asjtrat t Jriylands. 



391 



behind, and about 4 ft. in front; the bottom of the pit being 



on a slope, so that the 

 back wall is between 1 

 and 2 ft. higher than the 

 front wall. A space in 

 front of the pit {fig. 138. 

 a) is divided from it by a 

 boarded partition {b), and 

 is destined for containing 

 the mould in which the 

 vines and peaches are grown. This partition is of boards 

 rather than of bricks, for the more easy transmission of the 

 heat from the dung to the earth. The main body of the pit is 

 divided by cross walls of one brick in thickness" (e), into divi- 

 sions of 8 ft., or two lights each. In the centre of the boarded 

 partition, a board about 2 ft. by 18 in., with a gap on its under 

 edge for the stem of a tree {fig. 140. a), takes out; and this 



board, and also the coping behind, 

 have a notch for the fitting in of a 

 movable rafter, on which to rest the 

 two sashes which cover each division. 

 {d,figs. 138, 139, and 140.) There 

 is also on the boarded partition an 

 t iron stop for each sash, as in the hot- 

 ^bed frames, {figs. 133.6, and 140. e) 

 Raspberries, at Hylands, are planted 

 inside of the pit, in a border about 

 18 in. wide, for that purpose ; the stems of the plants, when the 

 latter are very vigorous, extend the width of the pit. Where 

 raspberries are to be forced extensively, the whole front of 

 the pit, to the depth of 18 in. might be made movable, in 

 order to admit a continued bed of stems (Jig. 138. f); and, as 

 the wood of raspberries will not reach more than half way to 

 the back of one of the main divisions, a temporary partition, 

 for the mould of a second set of plants, may be formed along 

 the back of the pit. {fig. 138. g) The trellis on which the 

 trees are trained is formed in the usual manner, and placed 

 18 in. under the glass {fig- 139. h) ; and close beneath this 

 trellis is placed a frame, the size of the division, covered with 

 oil paper, {fig. 139. i) The interstices between this paper 

 frame and the walls of the pit being carefully caulked with tow 

 or wool. Moss would do, but it is said to be a great harbour 

 for vermin, such as ants, which would easily crumble it to 

 pieces. The use of these paper frames is to prevent the steam 

 of the dung from coming in contact with the peach, nectarine, 



c c 4 



