118 Instructions for Forcing Cherries. 



slip down, in order to admit fresh air. I believe this to be 

 an uncommon structure, and it may perhaps be objected to ; 

 but I am confident that it will suit well for Cherries, for I 

 have constructed such places even for forcing Peaches, with 

 good success, as well as for maturing and preserving a late 

 crop of Grapes. In such a building I have kept Grapes fit 

 for use till the middle of February, for three or four years in 

 succession. 



If Cherries be required to ripen early in the season, the 

 house must be shut in, about the beginning of December, and 

 the fires lighted about the third or last week of that month. 

 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 22° to 12° of Fahrenheit, then let the ther- 

 mometer inside the house be kept from 35° to 40°, or just 

 sufficient to exclude the frost. If the weather be not se- 

 vere during the above period, the thermometer may be kept 

 to 45° inside the house. As the season advances and be- 

 comes more mild, and the days longer, probably about the 

 first or middle of February, the thermometer may be raised 

 to 50°, and then it is expedient to give gentle sprinklings by 

 an engine or syringe two or three times a week, in the even- 

 ing. Whilst the trees are in bloom, no sprinkling must be 

 used ; but the flues are to be steamed * morning and evening, 

 and every day or hour of sunshine, and calm and mild wea- 

 ther, fresh air must be copiously admitted. When the petals 

 begin to drop, and when the fruit is set, the temperature may 

 be raised to 55°, the house being engined three or four times 



* When the flues are very hot it is dangerous to pour or to sprinkle water upon 

 thorn, lest the hot steam should injure the tender leaves, flowers, &c. 



