144 THE FRUIT GROWERS GUIDE. 



their fruit. Imperfection in the fructifying organs, however, may be due to other 

 causes, such as overcropping, drought, or injury to the foliage by insects, and other 

 hindrances to perfect bud formation in the preceding year. 



House. For early forcing, lean-to structures facing south-east, south, or south-west 

 are best. An unpretentious wall case, 6 to 7 feet 6 inches wide, erected against 

 a 10 or 12 feet wall, with 3 feet upright front lights, top lights 3 feet deep, set at an 

 angle of 45, these and the front lights being made to open outwards half their depth 

 throughout their length, and the other part of the roof formed of 2 -inch lights, secured 

 to the rafters with screws for portability, answers admirably for early forcing. A 

 trellis must be fixed 9 to 12 inches from the glass: a flow and return 4-inch hot- water 

 pipe placed just clear of the border 18 to 24 inches from and along the whole length of 

 the front, and a batten path at the back, will complete the fittings. Fan-trained trees 

 with 3 feet stems must be planted in the structure described at the distance from the 

 front lights the trellis is from the glass. 



Lean-to houses 12 feet wide accommodate trees on a trellis extending about two- 

 thirds up the roof in front, and other trees against the back wall, the borders being 

 wholly inside. Four rows of 4-inch pipes, two near the front and two along the front 

 side of the path, are necessary to afford warmth, for heat radiated at a high temperature 

 is inimical to the cherry. 



Span-roof structures answer for forcing. Those 15 to 18 feet wide, so as to accom- 

 modate trees on both sides in a 6 -feet wide border, and a 3-feet wide pathway 

 up the centre, are excellent, either for fan- trained trees on a trellis, standards planted 

 out, or trees in pots. Two rows of 4-inch pipes on each side are necessary. 



A three-quarter span, the long side of the roof facing south, is good for cherries, for 

 a large amount of light enters by the northern slope, and the vigour, usually very 

 decided at the extremities of the upper branches of the trees, is restrained by the down- 

 ward training on the north slope of the roof. It also gives the cultivator an opportunity 

 of laying-in young wood there, and thus obtaining finer fruit than is practicable on 

 branches closely spurred. The illustration (Fig. 47) on page 143 will elucidate many 

 essential points relating to forcing cherries. 



Border. This must be properly drained, the base of the border inclining to the 

 drains. These should be 6 feet apart, 3 -inch pipes sufficing, truly laid, having a proper 

 fall : and connected with a main drain to convey the superfluous water away. Place 

 broken bricks or stone rubble 1 foot thick over the drains, rough at the bottom and 



