MONTHLY OPERATIONS. 107 



find that they will put them upon the right track, and if they 

 fail with the aid of all the necessary details, it will be because 

 they do not understand the practical knowledge which it is 

 almost impossible to acquire from books, but which experience 

 alone teaches, often too dearly, if valuable information is 

 ignored. 



Our object is to increase and extend the love of our people 

 for the best fruits, especially when it can be done at so little 

 expense ; and we know of no means by which more can be 

 secured than with the aid of a smaller or larger orchard- 

 house, or, as Mr. Rivers has termed the larger class, a Fruit 

 Conservatory. 



MONTHLY OPERATIONS 



IN THE ORCHARD-HOUSE FOR THE YEAR. 



January. At this season, provided the trees are protected 

 according to the directions for December, it will only be 

 necessary to keep as even a temperature as possible, and 

 guard against very sudden changes and severe frost. In 

 clear sunny weather give an abundance of air during the 

 middle of the day, and if warm, until night. In very severe 

 weather, with the temperature below zero, if the house is 

 provided with shutters, as we think it should be, these may 

 be put on, which will keep out many degrees of frost. Thick 

 straw mats may also be used to guard against intense cold 

 as well as bright sunshine. 



February. The same directions will apply to this month, 

 which is often the coldest of the year. 



March. This is the trying season, as the sun has now 

 reached such an altitude it will soon warm up the house in 

 fine weather. It will now be safe to leave the house open 

 from morning till night, until the middle of the month, 

 when the trees will begin to show signs of growing. When 



