THE PEACH-HOUSE. . 159 



They may be very plain or very ornate, as the taste 

 and means of the proprietor will allow. As they are es- 

 sentially a luxury, good taste will dictate that they be at 

 least neat and pleasant to the eye. "When means are at 

 command, they may be made very ornamental and at- 

 tractive. 



The management of a peach-house, or vinery, is one of 

 the most delicate and important branches of horticulture, 

 and requires constant attention and care. The three es- 

 sentials are — pure air, proper temperature, and cleanliness. 

 These are about as necessary to the life of a tree as to 

 that of a man. The first is at hand in inexhaustible 

 quantity, and all the gardener has to do is to open the 

 windows and let it in. But he must take care when he 

 does it, and how he does it, for his charge is almost as 

 tender as the little ones of the nursery, and almost as 

 easily injured by ignorance or carelessness. 



When the forcing commences, and it may commence as 

 early as January, the temperature may range from fifty 

 to fifty-five degrees, Fahrenheit, in the evenings and 

 mornings. At night it may fall a little below even fifty 

 without detriment. As soon as the buds have burst it 

 may be raised to seventy, and when the flowers appear, 

 four or five degrees higher. From the time the fl.owers 

 appear until the fruit is set, the air must be kept mildly 

 moist, and this can be done by frequent sprinklings with 

 a syringe, which may also serve to cleanse the leaves and 

 branches. Even after the fruit is set, and somewhat 

 advanced in growth, these sprinklings will be necessary. 

 When the season advances, and the lieat reaches seventy- 

 five degrees outside, no artificial heat will be needed, ex- 

 cept in cold evenings, when a little must be introduced to 

 prevent chilling, or in murky weather, to drive away the 

 unhealthy humid atmosphere. 



Frequent washings with a garden syringe will do much 

 to preserve the freshness and health of the traes, as well 



