B&.77GE OF OECHABD-HOUSEa. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



OBC HARD -HO USES. 



808. The orchard-house is a very simple, but, nevertheless, a distinctive 

 structure, perfectly efficient for all practical purposes, and its projector claims 

 for it that it confers all the benefits of a warm climate without their sometimes 

 oppressive heat. Mr. Kivers was led to adopt orchard-house cultivation by 

 observing the effect produced on some figs in pots, which he had occasion to 

 turn out of a greenhouse, and which were accidentally placed on a border in 

 another house. The roots penetrated through the drainage-hole in the 

 bottom of the pot, and spread themselves over the border, giving to the plants 

 an unusually vigorous and healthy growth. In due season the pots were 

 taken up, and the external roots pruned close with a sharp knife, and placed 

 on a shelf suitable for them during their season of rest. 



809. The following spring they were placed in the same boi'der, but, by 

 enlarging the drainage-hole, an increased growth of the roots was encouraged. 

 Theresult justified his expectations: an unusual disjilay of fruit followed the 

 experiment. He now reasoned that if figs could be grown in small pots, by 

 supplying extra nourishment, why not peaches, nectarines, pears, and other 

 fruit. This he now does to a large extent, with the certainty of a crop propor- 

 tioned to his exertions. 



810. A visit to Mr. Rivers's grounds, to which he invites all comers with 

 so much hospitality, is at first rather disappointing, and it is^necessary to 

 recall the fact, from time to time, that Mr. Rivers's business is to grow and 

 sell trees, and not fruit. Nevertheless, in the course of a walk round the 

 grounds, the visitor cannot but be satisfied that all the statements as to the 

 productiveness of his orchard-houses can be verified. He carries you to a small 

 house, which is nothing more than a pit dug in the ground, the soil being a 

 fine rich sandy loam, and over the pit, some 10 feet wide, a range of ordinary 

 frame-lights, about 10 or 12 feet long, are raised, so as to form a sort of lean-to 

 roofed house, which probably cost, with the ends and doors, a matter of £10, 



