CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 437 



on a level with the stalk. If ready to be removed it will part easily at 

 the point where it leaves the spur. If the fruit, however, does not 

 appear to separate at that point it should be left longer. Several 

 Pears, notably Williams' Bon Chretien, must be gathered before the 

 above stage or they will be found quite soft inside and unfit for use. 

 Flemish Beauty and Doyenne Bussoch are also of this class. The 

 early Pears Citron des Carmes, Doyenne d'Ete, Clapp's Favourite, 

 Jargonelle, &c., will not keep, and must be consumed almost as soon as 

 gathered. Do not leave any fruits upon the trees after the first week 

 in November, or they will be liable to sustain considerable damage from 

 high winds. It is advisable, however, to let all the Pears remain out 

 of doors as long as possible. Avoid squeezing the former when gather- 

 ing them, for every bruise will become visible in the course of a few 

 days, and lead to decay. If it is desired to have late Pears through- 

 out the winter months a cool, regular temperature is essential, and the 

 atmosphere of the fruit room also must be dry. 



Specially-constructed rooms for storing fruit are usually fitted with 

 shelves about 2 inches wide, and i inch apart. The fruit resting 

 between these always has a free circulation of air around it. Examine 

 the fruits from time to time, in order that all showing signs of decay 

 may be at once removed. 



The Grape Vine. It is surprising that a fruit so delicious and 

 wholesome as the Grape should not be grown more by amateurs. In 

 many a small greenhouse throughout the country excellent Grapes 

 might be annually produced. 



The house in which the Vines are grown may either be span-roofed 

 or lean-to. The span-roofed structure is, however, decidedly prefer- 

 able, for in a house of this design less space is wasted. It should be 

 built with the ends facing north and south, as it then receives an equal 

 amount of sunlight practically all over. 



In early morning the eastern side would have the benefit of the 

 sun, and the western side in the afternoon and evening ; while with the 

 sun high in the heavens, both would benefit equally. If the house 

 were built to face east and west, the southern side would receive the 

 sun's rays almost the whole day, whereas the northern side would be 

 scarcely touched by the sun at all. 



Equally good Grapes can be grown in a lean-to vinery as in a span- 

 roofed house, and if one desires to have Grapes early in the season, the 

 former structure is suitable. 



The Border. Prepare a well-drained and suitable border, for, if 

 the material from which the roots derive nourishment for the support 

 of the plant does not meet their requirements, the Vine cannot thrive. 

 Whether the border be made inside or outside the vinery must largely 

 depend upon circumstances. When the interior of the house is 

 required for the accommodation of other plants the border must be 

 outside. For the cultivation of mid- season and late Vines no other 

 need be wished for ; if, however, it is desired to have forced Grapes in 

 early spring, an inside border is preferable, because the temperature of 



