Book I. 



CULTURE OF THE CHERRY-HOUSE. 



565 



3130. Nicol does not force the newly planted cherry-house the first season. The established house he 

 begins in January, making fires so moderate for the first ten or twelve days, as that the thermometer shall 

 not rise by the force of the fire-heat to more than 40° ; afterwards increase the fire-heat gradually, and so 

 as to raise it to 45° ; at which keep as nearly as possible for the remainder of the month. In sunshine, in 

 good weather, the thermometer may be allowed to rise to 50° or 55°, but not more. In February, continue 

 to regulate the temperature of tiie house, so as that the thermometer may not rise, by the force of fire- 

 heat, to more than 50° ; and by the free admission of air in sunshine, keep it down to eO'' or 55'". In 

 March the fruit, will be setting, and the temperature of the house must therefore be kept as steadily as 

 possible to about 50^, lest the fruit drop ; this being the most critical period of the forcing with all stone- 

 fruit. In April the fruit will be beginning to color and swell ofF for ripening, when the temperature may 

 be raised four or five degrees. 



3131. Torbron says, " For the first three, four, or five weeks of lighting fires, if the weather be so 

 severe as to depress the thermometer in the open air from twenty-two to twelve degrees ; then let the 

 thermometer inside the house be kept from thirty-five to forty degrees, or just sufficient to exclude the 

 frost. If the weather be not severe during the above period, the thermometer may be kept to forty-five 

 degrees inside the house. As the season advances and becomes more mild, and the days longer, probably 

 about the first or middle of February, the thermometer may be raised to fifty degrees, and then it is expe- 

 dient to give gentle sprinklings by an engine or syringe, two or three times a week, in the evening. Whilst 

 the trees are in bloom, no sprinkling must be used ; but the flues, when only moderately hot, are to be 

 steamed morning and evening, and every day and hour of sunshine, and calm and mild weather, fresh air 

 must be copiously admitted. When the petals begin to drop, and when the Iruit is set, the temperature 

 may be raised to fifty-five degrees, the house being engined three or four times a week in the evening; 

 but never till the bloom is all down. When the cherries are completely stoned, the thermometer maybe 

 raised to sixty degrees by fire-heat, sprinkling every evening by engine, till the fruit is nearly ripe ; the 

 house may be kept higher by day, as well as by night, after stoning." [Hort. Trans, iv. 119.) 



3132. Watering. M'Phail waters occasionally at root and over the top, till the trees 

 are in blossom ; but when the stones in the fruit are become hard, the trees may be 

 washed all over occasionally with clean water, not too cold. " Let this be done in a fine 

 sunny morning, and take care not to spatter the fruit with any kind of dirt. In April, 

 when the cherries are grown large, give the border a good watering now and then, which 

 will enable the trees to swell their fruit to a good size : by keeping them in a healthy 

 growing state, the fruit will be line-flavored, and the trees will make strong flower-buds 

 for the ensuing season. If the fruit are not ripening, wash the trees occasionally, in a 

 fine sunshine morning, with sweet clean water." 



3133. Nicol, after he begins to force in January, " gives moderate supplies of water at the root ; and 

 once in two days, let them be well scourged with the engine ; first right and then left. This is done to re- 

 fresh the branches and infant foliage ; but chiefly, at this time, for the suppression and prevention of in- 

 sects that are as troublesome here as in any other forcing-house, and are easier kept down than brought 

 down," In February, " the plants must have regular and moderate supplies of water at the root till the 

 fruit be set, and then more freely, as the season, and as their growth advances. The engine may be ex- 

 ercised upon their branches, in a moderate manner, once in two days; generally in the afternoon, about 

 sunset ; using always well aired soft water. But from the time the flowers begin to open, until the petals 

 begin to drop again, desist from using the engine. At this interval, the foliage must be refreshed by 

 steam, which may be produced plentifully every evening, by pouring water on the flues when the fire is at 

 the strongest. A very fine dew might he thrown on the plants by a soft syringe ; but as soon as the fruit 

 is set, the engine is the instrument we should trust to for the suppression of insects." In March, the 

 fruit will be setting, and till this is completed, " the border should be kept rather in a drier state than here- 

 tofore; as if it be kept too moist, it may occasion their dropping; but afterwards, let it be regularly arnl 

 freely watered, in order to promote the growth of the plants, and the swelling of the fruit. Now again re- 

 sume the use of the engine ; and exercise it witn force upon the branches, every second day, for the sup- 

 pression of the red spider, and to keep the plants clean." In April, " when the fruit begins to color and 

 swell off", withhold water from the border by degrees, and towards their being ripe, entirely. At this time 

 also, watering with the engine must be withheld ; but previously exercise it with force, and often, for a 

 week or two, so as completely to subdue the red sjnder, if he have gained any ground lately. After the croj) 

 is gathered, these waterings must be resumed, and should be continued till the foliage begin to drop ; not, 

 however, so much on account of the cherry-trees, as on account of other plants that maybe placed in the 

 house ; for if the enemy be allowed a footing on the former, he will soon show himself on the latter, where 

 perhaps he may be less vulnerable, especially if the plants be of a tender kind. The border may be kejjt in 

 a moderately moist state till the leaves fall, or till the house be exposed, or be uncovered." 



3134. Torbron says, " From the time the flower begins to open, till the fruit is completely stoned, 

 the soil should be but sparingly watered; but when the stoning is effected, water may be applied to the 

 roots freely, till the fruit is nearly ripe." {Hort. Trans, iv. 119.) 



3135. Air. " In forcing the cherry, it is essential to continue a free renovation of 

 air ; always^ sustaining the minimum heat in the different stages. The blossoms will 

 sometimes fall abortive, or the young fruit drop off after setting, from no other cause 

 than a stagnant atmosphere. " At first beginning to force, M'Phail gives pknty of air 

 night and day. In February, when the trees are in blossom, " let air be at the house 

 day and night ; and as much as you can when the fruit are swelling oflT." 



3136. Nicol says, the airing of the cherry-house may be performed by the sashes, with every safety, till 

 the buds begin to expand ; and after that, in frosty or bad weather, air may be admitted by the ventilators. 

 In February, nothing is more conducive to the health of the plants, and the setting of the fruit, than a 

 regular and free circulation of air ; and if this be denied them for many days together, the effect will soon 

 be visible. The foliage will become languid, and the flowers will drop away. Therefore a day should not 

 pass in which less or more air is not admitted. As the fruit ripen, give as large and regular portions of air 

 as possible ; opening the sashes by eight or nine in the morning; giving full air about ten ; reducing about 

 two or three ; and shutting up about four or five, sooner or later, according to the state of the atmosphere. 

 In conductirig this matter, however, regard must be had to the temperature ; but air may be admitted, in 

 sunshine, to such an extent as to keep down the mercury or spirits in the thermometer to 65°, and at other 

 times to 60°. {Kal. p. 339.) 



3137. Torbron says, " The cherry, in forcing, requiring more fresh air than most other fruits, particular 

 attention must be paid to its admission, by the gardener having it in his power occasionally to make as 

 many inlets or openings as convenient. It will be conducive to this end, that the roof, and the upright or 

 front sashes, if any, be moveable, and all with little dillicuKy ; because in changeable weather, the current 

 of air may be required to be augmented or reduced many times in one day. Air must be admitted freely and 



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