CHERRIES IN HOUSES. 141 



they remain fresh several days, even weeks, and if the stalks are inserted in water in 

 bottles, similar to grapes, cherries will keep months in a cool place. Some cherries have 

 a perceptible bloom; this must be preserved, for rubbed fruit is greatly impaired in 

 appearance. The fruit should always be gathered dry, and dished with its own leaves. 



CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



Growing trees under glass is the best way to obtain the finest fruit early and late. A 

 cheap unheatcd house is all that is necessary to produce cherries from June to October 

 inclusive. It must be rain and bird proof, thoroughly ventilated, and light. Lean-to 

 structures are suitable. The aspect may be south for early, east for second-early, west 

 for mid-season, and north for late crops ; but the fruit produced in the shade never has 

 the quality of that produced in full sunshine. A wall case, 6 feet wide, may have trees 

 planted against the back wall, and low trees in front, say single upright cordons, trained 

 1 foot from the glass. "Wider houses can have bushes in front, but the wall trees in no 

 case must be shaded. 



Span-roofed houses may be any width from 6 feet, that height at the sides, and 9 

 feet in the centre, with vertical cordon trees on both sides, trained 1 foot from the glass 

 so as to cover the whole of the roof. These corridor-like houses afford an agreeable pro- 

 menade interesting and profitable. Structures 18 feet wide accommodate trees on both 

 sides trained to a trellis 1 foot from the glass in fan-fashion, which suits the Bigarreau 

 and large black cherries. The trees may be in bush, pyramid, or standard forms, planted 

 out, or in pots or tubs. If planted out, the roof-lights should be movable, for exposure 

 after the crops are gathered invigorates the trees, prevents premature development in 

 the blossom-buds, and arrests growth in early spring. Trees in pots or tubs can be 

 withdrawn and stood outdoors after they are cleared of their fruit, protecting the roots 

 from frost, returning them to the house before the blossom -buds unfold. Respecting the 

 merits of the two systems a word or two may be acceptable. Planted-out trees, trained to 

 trellises, or as standards, with the heads near the glass, produce the finest cherries. Trees 

 in pots entail more labour in watering, yet are more under control, and more easily 

 managed. 



Potted Trees. Select young trees just coming into bearing, preferably established 

 in 10 or 11 -inch pots one or two years. Those of that age may be potted from outside. 

 Larger and older trees are sometimes chosen for potting or tubbing. They answer very 

 well when prepared for removal by carefully lifting them and shortening the roots every 



