OF FRUIT. 225 



above the ground, closed by double shutters, one 

 opening outwards, the other inwards. The space 

 between should be carefully packed with straw at the 

 beginning of winter. 



The inner wall has a single door, F, and two open- 

 ings, G. The openings are closed by a shutter sliding 

 up and down, and inside by a door opening outwards. 

 As soon as the fruits are fairly deposited in the fruit- 

 house, the exterior air should be still further excluded 

 from the interior, by pasting strips of paper round the 

 joints and nicks of the openings. These openings are 

 only intended to allow of air and light being admitted 

 into the fruit-house, to air and sweeten it before the 

 fruits are deposited. 



The ceiling (B, fig. 184) is formed of a bed of moss, 

 kept in its place by laths, ceiled over above and below 

 with mortar and hair, the whole presenting a thickness 

 of twelve inches. This mode of structure is indis- 

 pensable for preventing the exterior air from traversing 

 the ceiling. 



The ceiling is surmounted by a roof of thatch, C, 

 twelve inches thick. A skylight in the roof will allow 

 the space between the ceiling and the thatch being 

 used as a garret. The skylight should close perfectly, 

 so as to completely exclude the air. 



The floor of the fruit-house may be either of wood or 

 asphalt. The inner walls, and even the roof, will be 

 better if lined with a deal wainscoting. All these 

 precautions tend to the same important object, that of 

 keeping the interior of an equable temperature, free 

 from dampness. 



