 
SATURDAY , DECEMBER 18: h, 1897. 
Worcing Strawberries at Cornell 
— University. —The professors at the 
Agricultural Experiment Station, Ithaca, 
New York, have been trying their hands at 
the work of the professional, or at least 
have been superintending and directing 
operations. With Professor L. H. Bailey, 
the wi iter of numerous useful and interesting 
books, we are familiar ; but his colleague 
iu this case (Mr. C E. Hunn) may be a 
practical gardener. Some interest attaches 
to their experiments, if only from the fact 
that the methods of procedure for the 
forcing of Strawberries in America are 
very similar to our own, the chief differences 
being in climate, the varieties of Straw¬ 
berries used, and in the hints that the 
scientific mind has to offer after a maiden 
trial at forcing Strawberries, the general 
results of which were highly successful. 
The first complaint or grumble made was 
concerning climate, and that trait is fully 
applicable to our home growers, with a 
great deal more reason or cause, however. 
From December 1st to February 1st there 
was not a full day of clear sunshine. In 
the neighbourhood of London, sunshine 
during the same period is often reduced to 
a minimum, and none whatever can be 
guaranteed for certain. 
Three batches of plants were grown at 
Cornell University, but with the exception 
of the time for performing the various 
operations, the treatment was practically 
very similar in all cases. Plants were 
procured of the variety Beder Wood, and 
planted in rich, mellow ground on the 6th 
May for the purpose of procuring runners. 
This was admitted to be late, and the 
planting was followed by a dry season, thus 
retarding growth. On the 10th July, 2-^ in. 
pots were plunged under the runners in¬ 
tended for the first batch. After being 
allowed to root for a space of fourteen days, 
the plants were removed and shifted into 
4 in. pots, and the latter transferred to cold 
frames This was effected on the 14th 
Ju y; the next repotting into 5 in. pots 
on the 8th September ; while the final 
shift into the fruiting pots (6 in.) was 
accomplished on the 26th of that month. 
Sashes were placed over them on the 
approach of cold weather, but no other 
protection was furnished till nearly mid¬ 
winter, during which time they were 
allow ed to freeze till the soil was perfectly 
solid. The freezing was not consilered in 
any way essentid; hut it was assumed 
that it induced a perfect cessation of growth 
and therefore rest, which probably added 
to the vigour and productiveness of the 
plants. It was expected also that the 
freezing would kill red spider and other 
pests. This might apply to the pests in an 
active state, but we doubt if any impression 
would be made upon their eggs. 
On the 28th of December, the first batch 
of plants, numbering 450, was taken into 
a house with a night temperature of 45 0 ; 
and all the dead leaves were trimmed off. 
Leaves began to make their appearance on 
the 6th January, together with some spots 
of rust, for which they were thoroughly 
sprayed with ammoniacal carbonate of 
copper, which arrested the disease. The 
house was also vapourised with an extract 
of tobacco to keep insects at bay. By the 
1st February the flowers began to open, 
and on the 9th of the same month the plants 
were transferred to a house with a night 
temperature of 65°. They were staged as 
close as possible to the glass, the house 
being rather deep and relatively unsuitable 
for this kind of work. The berries were 
well coloured by the 6th of March, picking 
commenced on the nth, and was continued 
for about ten days. On being sold in 
Ithaca they fetched two dollars (8s. 4d.) 
per quart 
While the plants were coming into bloom 
the leaves were small and scanty, giving 
rise to fears whether the foliage would be 
sufficient to support a lull crop of fruit. 
There was no failure on this score, however, 
as practical men in this country well know. 
The pollen was very scanty, especially 
during sunless and moist weather, but great 
care was taken to distribute the pollen 
by artificial means. A soft brush was 
used to transfer the scanty pollen from the 
anthers to the stigmas in the centre of the 
flower. This plan might with great ad¬ 
vantage be adopted by all who force 
Strawberries in Britain. Although the 
varieties of Strawberries here are usually 
far better supplied with pollen than in the 
case of American varieties, yet the much 
damper atmosphere and the general lack of 
sunshine are prevailing conditions of our 
climate that would make the artificial 
distribution of pollen a paying operation. 
To insure well-shaped berries, care should 
be taken that all of the stigmas should be 
carefully pollinated. As iu the case of all 
other hot-house plants, pollen is always 
more easily obtainable while the sun is 
shining and the atmosphere of the house 
