222 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



It will be seen from the section of the house I 

 recommend, that the bed for the soil is 18 inches deep. 

 This depth may not be necessary for very early and late 

 forcing, but for crops in the heat of summer I recom- 

 mend a depth of soil of from 12 to 14 inches, according 

 as the loam may be lighter or more adhesive in texture ; 

 and having a decided objection to laying the loam on 

 the pavement without an intervening layer of some more 

 open material, such as leaves, to the depth of 4 inches, 

 18 inches give sufficient room for these depths of 

 materials. I have always noticed that a body of close 

 soil laid on smooth stone or wooden surfaces, without 

 some material to act as drainage, becomes soured and 

 inert next these surfaces. The side ventilators, whether 

 they be in the form of glass upright lights or wooden venti- 

 lators in the side walls, should have perforated zinc nailed 

 over the openings, to moderate the entrance of cold air 

 when such is required ; and the openings should be either 

 directly under or opposite the hot- water pipes, so that the 

 air may be heated in entering the house. Unless it be in 

 summer weather, and that more especially when the fruit 

 are setting or ripening, 1 do not recommend front or side 

 ventilation. My general aversion to very small houses, 

 where a steady and high temperature has to be maintained, 

 is as strong in the case of melons as in that of forcing vines 

 and peaches ; and consequently I recommend something 

 more extensive than a place that can just be crept into, 

 which is in every respect inconvenient and undesirable. 



I have recommended a greater depth of soil for melon- 

 houses where the plants are more fully surrounded by 

 light and air than in a dung-bed, and for the same rea- 

 son it should be a little richer, and certainly not less re^ 

 tentive ; and for summer crops I have always put all the 



