AUGUST. 227 



as In the open air, and many of his interesting experiments in culti- 

 vation and the construction of glass houses had a direct reference to this 

 important end. 



I need not point out to the grower of fruit under glass the absolute 

 necessity of his trees or plants having their full share of light, as this 

 fact is fully substantiated. The superiority of houses for fruit culture, 

 where a large portion of the light which falls on the roof is enabled to 

 pass through, is seen by the excellence of the productions grown under 

 them in comparison with others, where the heavy materials of the roof 

 and small squares of glass cause a considerable portion of the sun's rays 

 to be reflected or thrown back, and therefore useless for every purpose 

 connected with the well-being of the plants within the house. I may, 

 perhaps, here notice, as affording evidence on this part of my subject, 

 the iron and glass forcing-houses in the Royal Gardens at Frogmore, 

 whose productions are unequalled, the new houses at Arundel Castle, 

 and Pennant Castle, Bangor, which are all nearly alike as regards 

 materials and construction, and which are known to produce some of 

 the best specimens of fruit exhibited. 



As regards the form of houses for fruit growing, here again the angle 

 at which the roof is placed is a point which should be carefully studied, 

 and on which there can be no doubt that, where fruit is to be ripened 

 much out of its natural season — i. e., either very early, or late — houses 

 with a considerable angle of elevation are preferable, on account of their 

 admitting more light at those periods of the year to houses with 

 flatter roofs. Lean-to houses we consider better adapted for forcing- 

 houses than those having span roofs, not so much in respect to the 

 quantity of light which passes into them, as in their longer retention of 

 the heat which enters with light, and which, as every gardener 

 knows, escapes more rapidly from houses having glass on all sides, than 

 from those having only glass on one side, and that facing the south. 



The colouring of fruit depends not altogether on the direct action of 

 light on the fruit itself, but on the vigour and consequent healthy action 

 of the leaves, from which source fruits draw the principal part of their 

 support; but they have in addition the power within themselves of 

 organising those peculiar products which give to each particular kind of 

 fruit its value ; all, however, depends on the healthy action of the parts 

 engaged in forming these secretions, for neither can a high or deep 

 colour, nor yet first-rate flavour, be imparted to fruit, if the leaves are 

 unhealthy, and incapable of producing organizable matter of a healthy 

 character. To carry out, therefore, the ripening of fi-uit to its highest 

 point of excellence, the leaves, from their earliest development, must be 

 kept fully exposed to hght, to ensure the healthy action of their organs 

 in furnishing an abundant supply of the necessary food for the fruit 

 while in a young and growing state; and as the fruit approaches 

 maturity, light, and a more full exposure to air than what may even 

 be necessary during the period of growth, should be admitted, to enable 

 the vital force within the fruit itself to perform the changes requisite to 

 give flavour and proper consistence to its component parts. To effect 

 this more effectually, fruits should, if possible (I here allude to forced 

 fruits), be allowed to ripen slowly, that the processes whereby their 



