CHAP. VI VILLA GARDENING 349 



first pass unobserved ; but he will uot remaiu long uuiioticed, or 

 rather his work will soon be observed, if he is present. Red 

 spiders eat all the green matter from the upper side of the 

 leaves first, and then attack the low^r side. In a short time, 

 if no means are taken to destroy them, they will cause all the 

 leaves to fall from a tree. The best remedy is pure soft water. 

 Where this is used freely, and the roots do not sufler from drought, 

 there will be no difficidty from red-spider. Sulphur used in the 

 syringing water in small quantities Avill be beneficial if any spiders 

 are present, and is also the best remedy for mildew, both on the 

 foliage and on the friut. There are two species of brown scale 

 (Coccus amygdali and C. Persicae), but Gishurst compound will 

 destroy them. Where the trees are regulai-ly washed, before 

 growth begins, with a strong solution of this or any other suitable 

 insecticide, the scale will not be troublesome. Sometimes, Avhen 

 the borders are allowed to get too dry, a fungus attacks the roots, 

 especially if any leaf-moidd and bits of root or stick are left in 

 the border. The best way of remedying this is to lift out the 

 trees, remove all the old tainted soil, and bring back fresh soil from a 

 new source. It often happens that the borders may be aftected in 

 this Avay without its being known. A tree gradually becomes 

 weakly when there is no ostensible disease, only weakness, which 

 arises from the roots being poisoned by the fiaky white fungus 

 wdiich is fast enveloping them. Though in an Orchard - house 

 proper quite a number of ditterent kinds of fruit may be grown 

 together, yet there is no doubt, where it can be done, that it is 

 better to form them into groups ; for instance, I always think Figs 

 will pay for a little forcing in spring to ensure the ripening of 

 the crops. The Cherry, again, and the Apricot do best alone, the 

 latter being very impatient of artificial heat or any stufliness in the 

 atmosphere. Plums succeed well with Peaches and Nectarines, 

 but Pears and Apples should be grouped together. 



A Grape vine may be trained along beneath the ridge, if desired ; 

 but the trees below want all the light. Good Grapes may be 

 grown in an Orchard-house, but they are best when kept separate, 

 if there is the means of doing this. 



Sorts to Grow. — I give below short lists of varieties suitable 

 for Orchard-house culture : — 



Peaches — Early varieties : Acton Scott, Early Louise, Hale's 

 Early, Royal George, Early York, Noblesse, Abec, Crawford's Early, 

 Early Silver. Mid-season varieties : Barrington, Bellegarde, Ray- 

 macker's. Belle Baeuce, Cornice de Bourbourg, Prince of Wales. 

 Late sorts : Comet, Condor, Lord Palmerston, Lady Palmerston, 

 Princess of Wales, Stump the World, Late Admirable. 



