28 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ January 10, 1884. 
5 feet apart, and crossing them at right angles are 2J by 1^ inch 
purlins, to which the glass is attached. The glass covers the entire 
woodwork, the squares being fixed by a method which, after studying 
most others, Mr. Challis devised for himself. It is extremely simple and 
absolutely strong, the roof drip-proof but not air-proof. A square can be 
removed in a moment from any portion of the roof and replaced. This 
is done from the inside, so there is no difficulty in the matter of repairs, 
if such should be needed. The glass is fixed in copper clips that are 
secured to the purlins by nails of the same metal; two clips to each pane 
of 24 inches by 18 inches, the laps of the glass being immediately over 
the purlins. The clips are punched, slight elevated points being thus 
formed on the opposite side. On these the glass rests, hence a free 
passage is afforded for any condensed moisture to trickle through and on 
to the square below, while at the same time it follows that the space for 
the exit of moisture is available for the ingress of air. In a roof thus 
glazed there is small chance of the foliage of trees or Vines scorching, 
and the probability is similarly remote of the space between the laps 
being filled with water or ice, which in the one case seals the roof, and 
now, the difficulty being to secure the edge of the trellis firmly next the 
path, as obviously the second row could not be in line with the supporting 
column under each rafter. Given a light roof this is unquestionably the 
best method of arrangement and planting a tolerably large Peach house, 
as not only can the back wall be covered with fruitful trees, but the trellis 
surface is much greater than by the common form of arching over the 
border or training the trees under the roof after the manner of Vines. By 
the single cross trellises, and the occupation of space overhead, Mr. Challis 
has ascertained that he obtains three and a half times the bearing surface 
over that afforded by an ordinary curvilinear trellis formed over the 
border; and with a double row of trees the surface would be pro¬ 
portionally increased. The gain would, of course, not be so great in 
low and narrow houses ; but the economical plan to adopt by those who 
desire the greatest amount of produce for their outlay is to erect wide 
and lofty structures as light as possible. But what of the trees in the 
house under notice ? They had been planted three years, and every inch 
of the trellises was covered. Only twice before have I seen such rapid 
growth—once at Wortley, young trees grown by Mr. Simpson under 
Fig. 5.—PEACH HOUSE AT WILTON. 
in the other is liable to cause breakage of the glass. The strength of this j 
system of glazing was accidentally tested. A span-roofed Bose house 
was being covered. One side was done when a violent storm rose. 
Although the wind, which uprooted trees, blew directly on the under 
side of the glazed portion for hours, not a square was transfixed, and the 
safety of the method was established. 
The Peach house is trellised across the border from the ground to the 
roof, also over the doors and path to the back wall, which also is wired 
and covered with trees. The vertical trellises are 5 feet apart-—that is, 
one under each rafter, and the light iron columns that support the roof 
act also as supports to the trellises next the walk. In one instance a 
double row of trees is formed across the border, the space between the 
trees being about a foot, and experience has shown that practically twice 
the quantity of fruit is obtained by this arrangement, or, in other words, 
the addition of a second row has not impaired the producing power of 
the first. This is a distinct gain, and it is certain that if Mr. Challis 
were erecting another Peach house similarly large and light, provision 
would be made for having double rows of trees across the border ; indeed 
it is not improbable that some scheme will be devised for having them 
glass ; and previously at Oldlands, with trees on an open wall grown by 
Mr. Luckhurst, and in all three instances the fruit produced by this 
generous system of culture was of the first size, colour, and quality. The 
back walls of the houses are covered with Figs which, receiving abundance 
of light, thrive satisfactorily. 
The varieties of Peaches and a few Nectarines which are found to 
give a long succession of superior fruit at Wilton are the following, 
which ripen somewhat in the order named. Early house — Early 
Beatrice, Early Louise, Hales’ Early, Dr. Ho^g, Grosse Mignonne, Stir¬ 
ling Castle, with Rivers’ Early Orange and Elruge Nectarines. Second 
house — Royal George, Noblesse, Exquisite, Barrington, Walburton 
Admirable, with Violette Hfitive, Pine Apple, and Victoria Nectarines. 
As affording a better idea than can be conveyed in writing of the 
trellis arrangement in the houses in question, a figure is introduced 
of the end division. The top ventilating gear on the north side, which 
is not shown, being similar to that on the south side. The hot-air pipes 
and perforated ventilators are shown at back and front, and the arrange¬ 
ments will now be comprehended. The walls are of cement. The 
method of glazing is given except the indentations in the clips for 
