There has been much written lately about the preparation of Strawberries for forcing, both in 'The Gardener' and in the horticultural papers - some recommending exposure to all weathers, and others more or less protection. I think the value of the Strawberry as an autumn and winter fruit has not received the attention it deserves. Mr Bardney's article in your January number is a step in the right direction. And it is in hopes that my experience in the same way may be of benefit to some of your readers that I add my testimony. Gardeners situated as I am here, who have to grow all my own dessert, will justly realise the value of a handsome dish of Strawberries during the shooting season. A few plants of Garibaldi Strawberries that I lifted in the autumn of 1877 having proved very useful, I determined last season to grow my early plants with the view of an autumn and winter crop as well as a spring one; and the result so far exceeded my expectations, that I have been able to send in a dish of Strawberries any time they were required since the beginning of September - not merely a dozen or two, but sometimes as many as six dozen, and that from a limited quantity of plants.

At present - the 3d of January - I have a good crop of fair-sized, well-coloured fruit, and will continue to have for at least a month to come. The flavour until December was all that could be desired. Since then, owing to damp, sunless weather, the flavour is rather deficient; but still the Strawberries are valuable as a dish for the dessert. For the advantage of any who may wish to try the experiment, I will say, do not over-crop in spring, rather sacrifice a few berries than keep them too long in hot, dry quarters; be very careful in hardening off; then plant out in the best part of the garden you can spare, without injuring the ball. They will require little more attention, with the exception of watering in very dry weather. If planted in rotation, they will succeed each other in autumn, the earliest forced coming soon after the late outside ones, from which in favourable seasons a good supply may be gathered in the open air. Lift those for autumn and winter in batches, leaving the last out as long as they are safe from frost: use pots a size larger than the plants were turned out of. Keep them rather close until established, then place them in any dry, airy house.

My Strawberries have been grown until lately in the same houses where they were forced in spring - viz., an early vinery and peach-house - the proper treatment of the permanent occupants of the houses, and not the Strawberries, being considered. The sort grown is Garibaldi, alias Vicomtesse H. de Thury. I believe it could be quite possible to encircle the year with Strawberries from that one variety.

Robert Carter. Waresley Park.