The Garden Under Glass

178 THE GARDEN UNDER GLASS to ward off heavy rains it will be a decided advantage. From their plunging quarters they may be taken early in the year and be put on a shelf close to the glass in a warm house. The pots' should be washed and dead leaves pulled off the plants. It is probable that for some time the soil will be very wet. When this dries somewhat a slight dressing of Clay’s fertiliser may be sprinkled over the surface soil of each pot and the surface be loosened with a label. With careful watering and forcible syringing they will soon make headway. The syringing should be stopped during the flowering, but be resumed afterwards until the fruit shows colour. To ensure pollination and the formation of shapely fruits the blooms should be lightly touched at midday with a rabbit’s tail. When the fruit has set, thinning may take place. The usual and com-mendable plan is to reduce the number of fruit to six on each plant. The opportunity will then occur to give the fruit some support by the use of twiggy pieces of birch. From this time onward they will require much water, must never be allowed to flag, and in addition to fortnightly top-dressing of dry fertiliser, they will receive much benefit from frequent watering with manure and soot water. But these stimulants and the syringing must cease as the fruit colours and the plants will benefit by removal to cooler, drier and more airy quarters. By introducing a few plants into heat each fortnight a succession of fruit may be kept up.