Put a quantity of these in heat, according to the stock of plants and room. We prefer, for very early forcing, plants that are in 5-inch pots. If a fermenting bed of leaves in a light pit, on which the plants can be placed near the glass, can be afforded, it is an excellent place for starting them at this season. Begin with a heat of 50°, and give a little air every day. See that the stock of plants are where frost will not break the pots, and where at the same time they are cool and moist at the root. Worms in the pots should also be guarded against, and no plant with a worm about its roots should be placed in heat.

Strawberries In Pots Forcing #1

Very early started plants may be in bloom by the end of the month. Until they are set, do not let the night-temperature be more than 55°, and give a little air every day, guarding against cold currents coming in contact with the blooms. Put more plants into heat fortnightly, and let forcing be commenced very gently.

Strawberries In Pots Forcing #2

A good many forced Strawberries come into bloom this month; and if the weather be very cold, the setting of the crop is a critical point. Avoid, as one of the chief causes of disaster, high temperatures by mere force of fire. Let the night temperature sink to 45°, rather than have it high by singeing-hot pipes. Give air constantly, more or less, but beware of currents of frosty air among the blooms. Early crops swelling off, on the other band, stand a good deal of heat, and, unless in exceptionally severe weather, may range to 60° at night. Water freely at the roots, but avoid having plates under the pots. Thin the fruits where they have set thickly. Bring on succession batches slowly, as recommended last month.

Strawberries In Pots Forcing #3

See former calendars. Introduce more plants into heat. Keep red-spider in check by syringing all plants not in bloom, and that are not colouring fruits. Place plants from which the crop is gathered in cold frames, to be hardened off before being planted out.

Strawberries In Pots Forcing #4

The crops from these will now be nearly all gathered, and any that are not now ripe may be removed to cold pits or frames, where they are not so likely to be attacked with spider, to which Strawberries in pots are very subject at this season if standing on hot dry shelves in houses. As soon as runners can be had, commence layering plants for next year's crop. These will be later than usual this year, and the first should be secured, for all those intended for early forcing should be in their fruiting-pots by the middle of July at the latest. As soon as layered, keep them well watered, and stop runners beyond the young plants.

Strawberries In Pots Forcing #5

Plants intended for early forcing should be in their fruiting-pots the first week of this month. For the earliest lot 5-inch pots are large enough, but for the general stock of plants 6-inch pots are the best and most convenient size. The soil used should be a rather strong loam, with a third of such as old mushroom-bed manure mixed with it. Pot the plants firmly. Place them in a sunny exposure, and on some material that will prevent worms from getting into the pots. Water freely, and keep them free from runners. Syringe the foliage about five o'clock in the afternoon when the weather is warm and dry.

Strawberries In Pots Forcing #6

If these were shifted into their fruiting-pots last month as we recommended, they will now be making rapid growth. If the weather be warm and dry they will take liberal supplies of water, and as the pots get well filled with roots, give occasional waterings of manure-water. See that they are not allowed to become crowded, but give them room enough to keep the foliage well apart. They should be standing in an open situation, and on a porous dry bottom, into which the roots must not be allowed to penetrate. On fine evenings sprinkle them overhead with clean water, and keep them free from weeds and runners.

Strawberries In Pots Forcing #7

If former directions have been carried out, these will have well filled their pots with roots; and should the weather be bright and dry, give them manure-water three times weekly. Keep them free of runners and weeds, and see that they do not get crowded.

Strawberries In Pots Forcing #8

These should now have thoroughly tilled their pots with roots, and have strong prominent crowns. If very wet weather occurs for any length of time lay the pots on their sides, and should any of the plants be too late, remove them to cold frames and put glass over them, keeping them near the glass and freely aired, to get their growth more matured than could be in the open air.

Strawberries In Pots Forcing #9

These should now be plunged in cold frames, or placed in orchard-houses or any cool airy place where severe frosts cannot reach them, or many of the pots may get broken. See that they are never allowed to become dry, nor so placed that worms get into the pots.

Strawberries In Pots Forcing #10

Put a quantity of these into such as the early Peach - house and vinery, where no Strawberry-house proper exists. But where they can be placed on a bed of fermenting leaves close to the glass, it is the best place for them. Put those in the smallest pots in heat first. See that there are no worms in the soil, and that it is moist. Do not exceed a night-heat of 50° till they have started to grow, and give them more or less air every day.