BODDINGTON'S ^A^UltlVV PLANTS" 



111 



Fruit Trees Under Glass 



By WILLIAM TURNER 



The forcing of fruits under glass is rapidly on the increase; probably 

 there is more space devoted to grapes than to any other one fruit, when 

 little space is at command ; or, in other words, an early-house, mid- 

 season and late. Ripe grapes may be had, say, from the middle of May 

 till Christmas or the New Year. 



In producing fruit under glass, the aim should be to attain those as 

 near perfection as possible. Two or three things may be considered in 

 this respect. The first, and one of the most important things to be con- 

 sidered, is the border, about which it will be impossible to enter into 

 detail in this short article. All fruit men know the value of a well- 

 drained border ; this assuredly is one of the secrets of success in fruit- 

 growing. 2d.- — Watering. Grape-vines delight in plenty of moisture, 

 but judgment must be used as to the quantity. Take, for instance, the 

 time when grapes start to color; a heavy watering at that period should 

 be avoided, otherwise there is danger of deficiency in finish or color 

 3d.— Airing is another important factor in fruit-culture. A man who is 

 careless in this respect will certainly fall short. E.xtreme changes must 

 be avoided, otherwise red spider and mildew will be the result. 



Borders. — The question has often been asked. Which are to be pre- 

 ferred, inside borders only, or, both inside and out? Good grapes have 

 been grown under both systems, but the tendency today is more 

 toward confining the roots wholly inside. Certainly, for early forcing 

 inside borders are preferred, but for midseason and late it is immaterial, 

 unless the fruit houses are on low ground, then by all means keep the 

 roots inside. The house best adapted for fruit-growing is one with a 

 span roof running north and south, say about 25 feet in width, with 

 double vents both top and bottom. 



Depth of Border.— A grape border should have a depth of good soil 

 from 2 '•2 to 3 feet, making sure there is good drainage below to carry 

 off the water. Soil for the border is best secured from sod land. Vines 

 are not particular as to soil, but a medium loam is to be preferred. 

 This could be plowed and hauled direct to the house. Bone is one ot 

 the main ingredients to mi.\ with the soil, using a coarse grade at the 

 bottom and finer towards the top ; in fact, nothing is better than Thom- 

 son's vine manure at the ratio of one 112-lb. bag to four team-loads of 

 soil. It is a mistake to make borders too rich ; it is better to feed from 

 the surface after the vines get established. While we are growing fruit 

 artificially, we must not forget to follow nature. For instance, a grapery 

 started the middle of December recjuires a considerable amount of pa 

 tience, as, upon going day after day, the eye can see no change ; still 

 we are gradually acclimatizing the vines for their season's work. Since 

 it takes a month or more to detect the move under these conditions, 

 beware of rushing in too much heat. In starting a house in December, 

 begin with a temperature of 45° at night and 50° to 55° during the day, 

 gradually raising it 5° every 12 days until 65° night temperature is 

 reached. This should carry them till they are in bloom, when a tem- 

 perature of 70° at night and 80° by day will be in order. There is quite a 

 variety of hothouse grapes to select from, and it is a mistake to plant 

 too many varieties in a house. Black Hamburgh, Buckland Sweet 

 Water and Foster's .Seedling are satisfactory for an early-house, w itii 

 probably two or three canes of Muscat of Alexandria; midseason - 

 liouse, Muscat of Ale.xnndria; late-house, Gross Maroe, Gross 

 Colman, Appley's Towers, Lady Hutt, Barbarossa. 



PEACHES AND NECTARINES.— Space will not permit cultural 

 directions for these, but the following will give a long season : Nee 

 tarines, early— Cardinal, Karly Rivers, Advance; midseason— Stan- 

 wick Elruge, Chaucer, Humboldt ; late— Newton, .Spencer, Victoria. 



PEACHES. Farly— Duchess of Cornwall, Hale's Early, Grosse 

 Miguoime ; midsea.son— Peregrin, Dymond, Bellegarde; late — Princess 

 of Wales, Thomas Rivers, Crawford's Late. 



PEARS. — Bartlett, Souv. de Congress, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Prin 

 cess Margaret, Beurre Hardy, Pitmaston Duchesse, Beurre Diel. 



Fear, Beurre Hardy ; grown in a pot under glass 



