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PROTECTED TRELLISES FOR THE 



front it would be better to enclose it with small glass sashes, fixed 

 at an angle about twice as steep as the roof; this would afford 

 additional training room, and ensure the free access of light to 

 every part of the tree. These front sashes should also be on 

 hinges, in order that they may be propped open to any extent, 

 and thus a free circulation of air be secured, and increased or 

 diminished at pleasure. The whole of the interior should be 

 painted or coloured white, that the greatest possible quantity of 

 light may be reflected amongst the foliage. 



It may be urged that the entire closing of the frame, and the 

 consequent introduction of ventilation, will add to the trouble of 

 management, but the additional advantages gained by these 

 arrangements are so obvious as to destroy at once any objections 

 made against the trifling labour of opening and closing the small 

 sashes, and the board at the back. I admire the original idea so 

 much that I wish to see it worked out perfect and complete in all 

 its parts, so that the plan may do away in a great measure with 

 the necessity of constructing walls for the cultivation of these 

 fruits, as they are much more expensive, and, as I have stated, 

 do not answer the desired end. This induces me to urge the 

 propriety of a slight additional outlay to that which was proposed 

 in the original plan, and thus make it twice as serviceable. 

 When completed, the peach-frame, if I may so call it, will have 

 every advantage possessed by a peach-house, excepting artificial 

 heat ; and as the trees are not designed for forcing, the rays of 

 the sun will supply all the heat that is required. If it be desired 

 to take advantage of the warm, sunny days in spring, to start the 

 trees somewhat earlier than they would naturally break, the roof 

 should be provided with shutters or a roll of canvas or matting, 

 to assist in retaining the heat which has been accumulated during 

 the day, and especially to exclude cold spring frosts. If canvas 

 or light tarpauling be adopted, it may be made to work very 

 easily by nailing one edge to the upper end of the lights, and the 

 other to a light roller of a convenient length. A cord of suf- 

 ficient strength must be nailed to the woodwork, near each of the 

 upper corners of the canvas, and after passing under and return- 

 ing over it, the ends of the two cords should be tied together at 

 the back of the frame ; by pulling these ends the piece of canvas 

 or tarpauling will be drawn up and secured in much less time 

 than I have taken to describe it. The length of each roller may 

 be from 18 to 28 feet, according to the weight of the material 

 employed for covering. 



Another advantage gained by entirely closing the frames is, 

 the facility which is thereby afforded for fumigating aphides, 

 which are so troublesome to our peaches on walls, and where the 

 easiest method of getting rid of them is by means of the engine. 



