t 4 6 



THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



the ground. The front and ends (except the doorway) must also have f-inch boards 

 nailed on outside the posts, but the upper one in front should be on hinges so as to let 

 down the length of the house. This, with the back shutters, door, and shrinking of 

 the boards in the summer, provide efficient ventilation. The woodwork should be painted 

 with anti- corrosion paint. Such a house may be erected at a cost of about 30. If it 

 is intended for apricots, figs, nectarines, peaches, and vines a south aspect is necessary ; 

 if for apples, cherries, pears, and plums an east or west view will answer, except in cold 

 districts, where the most favourable aspects that is, south-east or south-west, and 

 sheltered situations are essential. 



An improved lean-to house, Fig. 59, differs only from the original in the posts 

 being fitted with cast-iron sockets for fixing in the ground, glass about one-third 

 down the front immediately beneath the eave and down the ends to the same, a boarded 



ventilator just below the glass in front and 

 at the back on the same level opening the 

 length of the house, and four sliding 

 shutters, 3 feet by 1 foot, at equal distances 

 apart, close to the roof. The appearance 

 is as satisfactory as can be desired in the 

 garden, and the extra cost is but slight, 



Fig. 59. SECTION OF MESSES. RIVEBS' IMPEOYED^LEAN-TO whilst the Structure possesses every essential 



OEOHAED HOUSE. cultural advantage. 



Where there is a wall or close boarded fence to serve as a back a lean-to house may 

 be built against it with a great saving in expense, but as sliding shutters cannot be 

 let into boundary walls or fences, a continuous wooden ventilator, 15 inches wide, in 

 lengths of 10 feet, on hinges at the top of the sloping roof, and opening upwards by 

 simple cranks, lever, and sash cord, will provide (in conjunction with the openings in 

 front) efficient ventilation. A framed and glazed ventilator is, however, better for 

 the top of the house than a wooden one. 



Span-Roofed Houses. Though a lean-to with a south aspect has the advantage of 

 the fruit ripening earlier, and affords facilities for erecting an open shed at the back, 

 the span-roof house has a more pleasing appearance, and being detached can be 

 thoroughly ventilated. In a span-roof house peaches and nectarines ripen about the 

 same time as on walls. It should run north and south, that is, the ends face those 

 points, or if a deviation is made it should be between north and north-east and south 



