168 Gardening in Yorkshire. 



and nut trees: that on the east is now used partly as a nursery, 

 and partly for growing potatoes ; but it is intended to plant there 

 the rhubarb and sea-kale for forcing, that no unsightly litter might 

 disfigure the principal garden. The melon-ground, which also 

 contains the fruiting pine-stove, is on the north side of the gar- 

 den, close to the stable-yard, and to another yard for the reception 

 of dung, leaves, and rubbish. 



I have been somewhat diffuse in describing this garden, be- 

 cause I consider that its form and general arrangements are, 

 with a few exceptions, excellently adapted to convenience of 

 working, and well deserving of imitation where practicable. As 

 to management and cleanliness, I have not seen any kitchen- 

 garden equal to that at Brough : scarcely a weed can be found at 

 any time ; and the crops, so far as they depend upon the skill 

 and industry of the gardener (Mr. Burrow), are invariably good. 

 Leaves are used in the pineries as a substitute for bark, and with 

 the best results. As a fermenting material, leaves are much, 

 superior to bark, not being liable to those almost ungovernable 

 extremes to which bark is subject. Oak leaves are best, because 

 they resist decomposition longer, perhaps, than any others ; 

 but, as oak leaves can seldom be procured alone, a mixture of 

 sorts in which they predominate may be used. Leaves require, 

 no sweating, or other preparation ; they may be gathered and 

 conveyed directly to the pits: care should be taken, howevei', 

 that the pit be well drained, and that the leaves are not very 

 wet, or they will soon decay. They should also be trodden 

 firmly and regularly, to prevent uneven settling. Eight or ten 

 inches of bark, according to the depth of the pine-pots, should 

 be spread over the top, which will prevent the too rapid escape 

 of heat from the leaves, and likewise be much better to plunge 

 the pots into. A bed thus formed will retain a nearly uniform, 

 temperature for months. 



The plan upon which the peach-houses are constructed is 

 superior, in regard to economy of space, to any of those described 

 in the Encyclopaedia of Gardening., or, so far as I know, in any 

 other work on horticulture. The following description and di- 

 mensions are taken from a peach-house on the same general plan 

 as those at Brough, but differing in several details. Length, 

 32 ft.; width, 16 ft.; height at the back, 12 ft.; height at the 

 front, 4 ft. 6 in. The upright front sashes are hung by hinges 

 to the upper wall-plate, and open outwards at the bottom for the 

 purpose of admitting air. Every alternate upper light is likewise 

 movable in the usual way. The flue enters the house at one 

 end, beneath the back walk, and passes along the front and 

 the other end, 1 ft. from the glass, returning along the house, 

 3 ft. 6 in. from the back wall, to the place where it entered ; it 

 then dips again under the walk, and enters the back wall. The 



