NOVEL FEATURES

Evening Star, Issue 22382, 4 July 1936, Page 23

NOVEL FEATURES

STRAWBERRIES IN BARRELS For those with limited space in the garden the method of growing strawberry plants in barrels will be interesting and make a novel decorative feature (says the Auckland ‘ Herald ’) Any large stout barrels may be utilised, but if they have contained substances of an oily nature the precaution should be taken to burn the insides before using. In the preparation of the barrels bore six holes in the bottom of each, lin in diameter, to enable the surplus water to escape readily. To ensure a proper aeration of the soil nail together three boards lin thick, 4in in width, and of a length equal to the depth of the barrel. The triangular .pipe thus,formed should have a few holes bored in the sides and be placed' in ah upright position in the centre of the barrel. The soil will hold the pipe in position, and when the barrel has been tilled the upper end of the pipe should be closed with hay or some similar material. A full-sized cask will be large enough to take 18 plants on the sides and six on top. The 18 holes should be distributed over the sides at equal distances apart, and 4in in diameter is about the size of the holes. Each barrel should have a pin layer of drainage materials, and this is covered with some loose substance —moss or fibrous soil. A compost that can be recommended is turfy loam and wellrotted manure, in the proportion of six to one, then adding a sin potful of bonedust and soot to each bushel of soil. , .

The plants should be placed horizontally on the soil opposite the openings, with, of course, the leaves outside. The soil should be rammed firmly, so that it is impossible for it to appreciably sink.

After the airpipe and drainage material have been installed sufficient soil should be placed in the barrel to fill it level with the middle of the lower holes when quite firm. Place the plants in position, one at each opening, then add a second layer of soil, sufficient to reach the next tier of holes when made firm. This is continued until the barrels are filled to within two or three inches of the top. Six plants are then arranged at equal distances apart and a few inches from the sides. The barrels are better for being placed on bricks or a bed of ashes in an open position and carefully; but not excessively, watered, or the mass of soil may he soured. When the flower trusses are in the course of development weak liquid manure may be given a,t intervals of three or four days, until the fruit changes colour. Two or three applications of weak liquid manure after the crop has been gathered will assist the plants in the formation of their crowns for another season. It is advantageous to turn the barrels round every week, to ensure that all the plants receive their duo share of sunlight.