ORCHARD-HOUSES. 1 7 



the state of soil is this : if a handful, grasped 

 firmly, retains its shape, but separates when 

 allowed to drop on the floor, it will not be too 

 dry or too wet. If Peaches are growing in bor- 

 ders, or against the walls, it is very necessary to 

 keep the ground firm about their roots ; trample 

 the soil well when in a dry state, and if the soil be 

 light, use a rammer to make it solid. If in the 

 autumn any copper-coloured fly be seen feeding 

 on the Peach shoots, paint the trees infested with 

 i Ib. of soft soap, i Ib. of sulphur, 2 quarts of 

 tobacco water, 2 quarts of soft water, and a little 

 clay to thicken the mixture, taking care not to 

 injure the buds during the operation. If the trees 

 are free from insects, and have not been infested 

 with red spider, no dressing will be required. 

 The mixture of Gishurst Compound, before recom- 

 mended, has been found injurious. The cow- 

 manure usually employed to dress trees on walls 

 gives rise to a species of mildew in the orchard- 

 house, clay is preferable. When the plants have 

 been painted, place them closely together in the 

 middle of the house, and cover the pots well with 

 leaves, hay, or straw, to keep them safely from 

 hard frost. During frost the house had better be 



"CT 



