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XI. — On the Effect of Glazed Trellises for Peaches. By 

 Robert TIiompsf)n. 



In September, 1(S50, it was reported that some peaches laid be- 

 fore the Garden Committee had been grown on a glazed trellis, 

 put up exactly according to a plan recommended by Henry Bel- 

 lenden Ker, Esq., and Mr. Rivers. The peaches were ripe next 

 the sun, but their under sides were hard. This produce could 

 not, however, be considered to afford conclusive evidence, as it 

 was that of the first year after planting ; and in this operation 

 it was necessary to reverse the trees, otherwise they could not 

 have been fixed to the trellis. The blossom buds previously 

 formed towards the sun were turned downwards. 



It was afterwards suggested by Mr. Rivers that the sashes 

 should be brought nearer the trellis : this was accordingly done. 

 The sides were also banked up, so as to leave a clear opening 

 of only 3 inches along the north, east, and west sides, wliilst a 

 sheet of perforated blackened zinc was extended from the ground 

 to the sashes along the whole of the south side. Under tliese 

 arrangements the experiment was continued during the season of 

 1851. 



By this time the trees were well established, healthy, and in 

 condition to bear a good crop of fruit. The spring was unfa- 

 vourable ; and although the sashes would doubtless be sufficient 

 protection for the blossom against slight frosts, yet it may be 

 useful to state the fact, that these sashes did not sufficiently 

 protect the blossoms when 7° of frost occurred last April, and 

 that moreover the blossoms under the sashes suffered more than 

 those against the open south wall. 



In September, 1851, some peaches grown on the glazed trellis 

 were again exhibited to the Garden Committee. They were red, 

 and their skins beginning to crack from over-ripeness, next the 

 sun, a proof that they were well exposed ; but the luider sides 

 were hard and green, and had not swelled equal to the sunned 

 sides. The nights of last summer were often unusually cold and 

 unfavourable to the experiment ; and if the openings round the 

 frame had been closed, or nearly so, during these cold niglits, 

 the thorough ripening would have been greatly assisted. But this 

 would have assimilated the glazed frame to a peach-house, and 

 all fair comparison between it and the open wall must have 

 ended. On the latter the same sort of peach ripened thoroughly 

 at least ten days before that in the frame ripened partially. 

 From this the result of the experiment may be fairly estimated, 

 and the plan certainly cannot be recommended. 



