The Canadian Horticulturist. 201 



Republic we paid to railways and vessels of all kinds employed in domestic 

 commerce, in 1894, not less than $2,000,000,000 for distribution. Animal power 

 cost as much more. 



A barrel of Easter Beurres at $15 is equal to an average acre of wheat at 

 $1 per bushel. The wheat weighs yoo lbs. and the pears 200. To carry the 

 wheat in flour 1,000 miles, means four barrels at 25 cents each, and freight at 

 50 cents per ton per 100 miles — $2.25 ; total, $3.25. Freight and package for 

 pears, 75 cents. The pears should be produced, with care, on one-eighth of an 

 acre of land. 



Farmers must study how to produce the most valuable product, and at the 

 same time the least bulk and weight. 



In the balance of the article, Mr. Glen pictures out Greater New York in 

 1950: — a ship canal from Oswego to the Hudson river, bringing apples and 

 pears at low rates from Burlington Bay to New York City, all under the auspices 

 of a united flag. 



BUILDING A FRUIT HOUSE. 



The foundation of my fruit house is of boulders and " slush lime," two feet 

 in the ground all around ; then a wall of hard burned brick 18 inches high and 

 12 inches thick on the boulders; Then sills 12 inches wide on the brick wall. 

 Then with close ceiling and weather boarding and brick floor it will be rat and 

 mouse proof. I have sawdust about 18 inches deep on the ceiling overhead. 

 An eight inch square opening in the centre of the building through the over- 

 head ceiling, with an eight inch box over it, long enough to keep the sawdust 

 from falling in, gives sufficient ventilation. This ventilator should not extend 

 through the roof, as a strong draft is not desired. The foul air will pass out at 

 openings between the shingles, etc. Tack a bit of screen well over the top of 

 the ventilator to keep out insects or mice, should any find their way up there. 

 Put a slide on the under side of the ventilator so that all draft may be shut ofT 

 in extreme cold weather. I think a brick or cement floor preferable to a plank 

 one. ^Vood would soon rot, and a " dead air " space below the floor is not 

 desirable, as the warmth from the ground would be somewhat held back by it, 

 which is needed in cold weather. A tightly fitting door opening inside and one 

 opening outside, with a wire screen door between them are necessary. One 

 small window with sash and glass inside and out, is sufficient. When fruit is 

 put in, and the weather is warm, a quite low temperature may be maintained by 

 giving all ventilation possible at night and closing up tightly during the day. If 

 extreme cold should continue several days, I used to put a two gallon iron pot 

 nearly full of live coals, inside at night to prevent things freezing. Screen wire 

 over the pot made it safe. I now use a small natural gas jet. I think if the 

 sawdust wall was 18 inches thick, both heat and cold could be the better kept 

 out, though mine is very satisfactory. — Ex. 



