January 3, 1384. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
11 
judicious action ; the trees indeed have to be regarded as so many 
specimen plants, and watched and treated accordingly. That they 
receive this care their condition testifies, and the success achieved 
becomes the greater since it is attained under the obstacles alluded to. 
Difficulties are opportunities that the man of skill and mettle covets, and 
to surmount or remove them is his greatest reward. 
But there is a bird difficulty at Wilton as in other places, and if the 
spring frosts, which are very destructive in the damp valley, did not 
destroy the blossoms of Cherry trees there was yet no fruit for the noble 
owner. Both frost and birds have been successfully combated by one 
simple operation and inexpensive contrivance. Over a loug row of 
pyramid Cherries a light framework of 2-inch deal battens has been 
erected. Posts are fixed at intervals above each side of the row 
and well beyond the branches of the trees. These uprights are 8 or 
9 feet apart and slant inwards, meeting at the top within about 3 feet. 
This space is bridged with glass—just a double glass coping, formed 
by one row of large panes along each side fixed on the safe, simple, 
and excellent plan devised by Mr. Challis for glazing Peach houses 
and vineries. The upright posts are stayed by two rows of cross¬ 
bars, and the whole made rigid. The framework is then covered with 
small-meshed woollen netting. The result is the glass coping throws 
shovelful or two of fresh soil, and thus the supply is maintained without 
much more trouble than is involved in growing Cauliflowers, while a 
fruit is usually ready when it is wanted. This may be termed Pine¬ 
growing-made-easy, and healthy plants and excellent fruit are produced. 
The next range is a three-quarter span about 10 feet wide, the path being 
under the ridge, a bed on one side for Melons, with hot-water pipes 
running round the top of it, and shelves on the other side for plants, 
such as Strawberries and Kidney Beans—one of the most useful and 
handy of structures for various purposes. In the other divisions are 
Vines grown on the extension system, yet the roots are confined to a 
border 3 feet wide and less in depth. Nothing could be more satisfactory, 
good crops of excellent Grapes being unfailingly produced, a variety 
known as Keynes’ Muscat being highly prized. Particulars of the grand 
Peach range and a striking example of “ growing Vines without soil ” must 
be deferred till a future issue.—J. Wright. 
KEW GARDENS—YOUNG MEN’S ROOMS. 
I WAS much pleased with the suggestions by “ Veritas ” in his “ Notes 
at Kew,” regarding the desirability of a suitable structure wherein to 
display the beauties of the large number of half-hardy plants that are 
FIG. 2.—WILTON HOUSE. 
ofE heavy autumn rains, and the wood made is sturdy, matures, and is 
fruitful; shelter is also afforded from spring frosts, and the blossom sets, 
while the netted sides exclude the voracious birds. The value of the 
first crop of fruit exceeded the entire cost of this efficient protector, and 
it will answer its useful purpose for years. As a rule pyramid Cherry 
trees are comparatively valueless as dotted about in gardens, as the birds 
gather the fruit; but planted in a row and protected as at Wilton, 
disappointment ends, and the pleasure of gathering this much-esteemed 
fruit in abundance is enjoyed by the cultivator. 
The “glass department” is extensive, the houses being admirably 
adapted for their purpose, and well arranged. They were designed by 
and erected under Mr. Cballis’s supervision, and although the system is 
not so complete as was originally intended, in consequence of the death 
of Lord Herbert, who was a great improver, the large portion completed 
has been done well. There is one relic of the past—a quaint old Peach 
house, with grand old octogenarian, perhaps, centenarian, trees, but with 
this exception the structures are modern. Five ranges of pits and houses, 
most of them in three divisions, each 100 feet long, are most useful. The 
front range is a low narrow span-roofed pit with moveable lights, in 
which Pines are planted. When a fruit is cut a sucker is inserted in a 
cultivated in pots and stowed away in pits and frames in the private 
departments. The hundreds of floral gems of a tender character that 
unfold their flowers in obscurity is, to my mind, lamentable, as 99 per 
cent, of ordinary visitors never see them. That a visitor has only to ask 
where particular plants are and he will be directed to them I grant, but 
thousands do not know for what to inquire, and these it is desirable to 
educate horticulturally. What better way is there of doing such a good 
work than by bringing together and displaying to advantage some of the 
neglected, and many of the comparatively unknown members of this 
class for plants 1 
In regard to the proposed accommodation for the young gardeners 
I think the authorities gave a similar suggestion consideration some years 
ago, and concluded that it was impracticable or undesirable, or both, 
from their point of view. I am cognisant of some of the most serious 
objections used against the scheme, and I frankly admit their importance, 
but I consider they are not insurmountable, and if there were the same 
desire to promote the comfort of the young men employed in the gardens 
as to advance other alterations and improvements I feel sure all obstacles 
w ould have been overcome long ere this. It is not absolutely necessary 
that the bothy or bothies should be in the gardens, but of course the 
