155 



The temperatures employed by Mr. Hutchinson 

 are as follow : — For the first it is kept at 55 degrees 

 during the day, and afterwards as near 60 as possible, 

 and when the sun shines air is sparingly admitted, but 

 it would be more freely if it were not for pines being 

 cultivated in the same house. During March, after 

 the fruit is set, the day temperature is from 80 to 85 

 degs. ; but after the stones are formed, from 90 to 

 100 degs., but the night temperature never above 60. 

 Trees have been thus forced until they were 16 years 

 old, and will continue longer probably. (Gard, 

 Chron, 1843, 267.) By employing such high tem- 

 peratures, Mr. Hutchinson gathered ripe peaches on 

 the 7th of April, though forcing only commenced on 

 the 25th of November. 



Facts are stubborn things, or we certainly should 

 have hesitated before we recommended such very high 

 temperatures. That peaches will endure a great 

 amount of heat, we are perfectly aware ; but such a 

 great amount of night heat is certainly unknown in 

 our practice. Mr. Hutchinson has, however, it would 

 appear, been successful. W e would advise those be- 

 ginning to try their hand at peach-forcing in pots to 

 be content with a much more moderate amount — at 

 least for a season. We are very partial to high tem- 

 peratures during sunshine, provided a due motion or 

 circulation of air is kept up, with some little moisture 

 of a permanent character in the atmosphere. High 



