Frost 



( 354 ) 



Fuchsia 



sweeping away the froth with a light broom ; also 

 by s\rint,'ing with strong soapsuds. Valuable 

 plants may be cleared by hand-picking. 



FROST. 



When the temperature sinks to 32 F. (the 

 freezing point of water), or below that, it is said 

 to be 'freezing. Many plants are unable to resist 

 a temperature at freezing point for any length 

 of time, and are said to be tender. , Others can 

 resist a varying degree of frost according to 

 their kind, and are said to be hardy in certain 

 latitudes and at, certain altitudes. Those that 

 are injured or killed by frost suffer from the 

 rupturing , of their tissues by the expansion of 

 the same. The gardener can counteract the 

 influence of this to a considerable extent by 

 getting up before sunrise and syringing the affected 

 plants with water a few degrees above freezing 

 point ;. they, then get gradually thawed before the 

 sun, strikes them while in the , frozen condition. 

 Plants . should not be wetted overnight intention- 

 ally, as that renders them more liable to injury 

 than if dry. The same holds good with regard to 

 plants under glass, particularly in unheated struc- 

 tures. The seeds of Hollies, Hawthorn, Roses, 

 etc.., "germinate .more freely . after having been 

 frozen ; and Lily of the Valley , crowns force 

 more readily after having : been subjected to 

 frost or retarded in a refrigerator. Freezing acts 

 beneficially upon soils . by disintegrating and pul- 

 verising them, thereby , releasing plant food or 

 rendering it soluble. 



FRUIT. 



Included under the general title " fruit " . are 

 kinds, requiring glass structures and artificial heat 

 to bring them . to perfection, as well as others 

 cultivated in the open air. Full particulars of the 

 treatment required by all fruits grown in gardens 

 are given under their respective name?. 



The Arrangement of Fruit Gardens. In most 

 private establishments the object is to obtain 

 variety,, with economy in space. With this end in 

 view, hardy fruits are largely grown in kitchen 

 gardens, where the arrangement must be attended 

 with judgment. Bush and pyramid trees of 

 Apples, Pears, Plums, and Cherries are planted in 

 borders running parallel with the walks, espaliers 

 also being suitable for such positions. Stocks of a 

 dwarfing character should be employed, and due 

 attention paid to the principles of pruning. Bush 

 fruits, such as Currants and Gooseberries, are best 

 provided with a quarter to themselves, as the fruit, 

 can be more readily protected from birds. Rasp- 

 berries may be grown in clumps or in rows, with 

 the canes supported by a wire trellis. Adequate 

 room should be reserved for Strawberry beds, and 

 advantage taken of all wall space Well trained 

 trees of the best varieties should be .selected for 

 growing on walls. In addition to garden fruit, o 

 well arranged orchard, in which standard trees are 

 grown, is a useful adjunct to an establishment. 



Successions of Fruits. Even with fruits possess- 

 ing no keeping properties there are early, succes- 

 sion, and late varieties, and when planting this 

 fact should be borne in mind, in order that the 

 season of production may be as long as possible. 



froff Orchis (tee Ifabeiiafia riridis). 

 Frolovia (*ee Saustnrea). 

 frost Grape (nee Vitis n 



In the case of fruits amenable to storage, such as 

 Apples and Pears, the question is one of great 

 importance, as by careful selection good fruit may 

 be had nearly all the year round. Selections of 

 varieties of Apples and Pears for early and late use 

 are given under their respective headings. 



Storing. In the absence of better facilities, late 

 keeping Apples and Pears may be successfully 

 stored in dry cellars, and spare rooms, where an 

 average temperature of from 40 to 4:" can be 

 maintained. A properly erected fruit room is 

 preferable, and an easterly or north-easterly site is 



Pltota : Casxell ( (- Coinpitnu, Ltd. 



FUCHSIA stTERHA (_syn. TIIIVHYLLA SITEUUA, 

 see p. 355). 



the best to select for it. The structure may either 

 be a lean-to or a span roof, according to position. 

 Fourteen-inch walls are the best, and these should 

 be hollow above the ground line. Means of ventila- 

 tion should be provided at the ridge, and in case of 

 need it is advisable to have a hot-water pipe, or 

 other means of heating, in the house. Tiers of 

 shelves, the latter being formed of broad laths, 

 should be arranged round the sides for the arroni- 

 modation of the fruit. A simpler span-roofed 

 structure may be built of wood, with the sides and 

 roof thatched with straw. The fruit should be 

 placed carefully on the shelves in single layers, 

 and each variety labelled. 



FUCHSIA. 



Description. Deciduous flowering plants (on!. 

 OnagTRriete). The r-pi'cirs. which vary in diameter 

 and mostly come from South America, are worthy 

 of more general culture. A few are quite hardy 

 others nearly so, and they may be seen growing 



