i879-] FORCING AND FUEL. 59 



forced Grapes in the London market comes from the Channel Islands, 

 where the heat of the sun is found to be cheaper than coal, which 

 points the possibility of flooding our markets with the best Grapes 

 from the south of France, and it only awaits an enterprising practical be- 

 ginning to open the way, just as the American meat question has been 

 solved. Who will say that we may not yet have ship-loads of American 

 Peaches poured into our markets, like Bananas, or Mackerel from Kin- 

 sale, equally perishable 1 Till then, however, our forcing must go on, 

 since it has descended to a matter of business, in the most economical 

 manner possible. We have to consider first how coals are to be saved, 

 and second, how to realise the greatest possible return. Now in the 

 matter of economy of fuel, in these winter days, there will be some- 

 thing like fourteen hours of darkness, when the fire has all the duty to 

 perform in the shape of keeping up temperature ; during those fourteen 

 hours the whole of the glass of the forcing-house may be covered with 

 some protecting material, such as mats or canvas ; as a little additional 

 darkness is of no moment, this will conserve the indoor temperature 

 enormously, and consequently economise fuel. In forcing-houses no 

 more glass should be used in their construction than is absolutely neces- 

 sary ; and fronts and ends may sometimes be matted up permanently 

 in winter with advantage. Economy of fuel is much in the hands of 

 the stoker — he should be no sluggard in the morning ; fires should be 

 stirred long before sunrise, to anticipate and assist the coming light 

 and sunshine ; by day it will generally be sufficient, with no additional 

 fuel, if by managing the furnace the heat is prevented from escaping 

 by the chimney. 



But great as is the importance of economising fuel, the best economy 

 is, after all, a good and successful crop. Half a crop, or no crop, with 

 only the trees to be kept in health for another essay, is a poor return 

 for coals and labour. Given the subject to be forced, in good condition, 

 the most essential matter is to drive cautiously. When one starts to 

 drive a long journey, to get quickly and safely to the end of it the 

 horse must not be put to his full speed at the beginning, neither must 

 he be left to his own natural walking pace, but with a gentle control of 

 the reins, keeping him well in hand, using the whip judiciously, and 

 using up his remaining pace at the finish. The forcing of fruits are just 

 something after the same analogy ; if you wish to get there in April 

 with your Grapes, begin the journey quietly in November — a month later 

 will do for Peaches— but at all times, especially at beginning and mid 

 journey, spare the energies of the trees, drive steadily, avoiding fits and 

 starts and over-excitement,— it is the rock the inexperienced often split 

 upon in the anxiety to get there. A weak horse will pull you through 

 with careful driving ; the strong may do the same, in spite of misman- 

 agement, when the weak would break down at once. Again, let the 

 load be no greater than your horse or tree can carry ; overloading, or the 

 last straw, breaks the camel's back. 



