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THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
THE VALUE OE GLASS IN THE CULTIVATION OF 
FRUIT. 
HE mischievous effects on tlie fruit crop of the frost of 
May 19-20 afford another important lesson on the value 
of glass in the production of home-grown fruit. We have 
several times directed the attention of our readers to 
the immense value of glass, and have, from time to 
time, presented illustrations of temporary and other coverings, de- 
signed for tlie protection of wall-trees, for the purpose of affording 
them all the help we can. We now return to the subject, and trust 
that the arguments advanced in favour of the more extended employ- 
ment of glass in iruit culture will have lair consideration. 
At the onset, we would observe that the cultivation of fruit in 
this country is not in quite so deplorable a state as to demand a 
revolution as the alternative of its entire abandonment. Our exhi- 
bitions keep Us constantly reminded, that in all parts of the country 
the best fruits are skilfully treated and thoroughly appreciated, and, 
lienerally speaking, we believe sufficient is produced for our own 
consumption, though our markets are largely supplied with foreign 
produce. Communications with the Continent are now so rapid 
and certain, and the cost of freightage is, comparatively speaking, 
so small, that the foreigner, employing labour at a cheaper rate than 
rules here, renting land at less than English averages, and with a 
more intense and continuous flood of sunshine gratis, can compete 
with our own growers advantageously, and is likely, therefore, to a 
great extent, to keep command of our markets in respect of certain 
classes of produce. Nevertheless. English-grown fruit is by no 
means at a discount. First-class English grape.s, which surpass in 
quality all other grapes, no matter where in the world they are 
produced, realize prices that are calculated to encourage home cul- 
tivation of this best of fruits. As to the general management of 
fruit gardens, our practice is not quite antiquated, and perhaps a 
little of what might by some be called retrogression would be for 
our benefit. As to peaches and wall-trees generally, we see them 
in good gardens superbly managed, and on the fan-shaped system 
of training and its lew modifications, the trees are, in a majority 
of instances, in perfect healtli, and in favourable seasons, abun- 
dantly fruitful. We have two special enemies to contend with — 
the late frosts that destroy the embryo fruit or nip the blossom in 
the bud, and the dull, damp weather commonly prevailing in autumn, 
which interfeies materially with the perfect ripening of the wood. 
Tl/e antidote to these two evils is to be found in the more general 
employment of glass. First-rate grapes and peaches can only be 
obtained, except in highly-favoured districts, with the aid of some 
kind of shelter, whether in the form of a glass-covered wall, a 
spacious and well-fitted house, or the more humble but highly 
useful “ground vinery.” It is quite certain that the judicious 
use of glass in fruit culture will always quickly repay its cost, both 
in the greater certainty and quantity as well as in the superior 
