POT FRUIT CULTURE AND ITS ADVANTAGES 131 



The trees may be arranged along the border to suit the grower's individual 

 fancy, so long as they are not overcrowded. We cannot expect the best results 

 if the trees stand too close together. Each tree must be clear of its neighbor, 

 so that both the foliage and the fruit may get the full benefit of the light and 

 sun. The size of the house will depend upon the demand made upon it, and it 

 may run east and west or north and south, according to the location at command, 

 though it would be preferable to have it run north and south, for this would 

 give all the trees a more equal sunlight. An even span roof house is better than 

 any other shape. It may vary from twenty to thirty feet in width, while 

 the length will correspond to the number of trees to be grown. Set the 

 trees about four or five feet apart. Although this may look a bit thin for the 

 first season, the house will be furnished nicely the second year. 



One of the main points to be considered in building a structure of this kind 

 is head room. While a low built house may seem ample for the young stock, 

 yet it will hardly do for the trees as they increase in size from year to year. 

 There should be head room enough along the sides to accommodate trees six 

 feet high, or in other words, have five or six feet from the border to the eaves. 



Ventilation is of vital importance and it should be plentifully provided for, 

 both at the top and bottom on each side. During our extremely hot spells all 

 the ventilation procurable can be used to good advantage. Plenty of fresh air 

 as the fruit is ripening will be found to improve the flavor, which is all-important. 

 I think I have made it plain that the best house for orchard fruit is just a simple 

 house without any frills. 



For the heat it is not necessary to lay in a large sj-stem of pipes, as this 

 fruit does not require any extreme temperatures. In fact, too much artificial 

 heat is decidedlj- injurious, especially in a mixed house, such as those contain- 

 ing Pears, Plums, Apples, etc. Furthermore, where all the difl"erent kinds are 

 grown together, I am not in favor of starting the trees until the middle of Jan- 

 uary. Not that it is impossible to do so, but I have found that success is almost 

 assured if they are started after the turn of the season, whereas if done before 

 that we are taking chances with fruit like Pears and Plums, whose setting qual- 

 ities are decidedly more uncertain in the short days than those of Peaches and 

 Nectarines. As to the amount of pipes, or the heating capacity of such a house, 

 there should be enough heat at command to hold the temperature at 50 even 

 in very cold weather, a temperature that would be sufficient artificiallj-. I 

 indicate here the requirements merely in a general waj', leaving all the details 

 of construction to the greenhouse builders, who thoroughly understand their 

 business. While the style of house may seem of small importance to the super- 

 ficial observer, yet experience has taught us that if we want to carrj- on this 

 work successfully year after year and have our trees always in full vigor, we 

 must have our house in agreement with their needs. The ideal house is one 

 that will give off an abundance of moisture, but any house that gives ofl" a dry 

 atmosphere is not a first class orchardhouse and will not produce the best results. 



