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MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



birth-place of our choice fruits — " say Persia or Armenia, where the winter 

 is dry and very severe, and the spring dry with hot sun and piercing wind." 



Forcing-houses may be constructed upon a similar plan, by simply pla- 

 cing a stove in the back border, and obviating the constant ventilation that 

 takes place in the Orchard House through the cracks in the boards with 

 which they are covered, by a double casing of boards, that answer admi- 

 rably for strawberries and grapes. 



These houses are beginning to be introduced into this part of the United 

 States ; some, it is reported, are built or being constructed in the vicinity of 

 Boston, and there is one in a neighboring State known to be in operation ; 

 but the difference in climate between England and this country is so great 

 that the mode of construction and management will require, as is supposed, 

 that of which it is easily susceptible, essential modification. 



In this country, where the thermometer often indicates 40 to 50 degrees of 

 frost, the severe cold is an obstacle to successful.cultivation ; but in Eng- 

 land, where it rarely marks half that amount, it is only protection against 

 late spring frosts that is demanded ; but as a compensation, the warmth and 

 brightness of the summer here brings to perfection, in an open exposure, 

 fruit that requires in England the protection of a wall or other artificial aid 

 to properly ripen, where even the white currant, unassisted, does not attain 

 perfect maturity. 



What the modifications in the construction and management of the 

 Orchard House, to adapt them to the wants and purposes of this country, 

 should be, will readily suggest themselves in practice, or be taught by brief 

 experience, and this does not seem to be the place or occasion farther to 

 allude to them. Clear and minute directions for the construction of these 

 houses, and for the management of the plants, have been published by Mr. 

 Rivers in a short treatise, in pamphlet form, easily to be obtained, the 

 whole of which, or at least all its essential parts, has been republished in 

 recent numbers of the Horticulturist. 



Houses of this description, even with such alterations as are necessary in 

 this country, may be built at a comparatively moderate cost, and thus place 

 it within the means of many who are now debarred of it — the enjoyment of 

 what now is expensive luxury — besides opening a new branch of horticultural 

 employment promising to be reasonably remunerative. Without some such 

 means the crop of stone fruits has become so precarious as to receive but 

 little attention, and in some species, as the apricot, the cultivation seems to 

 be wholly abandoned, while in Orchard Houses this promises to become a 

 successful culture, at least Mr. Rivers asserts that he is sure of a crop. 



Under these circumstances, their introduction into this vicinity is a mat- 

 ter for congratulation ; and it is hoped that the experiments commenced will 

 be thoroughly tried, and no moans neglected to insure a successful termi- 

 nation, so that every cultivator shall have it in his power to add to his gar- 

 den or grounds, at a moderate cost, that which will be alike uselul and 

 ornamental — a house where the obtaining a crop of fine peaches, grapes, 

 and other fruits, may be reasonably certain, to be converted if it is desired 



