FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



CHAPTER II 



HOUSES BEST ADAPTED EOR GROWING GRAPES 



THE advances made in recent years in greenhouse construction is simply 

 marvelous. A few years ago we thcugiit they had reached perfection 

 and that it would be almost impossible to better them. But improve- 

 ments have continued since then, so that it now seems to me that the profes- 

 sional builder will have to exercise considerable ingenuity before he can im- 

 prove upon existing types. We, as growers of forced fruits, appreciate the 

 good work which has been done along these lines, and the growers throughout 

 the country are fully aware of the benefits they have deri\ed from this source. 

 I may safely say that greenhouses, such as are now erected in America, have 

 not their equal anywhere in the world for strength, durability, and light. The 

 greenhouse constructor is surely the grower's best friend. 



Fruit has been grown in different kinds of structures. \'ears ago the leanto 

 house was much in favor, and it is still very satisfactory for climates not sub- 

 ject to extremes of temperature, especially for early forcing, when facing south. 

 In such a house the desired temperature is easily maintained. But when ex- 

 tremes of temperature have to be reckoned with the even span is the ideal house 

 for fruit culture. Either a curvilinear or a straight roof may be adopted. One 

 point in favor of the curvilinear root for private establishments is that it gives 

 the range a neater appearance, in agreeable contrast to that of the commercial 

 greenhouse. As to the width, a house 25 feet widt is just right, and it should 

 certainly net exceed 30 feet. Let your fruithouses run, if possible, north and 

 south. Complete ventilation must be provided, both for top and bottom, as 

 free circulation of air is necessary both when ripening up the fruit and the wood. 

 Admitting that the greenhouse constructor has reduced the building of 

 these houses to a science, with a thorough understanding of all the requirements 

 of an ideal fruithouse, I do not need to go into any details along these lines. 

 Still, a word in regard to location will be permissible. Greater success is to be 

 looked for by selecting an elevation rather than low ground. Where fruithouses 

 arc on low ground thc\ need close attention, as the fruit in them i^ more subject 

 to mildew and kindred diseases. The ideal range will be set on an elevation 

 and protected from the north winds or, if there exists no natural protection, a 

 planting can be made for the purpose of furnishing a windbreak that w ill assume 

 an adequate size in a few years. 



As to heating, either steam or hot water nia\ be used, but fruithouses are 

 generally equipped with a hot water system; I, myself, decidedly prefer the 



