38 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



the corners, and can be partly covered over, so that the 

 tops can be used to stand pots on, but space must be left 

 for dipping cans and buckets. 



Top ventilation is very important, and should be pro- 

 vided by lights to lift up by a cord from inside at every 

 fourth rafter; the ventilating lights being placed on 

 alternate sides of the upper part of the rafters, so that 

 they may often be open on the side opposite the direction 

 of the wind when there is too much force in the wind 

 to allow of the lower opening being used ; and, again, 

 the ventilators over the doors may in other cases be 

 open when it is not advisable to open the roof ven- 

 tilators. Circulation of the air is desirable, because pure 

 air is essential to good growth. 



The structure being now built and glazed in, is ready 

 for the introduction of pot trees. The earth should be 

 taken out 6 inches or more deep and a good foundation 

 of clinkers put in, say 3 inches, and on this place 3 inches 

 of finely-sifted cinders. This will prevent worms entering 

 the holes at the base of the pots. Of course, where the 

 cordon Pears are placed on the uprights and central 

 supports may also be filled with cordons the soil must 

 not be removed for a space of 2 feet across. The shorter 

 pot trees are then set at the sides and the taller ones 

 in the central bed. Some gardeners sink the pot half- 

 way in the border, but we do not find any advantage in 

 this ; neither do we allow the roots to get through at the 

 base of the pots ; the advantage of having the pots free is 

 that the house can be cleared in time to bring in pot 

 Chrysanthemums to flower early, and thus the house is 

 utilised for two purposes. 



