ORCHARD HOUSES POTTING THE TREES. 253 



properly drained pots a size larger, making the soil firm with a hand rammer. When 

 trees are in an ill-conditioned state through defective drainage, and consequently sour soil, 

 they should be taken out of the pots, the drainage and soil cleared away, and placed in 

 clean well-drained pots of the same size or smaller. Sufficient space must in all cases 

 be left below the rims of the pots for holding water. This must be given sparingly 

 until the roots are working freely in the new soil ; yet this must be properly moist until 

 the leaves fall, and during the next season not allowed to become parchingly dry. 



Ventilating. The trees must be stood apart from each other in the spring, before the 



blossoms unfold, for it is impossible to separate entangled branches without destroying 



many flowers. In the winter, the house should have the ventilators wide open whenever 



the temperature is above the freezing point, but a still air is desirable when the weather 



is severe. This will cause the trees to start naturally in the spring, even when they are 



kept in the house during the winter, yet somewhat earlier than those which are outside ; 



these being introduced before the flower buds have cast their scales, and they must not 



be unduly excited. From the first indication of growth a circulation of air should be 



maintained day and night by leaving the ventilators open more or less, according to the 



weather. After the blossoms show colour they are susceptible of injury from frost, and 



fire heat, if at command, should be used to exclude it, but a temperature of 40 is ample, 



or even less in severe weather ; the chief essentials are a dry atmosphere, free ventilation, 



and safety from frost. If the weather be cold and dull, a little fire heat will prove of 



great advantage by day, if only to ensure a circulation of air, yet it must be applied 



carefully, say to maintain the temperature at 40 to 45 never more than 50 without 



full ventilation. After the fruit is set, and the weather becomes warmer, growth may 



be accelerated by closing early in the afternoon, but too much air cannot be given in the 



early part of the day, avoiding sharp currents, and a little should always be admitted at 



night. In the summer the ventilation must be attended to early, and be full during the 



hotter part of the day, modifying the amount where it is desired to make the most of 



sun heat. These remarks apply to orchard houses in cold localities, and for the tenderer 



fruits, such as nectarines and peaches ; in favourable localities and for the hardier fruits 



full ventilation is required day and night during the summer months, or from the end of 



May to the close of September, but the cultivator must exercise judgment in the 



admission of air at all times. No fixed rules can be laid down for following under all 



circumstances. 



What each kind of fruit requires has been given under its heading, and the only 



