I873-] MANAGEMENT OF FORCING -HOUSES. 135 



ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT OF FORCING-HOUSES. 



Much has been written in the pages of ' The Gardener ' these two or 

 three years about the Peach, a good deal of which has been rather con- 

 flicting : one recommends a night temperature not exceeding 45^ to 

 start with ; and I have observed the writer of the Calendar recom- 

 mends starting at SO'', and the same writer recommends syringing with 

 water at a temperature of 80°. When I find rain falling in March at 

 a temperature of 80^, I may be induced to adopt this practice. A 

 third, the worthy Mr Simpson of Wortley, recommends the free use 

 of the syringe when the trees are in bloom. Mr S. is somewhat given 

 to startling ideas, and I must say I admire his progressive notions, 

 although I have not observed anything new among them. All the 

 above recommendations might be harmless under certain circum- 

 stances, while under other circumstances they might be hurtful, to say 

 the least ; and what might be pursued with safety in Mr vSimpson's 

 well-appointed structures, might involve considerable loss where 

 Peaches are grown under difficulties. For instance, if some tyro of 

 an evening in February acts on Mr Simpson's advice, syringes his 

 Peach-blossom freely at shutting time, having no adequate command 

 of heat, and two or three gloomy days follow in succession, with a 

 raw hoary air outside, such as we experience here at the present mo- 

 ment, I need not ask any gardener who knows how to grow Peaches 

 what the result would be to the blossom, while it might be no injury 

 whatever to the trees. In the same manner, some varieties of Peaches 

 might be started with impunity at a night temperature of 50^ : but if 

 first-class Peaches are wanted, they will do better between 40° and 45°. 

 When above the latter degree, I have always a little ventilation on, 

 if the weather is such as to admit of it. I have something more 

 to say about the Peach that may occupy another paper : meantime, 

 with the worthy Editor's permission, I will proceed to draw attention 

 to some more of what has been advanced of late. It appears, from an 

 article by J. S. in your December number of ' The Gardener,' that 

 our employers may congratulate themselves. According to the opinion 

 of J. S., as far as the forcing of Muscat Vines and Peaches is 

 concerned, we may haul out our boilers and pipes. What a blessing 

 when iron is so high in price, and coals so difficult to obtain at any 

 price ! Young lads need not disturb themselves any longer waiting 

 up of nights attending the fires, and masters may take mat- 

 ters easy, and then go to bed ; no use for your nocturnal rounds to 

 see how the stokers are doing their duty. Your Muscat-houses will 

 do well if the temperature oscillates between 100° at mid-day, and 50°, 

 or even 45°, at sunrise. This is what I call " gardening made easy," 



