March 31, 1870. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



230 



THE ORCHARD HOUSE. 



1 S the orchard-bouse system of growing Peaches 



and other fruit trees has been in practice for 

 many years, and the question of its supe- 

 riority or inferiority as compared with the 

 method in general practice at the time of its 

 introduction may be supposed to be finally 

 settled, I think it is desirable to ascertain 

 from experienced growers how far the new 

 system has realised the expectations which 

 were originally entertained of it, and in what 

 particulars it may have failed to do so. There are many 

 amateurs who, in the enthusiasm of the moment, and under 

 the charm of novelty, caught up the idea, and built orchard 

 houses, and who are now disheartened because they have 

 not realised all the wonderful tilings which were predicted 

 from the adoption of the system. Now, I think a discussion 

 of the results of experienced growers up to the present 

 time would tend to revive the hopes of the downcast and 

 place the orchard-house system upon its true basis as 

 compared with other modes of culture. — Amatedr. 



[We forwarded this letter to Mr. Fish, who has sent us 

 the following remarks in reply. — Eds] 



Having several times discussed the subject of orchard 

 houses, I should like "Amateur's" letter to receive some 

 attention from others. Meanwhile, considering orchard 

 houses in general to be glass- covered houses, but other- 

 wise having no artificial heat, I would unhesitatingly pro- 

 nounce in their favour. The disappointments have often 

 been owing to want of attention, ana also to perhaps rather 

 too much enthusiasm, without which nothing great or com- 

 manding has ever been done. For the present, then, I 

 shall confine myself to the questions put. 



First, I think it would simplify matters if orchard houses 

 were not heated artificially ; when so heated they become 

 less or more forcing houses. As a matter of utility, how- 

 ever, there can be no question of the desirability of being 

 able to apply artificial heat when wanted, as to exclude 

 frost in spring, to prevent a check in dull cold weather in 

 summer, to ripen fruit, and especially to ripen the wood 

 well in autumn. I would never despise a stove, a flue, 

 and far less a hot-water pipe in an orchard house, even 

 though these should be little used ; but then we depart 

 from the primary meaning of the orchard house, and may 

 just as well call it a Peach house or a vinery. 



Secondly, a mixed collection of fruit is chiefly advan- 

 tageous to the amateur who wishes to have as much variety 

 in as little space as possible. In a lean-to house I have 

 trees against the back wall, trees or small bush pyramids 

 in pots in front, and Vines up the roof at (! or 7 feet apart. 

 Many with a considerable amount of enthusiasm may 

 adopt the same plan, where they want variety in little 

 space, but the plan is not the best. As Peaches and 

 Nectarines approach maturity, their flavour depends not 

 only on light, but on plenty of air, and consequently less 

 heat in the house ; whilst less air and more warmth would 

 have suited the swelling Grapes. This is the chief draw- 

 back, and therefore, to give each crop the best chance in a 

 No. 470.— Vol. XVUI, New Sebies. 



small space, Grapes should have a division to themselves, 

 and Peaches and Nectarines should be similarly situated. 

 Very fair crops of all may be obtained, but there is the 

 drawback I have noticed. Most of our early Grapes, as 

 Hamburghs, Muscadines, Sweetwaters, &c., will ripen well 

 in an unheated glass house with somewhat large squares 

 of glass, but later kinds would only succeed by shutting 

 up the house early to enclose sun heat, which might not 

 so well suit Peaches ripening. 



As regards the relative merits of pot culture and planting- 

 out in the border, a similar reply must be given. A great 

 variety in little space can be obtained by the pot system, 

 and the plants are more easily kept under control, but they 

 require much more attention, and that more regularly, too, 

 than if they had been planted-out in the border. Water- 

 ing alone is a matter to be thought about, especially if 

 water is at all scarce, and the neglect of watering for a 

 day may make the crop fall. Growing fruit trees in pots 

 is a great source of enjoyment to amateurs, and much 

 good fruit may thus be obtained, more especially if the 

 fruit is sufficiently thinned so as to take only a moderate 

 supply from a small tree. I have fairly tried the pot 

 system, and after its freshness has gone I can imagine 

 how pleasing it must be to many, but still the labour, and 

 especially in watering, is considerable when the number of 

 pots is large. On the whole, were I resolved to grow as 

 much fruit as I could with the least amount of trouble ia 

 a lean-to orchard house, I would have trees against the 

 back wall, and trees planted-out and trained to a low 

 curved trellis in front. 



When houses are not heated artificially, and air is kept osi 

 all night, or given early in the morning, there is less like- 

 lihood of an attack of red spider than in heated houses. 

 A moist atmosphere and the use of the syringe will, with 

 fresh air, be the best preventives. Sulphur spread on hot- 

 water plates, say at Kill", or sulphur placed on quicklime 

 after it has been slaked, will help to dislodge, if not kill, 

 the red spider. Clear soap water is also good. The great 

 remedy and preventive is the syringe or garden engine. 

 — R Fish. 



FUNKIAS. 



What charming border plants Funkias are, but how 

 little attention has been paid to their cultivation, while- 

 enough praise can scarcely be lavished upon them for their 

 decorative qualities ! They flourish almost anywhere, and 

 I do not think that it is saying too much for them that 

 they can scarcely be surpassed, for they are well adapted 

 for either in or out-door decoration They do not reward 

 us, it is true, with their gaudy-coloured flowers, for they are, 

 as far as I am acquainted with them, either approaching 

 white or of rather a leaden or lilac hue ; but their beautiful 

 foliage more than compensates for any lack of colour. 



Of Funkia grandiflora, with its beautiful white flowers 

 and handsome foliage, too much cannot be said. They are 

 sufficient to place it among the very choicest of plants 

 employed for decorative purposes, to say nothing of the 

 delicate perfume it emits. 



F. lanceaofolia is a very desirable plant, and deserves far 



No. 1124-Yol, XLUI., Old Semes. 



