CHAi'. VIII VILLA GAEDENING 357 



had been made, to strengthen the base and render cutting back 

 unnecessary. In theh* early stages the treatment accorded to 

 Peaches will suit Apricots, the only ditt'erence being that Apri- 

 cots are more impatient under artificial heat. But when rightly 

 managed, especially as regards ventilation. Apricots under glass 

 bear immense crops of fruit, and will pay better for glass coverings 

 than many things which are more favoured. The fruit grown 

 under glass is of superior quality, and easily protected from the 

 attacks of wasps and tiies. It often happens that Apricots in the 

 open ah' are many of them quite spoiled by wasps or earwigs ; but 

 in a house we have only to cover the ventilators with hexagon 

 netting to keep them qiute safe. I do not recommend their culture 

 under glass exclusively, as there will always be warm sites planted 

 with Apricots in the open air ; but I know, taking an average of 

 ten j^ears, that a moderately -sized house, planted with Apricot 

 trees, will produce as many fruits as a good length of wall. This 

 is a question more for owners of gardens than gardeners ; but I 

 cannot imagine any gardener who woidd not be glad of an Apricot- 

 house if he had any choice in the matter. 



Varieties. — I have already said that the Moor Park is the 

 best variety for cultm-e under glass, but several varieties having 

 the Moor Park origin may be planted with it to lengthen out the 

 season. Of these Powell's Late, D'Alsace, and Beauge are the 

 best. I should also add the Peach Apricot to the above short list. 



The Plura-House. — Of late years Plums in the open air have 

 been an exceedingly uncertain crop, and this fact may induce many 

 having means to adopt their culture under glass. A somewhat 

 similar structure to the Aijricot-house will suit them admirably, 

 and the same steady regular treatment which has been recom- 

 mended for Apricots will suit Plums. A s^Dan-roofed house is the 

 best, but a lean-to should not be despised, for it is mainly a 

 {jiiestion of light and ventilation, and any structiu-e which supjilies 

 these essentials will do. In the general management of both the 

 Apricot and Plum it is a good plan to lay in as much young wood 

 as space will admit without overcrowding. Though the Plum 

 does not force well, it will bear more heat than the Apricot, but 

 by planting early and late sorts together a long succession may be 

 had without forcing. I have already referred to the culture of 

 Plums in pots in the Orchard-house, and I am alluding now only 

 to planting them in the borders of the house, and their training on 

 trellises; and so manageable are they in this respect that the 

 trellis may assume any shape. They dislike cold currents of air 

 blowing through them when in blossom or when the growth is 

 yoimg in s{)ring, but ventilation close to the ground line will be 



