The Garden Under Glass

CHAPTER XVI FORCING STRAWBERRIES IN POTS If the details of culture which I am going to outline be well followed I feel sure that a good reward of fruit will be the result. Strawberry culture in pots is by no means difficult, so I hope all readers who have the opportunity will endeavour to grow a few dozens. Choosing Strawberry Runners There can be no question about the faet that if good strawberry plants are wanted a good start must be made, and this can best be done by selecting good runners for layering. The policy of severe selection is one which needs to be emphasised. It is not, I know, always convenient or even possible to follow good counsel, but as there is no inconvenience or impossibility in giving it, and as it is always well to aim high, I would advise this policy in strawberry culture—and it applies to outside or inside culture : allow no fruit on plants intended for runners, and no runners on plants intended for fruit. Unless the space at disposal is so restricted as to render good gardening impossible, a few plants should be set aside especially for the production of runners. Allow only five runnets on each plant, cut off all others, as well as secondary runners, and allow neither flower nor fruit on these plants. With the ground kept clean, the runners fully exposed, the