CHAPTER XXII 



HOW TO ERECT A FRUIT -HOUSE 

 By GEORGE BUNYARD 



The Foundation. — First level the soil and dig out holes for the corners large 

 enough to admit brick piers 14 inches by 14 inches or stones about 12 inches 

 square ; fix an iron dowel in the centre to receive the corner posts of the struc- 

 ture. Some provision for air should be made just above the ground line; air 

 bricks may be let in the wall, or an aperture made and covered outside and inside 

 with perforated zinc. If the house is more than 20 feet long, an extra founda- 

 tion to hold another support should be put in half-way between the ends. 



The Main Posts. — These should be 6 feet long and 6 inches square. Pre- 

 pare a hole in the foot to receive the dowel mentioned above ; this will keep the 

 framework firm. The main ground plate should be 4^ by 3 inches, and the top 

 plate of the same size. Support and make firm in the usual way with quartering 

 4i ^y 3 inches, and when this is fixed choose a dry day and pitch, tar, or cold 

 creosote the lower plates and all the woodwork 2 feet from the ground, to protect 

 from damp. The quartering should have an even exterior to which to secure 

 the matchboard. 



Outside Covering. — The cheapest material for this is |-inch matchboard, 

 and it may be fixed outside the roof rafters as well. Inside " bonds " from one 

 side of the house to the other are 4^ by 3 inches. If stout, they are useful to 

 hold planks upon which baskets can be placed overhead in the roof space. In 

 order to receive the side thatch, a board 6 inches wide is attached round the 

 door-plates at right angles and at the corners from the ground to the eaves ; in 

 it the thatch is placed upright, and is kept in position by lateral pieces of wood 

 3 inches by I inch. 



The Thatch may be 18 inches thick on the roof and 6 inches at the ends 

 and sides. Sedge or reed is strongest and lasts longest, but wheat straw or heather 

 may be used as thatch. 



Doors. — These must be provided both inside and outside; they should be 

 made to fit closely so as to exclude draughts. 



Windows. — In order that the fruit may be readily inspected, windows of 

 21-OZ. glass are inserted. This saves the use of a candle at storing time, but 

 outside shutters must be provided to keep the room dark at other times. 



Ventilation is provided by means of an opening, 18 by 18 inches, under 

 the apex of each end of the roof, a small opening also being left between the 

 shutters, which can be filled with hay or moss in severe weather. These open- 

 ings should be protected by perforated zinc fine enough to keep out wasps and 



