474 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



inches to 18 inches from the soil. The two strong shoots at the 

 upper portion are then trained over the trellis and all those below 

 rubbed out, the main shoots being again stopped at 3 feet to 4 feet 

 as advised above for the single shoots. Grown thus plants, soil, 

 and labour are saved at the start, but more attention is needed to 

 secure a full set of fruit. The single growth system at the start is 

 preferable for beginners, and by doing so an earlier set is obtained. 



Frame Culture is very similar. The temperatures given above 

 cannot in this method of culture be kept up, but much may be done 

 by careful ventilation, early closing, covering at night, and giving a 

 thin shade in the day to avoid scorching. Manure will be the heating 

 agency, and place this in sufficient quantity to start the plants freely. 

 If put out in May the plants should bear fruit at the end of August. 

 When planting keep the frame close for a few days, and with frame 

 culture less water is needed, but the soil should be moist all over. A 

 bushel of soil to each plant or light at the start will suffice. Peg 

 the growths down when large enough to the soil, stop at 18 inches, 

 and train two or three shoots over the surface. Stop these growths 

 when plenty of fruit shows, and then set the fruit as advised for house 

 cultivation, keeping the plants drier and admitting more air. When 

 large enough place the fruits on slates or tiles to keep them from the 

 soil, and useless growths must be removed, as with frame culture 

 ample light is important. Excellent Melons may also be grown in 

 cold frames ; but grown thus greater care is needed in watering and 

 ventilating. 



Nectarines and Peaches. The Nectarine is a popular hardy 

 fruit ; it is very pretty and of rich vinous flavour. Moreover, the trees 

 are easily grown, and will succeed on open walls as well as in borders 

 and pots under glass. Nectarines may be grown in either a span- 

 roofed or lean-to structure, which must be light and well-ventilated, 

 and supplied with sufficient hot-water piping. The border, which may 

 be either inside or outside the house, should be about z\ feet deep, 

 and where the subsoil is clayey, cover it with concrete, and have a 

 good fall and a 4-inch drain pipe to carry off superfluous water. 

 Several inches of broken bricks should be laid in the bottom of the 

 border, and these must be covered with turf, grass side downwards, to 

 prevent the soil from blocking the drainage. Where, however, the 

 subsoil is naturally porous, no concrete will be necessary. Nectarines 

 succeed best in good loamy soil, rather strong than otherwise, with 

 a good quantity of mortar or plaster refuse added. Animal manure 

 should not be used, as it encourages a too strong growth. The 

 firmer the border is made the better. Choose healthy, evenly-balanced 

 trees free from canker, and plant them in November or December. 

 Remove all unripe wood and coarse or damaged roots with a sharp 

 knife, and spread out the rest evenly, covering them with about 

 4 inches of soil, making it very firm. Give a gentle watering, and cover 

 the surface lightly with leaf-mould or short manure to keep it moist. 

 Keep the house very cool and airy during winter, and allow the trees 



