Perhaps there is no time in the year more suitable than the present for saying a few words about Strawberries, when the minds of all engaged in forcing this indispensable fruit will be directed to their plants, in the way of getting ready, and introducing them into heat for their spring supply. As to the autumn supply, there is no reason why Strawberries should not be had the whole year round. What is more appreciated than a dish of fine fruit, say, when all other small fruits outside are done? That this can be accomplished I shall endeavour to show. Much depends upon when the first supply is needed. But that is best known to the cultivators, who have different requirements to provide for. Plants, where introduced into heat for the early spring supply, will - if taken care of and gradually hardened off after the fruit has been gathered, then partially shaken out and repotted - again give ripe fruit towards the end of August or September. The time I consider the fruit most serviceable, is from the end of October to December, after which month Strawberry-growing is not so easy; and to have good fruit then, the plants must be properly prepared for the purpose. The most important point of all is the variety that is best for giving good fruit at that season.

Yicomtesse H. de Thury has hitherto been considered the best; it is now superseded by a variety brought into notice by Mr Hinds - viz., Underbill's Sir Harry, a grand variety for all purposes, and none to equal it for fruiting through the dreariest months of the whole year. The fruit is very large, fine in colour, of good flavour, and continues to throw up its flower-spikes and fruit as freely in winter as in spring and summer.

Where a number of this variety are forced through the spring months, after the fruit is gathered, and the plants hardened off and placed outside in a north aspect, and rested for a time, they will be ready for being partially shaken out and repotted or planted out. They should have liberal supplies of water through the summer. During the month of August they will commence throwing up their flower-spikes freely; and those that were planted out should be lifted by the end of August and potted, placing them in a frame, and keeping them close until they are established. Shelves in vineries and cool Peach-houses are good places for them near the glass, where they set their fruit and flower freely, and can be introduced into the Strawberry-house as required. The air of the house must be kept as dry as possible, with a good circulation of air on all favourable occasions. If the air is allowed to become saturated with moisture, the plants soon go off.

I would, in concluding, point to Mr Hinds's great success in autumn Strawberry-growing: for instance, an excellent dish of fruit was exhibited by him at St George's Hall, Liverpool, on the 20th of November and on the 7th of December I saw an extra fine dish just gathered - the fruit was of good flavour, good size, and well coloured. Mr Hinds will have Strawberries for some time to come - such fruit as many growers would be proud of in the spring.

William Bardney.

[We received a small box of splendid fruits from Mr Hinds on 3d December. - Ed. ]