THE FLORAL WORLD AXD GARDEN GUIDE. 163 



producing it, when we make the best possible use of glass, and, to a 

 great extent, escape the vicissitudes of our uncertain springs. One 

 hour of sun to peach-trees in bloom under glass will insure the 

 setting of abundance of fruit ; but the same hour of sun to peach- 

 trees on walls may do harm by pushing them on when there is no 

 likelihood of good weather following, so that the best the cultivator 

 can do for his wall trees is, to screen the sunshine from them. The 

 mere employment of ^lass without the aid of artificial heat, is 

 equivalent to the production of an improved climate ; hence the 

 multiplication of orchard-houses, which have completely changed 

 the aspects of fruit-culture in this country. There have been many 

 mistakes, and there will be mistakes ; but the orchard-house has 

 become an institution, and has amply vindicated its claims by results. 



As we are speaking principally of failures in fruit-growing, it 

 seems advisable to offer a tew words on failures iu orchard-houses. 

 First, then, we may say that small houses are comparatively useless. 

 It is impossible to ventilate small houses in a manner suitable for 

 fruit-trees ; and on the other hand, if they are not ventilated, a few 

 hours' sun makes them destructively hot, as on the other hand, a 

 sharp frost makes them destructively cold. What with rapid and 

 extreme alternations of temperature, and occasional cutting draughts, 

 trees in small houses have but a poor chance to produce a crop of 

 fruit. If it be asked what we mean by the word '' small," we reply 

 that we consider a house thirty feet by fifteen, or thereabouts, to be 

 the smallest in which should be attempted to grow fruit; but if the 

 house is properly proportioned, and built with a view to the purpose 

 it is to be devoted to, the larger it is the better. A great body of 

 air, a broad expanse of glass admitting abundance of light, and 

 a considerable extent of borders retaining for a long time an 

 equable temperature, being neither heated nor cooled quickly, are 

 conditions eminently favourable to the production of fruit ; and in 

 the case of peaches, nectarines, pears, and figs, there is in this 

 country no certainty of fruit without the aid of a suitable structure ; 

 but given a good fruit-house and a skilful cultivator, and we may 

 reasonably expect fruit annually. 



The rough shed-like houses at first recommended by Mr. Rivers 

 never met with much favour. The fact is, amateurs soon tire of 

 ugly contrivances and make-shifts, and as few private persons build 

 for themselves, the construction of a rough house is not generally 

 attended with so great a saving as will sufficiently make amends for 

 lack of appearances. The best possible houses for fruit culture may 

 now be obtained at rates so far below what have been usually 

 hitherto paid for such, that in every good garden an orchard-house 

 should now be considered a desideratum, and, we repeat, the larger 

 it is the better; and to that we add, that if the maximum of fruit 

 produced by a minimum of labour is the object of the proprietor, it 

 is far better to plant the trees in open borders, and to abandon all 

 idea of pot culture. The incessant watering, the annual dressing, 

 and the many other cares that attend the cultivation of fruit-trees in 

 pots, render that mode objectionable in gardens where a few hands 

 have to accomplish much work ; but when the trees are planted out, 



