34 ORCHARD-HOUSES. 



there will be little or no fruit. But it is probable 

 that where there has been no apparent injury, the 

 embryo bloom may have suffered. In the autumn 

 of 1859, I had six Apricot trees, which were all 

 cultivated alike, and potted at the same time ; three 

 were placed in the orchard-house, and three on a 

 bed in the open garden, and the pots were covered 

 a foot thick with leaves. The following spring 

 the latter were removed to the house, and they 

 bloomed as well as those which had been under 

 cover daring winter; no difference could be per- 

 ceived in the appearance of the flowers; but 

 whilst the fruit on the protected plants had to be 

 severely thinned, two of those which had been 

 left in the open garden were entirely without fruit, 

 and the third bore only four Apricots. 



Now let me say a word to those gardeners who, 

 having learnt their business, are afraid to com- 

 mence a culture they do not understand, or who 

 really do not believe in the orchard-house. What- 

 ever you may do or say, they will be built. Gentle- 

 men will not be satisfied to be without fruit, when 

 their neighbours have plenty; or to have two or 

 three kinds only, instead of a variety of sorts, 

 lasting over a long period, and varying in appear- 



