ORCHARD-HOUSES. 207 



lumps as big as an egg. In the border thus composed, two rows of trees may bo 

 placed ; the front row 3 feet apart ; the second being in the rear, zigzag- fashion, 

 but half-way between, so that they are each 3 feet from stem to stem, and 

 none shading the other. Such a house as this, without artificial heat, is intended 

 for protection only, and not for forcing ; but it would, Mr. Rivers thinks, 

 grow oranges and camellias successfully, if the house could be heated in very 

 severe weather so as to prevent it falling at any time below 26°. The most 

 severe frost would not injure tea-scented roses so sheltered ; but the house is 

 essentially intended for the protection of fruit-trees, whether planted in the 

 borders or in pots, and has the effect of bringing us, without artificial heat, to 

 the temperature of Angers, in the south of France, where the royal muscadine 

 grape usually ripens in the open air on the 25th of August. 



8i8. The use Mr. Rivers proposes to make of the first structure is the cul- 

 ture of peaches, vines, and figs, in pots. Selecting a straight-stemmed maiden 

 peach or nectarine, well furnished with lateral buds, and not more than four or 

 five feet high, it is planted in an 11-inch pot, and each lateral shoot is cwt in to 

 two buds. As soon as the shoots have made three leaves, the third is pinched ofiF, 

 leaving two, not reckoning, however, one or two small leaves generally found 

 at the base of each shoot. These pinched shoots soon put forth a fi'esh crop 

 of buds, each of which, and all succeeding ones, must be pinched off to one 

 leaf as soon as two or three leaves are formed. 



819. " This incessant pinching off the shoots of a potted pyramid-tree, in 

 the climate of an orchard-house, will, in one season, form a compact cypress- 

 like tree, crowded with short fruit-spurs." In spring, these will require to be 

 thinned, and every season the shoots will require to be pinched off as above 

 described. 



820. Dwarf, pj-ramidal, peach, and nectarine trees, ma/ also be planted in 

 the border, two feet apart, with excellent results. They requu-e the same 

 incessant pinching, and must be lifted and replanted annually in October ; 

 but the span-x'oofed house is better adapted to the culture of trees planted in 

 the borders. 



821. Peaches and nectarines, planted as pyramids in the border, require to 

 be lifted annuall}', and replanted with a little fresh compost the last week in 

 October. Miniature peach, nectarine, and apricot-trees, grafted on the black 

 damask plum stock, are placed in a garden-frame in January. As soon as 

 their young shoots have made four leaves, their ends are pinched off, leaving 

 their leaves, and all succeeding shoots, pinched off to one leaf. In January, 

 the house must be closed day and night. If at any time the registering 

 thermometer indicates a night temperatui-e of 20°, some dry hay or litter 

 should be placed among and over the pots or borders. If the trees are inclined 

 to shrivel from drought, give a quart of water in the morning. If snow falls, 

 clear the glass of it. In bright sunny weather, open the ventilators to check 

 early buds from swelling. Paint every bud and shoot, before it swells, with 

 Gishurst's compound, half a pound to the gallon of water, to destroy eggs of 

 insects. 



