56 



THE OECHARD AKD FllIJIT GARDEIs". 



A wheelbarrow for conveying earth, manure, or other 

 things, ladders and steps of different heights for reaching 

 tall trees, either to cut them or to gather the fruit, and 

 baskets, are indispensable. A budding-knife is convenient 

 for its own work ; and there are many natty contrivances 

 which may be had or done without at pleasure. 



Averruncators are small, powerful shears on long 

 handles, for pruning high trees ; the price is about 205. 

 each. There are also appropriate scissors sold for 

 thinning grapes, and various other purposes. Hammers 

 and a few tools of that kind are occasionally wanted. 

 In the neighbourhood of London, trees are trained by 

 means of shreds and cast-iron wall nails. In some parts 

 of the country nails for fixing the trees to are fixtures 

 on the wall, and the trees are attached to them by withies 

 (willow twigs). In other parts, again, tarred shreds of 

 cord are used. 



A good fruit-room is a necessary adjunct to every 

 garden wherein fruit prospers, for most fruit has to be 

 gathered before it is ripe, to prevent its being spoiled by 

 falling, which it will do as soon as it is perfectly ripe. 

 When the fruit has attained its full size, and will leave 

 the tree easily by simply lifting, not breaking, the stalk, 

 the ripening process, a formation of sugar and attendant 

 exhalation of carbonic acid and water, goes on as well 

 when it is stored as on the tree, for by that time the 

 functions of the leaves, being no longer necessary, cease. 



The apple and pear room should be neither hot nor 

 cold, uniform in temperature, and dry. Some persons 

 recommend a situation below the ground, that the tem- 

 perature may not fluctuate ; but it is important that it 

 should be airy and dry, and therefore I think a good room 

 above ground better. Let it have easily regulated, good 

 ventilation, and a north aspect, with means for efi*ectually 

 keeping out frost. An underground storing place, to be 

 sufficiently dry, should be drained, floored with concrete, 

 and the foundation of the walls laid in cement. This 

 will not only keep the place dry, but it will eff^ectually 

 keep out rats and mice — great pests among the fruit. 

 The best temperature for a fruit-room is never above 60^ 



