4 
JOURNXL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Ju'y 2, 1891 
surprising the quantity of fruit they carry off. Matting the bushes is 
another means often adopted in the case of Red and White Currants, 
or Gooseberries, but it entails much labour and material, and in the 
end is not quite satisfactory. It is remarkable that birds very soon 
discover where good fruit is to be had, and they can also pick out the 
best. Again, in dry seasons birds become bolder, due, no doubt, to the 
scarcity of wild fruits or the short season in which they can be obtained. 
In order to guard against this evil I would strongly recommend the 
erection of wooden structures covered with wire netting. A house of 
this description costs very little, and serves its purpose better than any¬ 
thing I know. It can also be covered with roller blinds to protect the 
trees when in flower against frost, and when the fruit is ripe they can 
be used to shade it from bright sunshine, and thus help to retard and 
prolong its season. 
The Best Fruits. 
The fruit trees best suited for planting in a house of this description 
are Cherries, the season of which can be considerably lengthened in 
this way ; indeed, the fruit of the Cherry improves in quality by being 
kept as long as possible after it is ripe. Gooseberries, although they are 
by some not considered worthy of a place amongst dessert fruits, are by 
others much esteemed, and in most places they would find a place in a 
house of this description. Red and White Currants should also not be 
forgotten, for when other fruits are getting scarce they are useful for a 
change. Black Currants would also prove a welcome dish, also Black¬ 
berries, more especially some of the newer introductions, especially as 
they ripen later than the other kinds. If planted along the side of the 
bouse the shoots can be trained to the netting, and are thus secure. 
Although the Blackberry may not be considered a dessert fruit, it is 
eagerly sought after for puddings. The Alpine Strawberry could 
also be grown here. It could be planted along the sides of the paths, 
and Would be prized during the autumn. If our hybridists would 
take up this Strawberry and improve it a valuable addition to our dessert 
fruits would be made, 
Description of Fruit House. 
The size of the house would of course depend upon the demand that 
has to he met, but the following is the method of erection. It should 
for preference be span-roofed, the posts for the side being about 
9 feet long and about 6 or 7 inches in diameter, and if larch posts 
can be had about that size they last for a long time. Char the base, so 
ns to preserve it as much as possible. Let the post into the ground, about 
2J feet in depth, thus leaving about 6 feet above the surface. The posts 
may be placed 6 feet apart, and see that the tops are kept level. On 
the top of them place a cell plate, 44 inches by 3 inches, bevelling off 
three-quarters of an inch to the inside, so that the water will readily 
run away. The rafters, which will be placed at the same distance apart 
as the posts, may be 4^ inches by 2 inches, using a ridge board 7 inches 
by 1^- inch. At every alternate rafter place a tie rod of half iron across 
the house to strengthen the whole. It will be necessary to leave a door 
at each end of the structure, and they should each be fitted with a lock. 
I he netting suitable for covering is 1-inch mesh galvanised wire. This 
'vill exclude all birds likely to do any harm. The wire can be put on 
the length-way of the house, and the edges bound together with wire, 
making it fast with staples to all the posts and rafters. If considered 
desiiable a covering made with two’boards can be fixed at the ridge to 
protect the roller blinds from wet. The blinds for shading should be of 
canvas, such as that used for shading, only use the stout kind. Before 
the netting is fixed it would be well to paint the woodwork so as to 
protect it from the weather. The roller blind will be found useful in 
spring, when the trees are in flower, in protecting them from frost, and 
when the fruit is ripe in shading from bright sunshine, thus helping in 
the first place to ensure a better supply, also preserving it a longer time 
in perfection. The arrangement of the house will depend upon its 
width. If not exceeding 20 feet a path through the centre will be 
sufficient, but in a wider structure it would be advisable to make a 
central bed with a path round it, thus leaving a bed on each side. The 
large trees can by this means be kept in the centre of the house, and the 
bush fruit round the sides, the ends being planted with Blackberries. 
This would give ample space for full development. 
Preparation of the Soil. 
In the preparation of the ground it is important to trench it 
thoroughly—viz , two or three spits deep, giving at the same time a 
good dressing of manure, with plenty 0 f lime rubbish added to it. 
Where chalk can be had it may be substituted, that which has been 
pulverised by exposure to the weather being preferred. Wherever stone 
fruits are grown lime should form an essential element in their 
successful culture, many failures in Cherry, Peach, and Nectarine 
growing being traced to the want of this material in sufficient quantity 
in the soil. It therefore becomes important that simple details like this 
are not overlooked in making a fresh plantation. This also explains 
why stone fruit generally does so well on chalky soils. If the soil is too 
heavy more lime rubbish or chalk may be added as well as plenty of 
refuse from the fire heap where garden refuse has been burned, all of 
which will keep the soil open. On the other hand if the ground is light 
it is best to give a heavy mulching of cow manure. 
Having thus prepared the ground laying out the beds will next 
demand attention. We may suppose for convenience that the house is 
30 feet wide, which will allow of a centre bed being formed 12 feet 
wide, and in which may be planted Cherries, either trained on trellises 
across the bed or as pyramids. If the former mode of treatment is 
adopted the trellises may be constructed under the rafters by placing a 
support at each side of the bed, and making the top secure to the rafter. 
The trellis may then be formed by wiring at 6 inches apart and by placing 
one under each pair of rafters ; in this way a space of 6 feet is allowed 
between the trees, which will be found to be sufficient. 
(To be continued.) 
Events of the Week. — A list on another page gives the Rose- 
shows for the week, and it is only necessary to call special attention to 
the National Society’s Metropolitan Exhibition at the Crystal Palace on 
Saturday, July 4th. The Royal Horticultural Society’s Show and Con¬ 
ferences at Chiswick on July 7th and 8th are noted fully in two follow¬ 
ing paragraphs, as also is the Royal Botanic Society’s Evening Ffite on 
July 8th, while the annual dinner of the Gardeneis’ Royal Benevolent 
Institution the same evening is referred to at some length in our leading 
article this week. The Teddington Royal Horticultural Society will 
hold their twentieth annual Exhibition on Wednesday, July 8th. 
The Royal Horticultural Society’s Exhibition of- 
small fruits and Conferences will be held on Tuesday and 
Wednesday, July 7th and 8th next, in the gardens at Chiswick. Medals 
and money prizes are offered in the following classes—Eighteen bunches 
of hardy perennials, distinct; twelve bunches of hardy perennials, 
distinct; eight bunches of hardy perennials, distinct ; six dishes of 
Strawberries, distinct, not less than thirty fruits to a dish ; four dishes 
of Strawberries, distinct ; one dish of Strawberries ; collection of Rasp¬ 
berries ; collection of Currants ; two dishes of ripe Gooseberries, 
distinct; six dishes of green Gooseberries, distinct; new plants and' 
flowers; new fruits and vegetables; three dishes of Peas, twenty- 
four pods each, of Sharpe’s “ Sir F. A. Millbank,” Sharpe’s “ Queen,” 
and Sharpe’s “ Triumph;” six varieties of Gaillardias, five blooms of 
each (silver Kelway medal). 
- On Tuesday the Conference on hardy summer-flower¬ 
ing Perennial Plants will commence at 2 p.m., and the papers to be 
read are as follows—Opening Address by Mr. W. Marshall, F.R.H.S., 
Chairman. “ Some Results from Wild Gardening,” by Mr. W. Robin¬ 
son, F.L.S. “ On Some of the Summer Flowers of my Garden,” by the 
Rev. H. Ewbank, M.A., F.R.H.S. “Herbaceous Plants,” by the Rev. 
A. Raw r son, M.A., F.R.H.S. “The Picturesque of Hardy Summer 
Perennial Plants,” by Miss Jekyll, F.R.H.S. Mr. Potter (of Messrs. 
Backhouse, York) has also been asked to read a paper. On Wednesday 
the Conference on Strawberries, Gooseberries, Raspberries, Currants, 
and other small fruits will also commence at 2 p.m., and papers to be read 
on that occasion are an opening address by Mr. G. Bunyard, F.R.H.S,,. 
Chairman. “Strawberries for Private Gardens,” Mr. W. Allen, 
F. R.H.S. ; “ Strawberries for Forcing,” Mr. G. Norman, F.R.H.S. 
“ Gooseberries for Private Gardens,” Mr. D. Thomson, F.R.H.S.; “ Goose¬ 
berries for Exhibition,” Mr. C. Leicester ; and “ Raspberries,” by Mr. 
G. Wytbes, F.R.H.S. 
- The Royal Botanic Society’s Evening Fete will be 
held on Wednesday, July 8th, wben the following classes are provided. 
Division 1.—Natural Flowers, Fruit, &c.—Floral Decorations arranged for 
a Dinner Table 10 by 5. Ditto, ditto, dressed ready for Dessert. Foliage- 
and Flowers suitable for a Sideboard. Ditto, ditto, Hardy Plants only. 
Group of specially Sweet Scented Plants. Group of Plants, arranged 
for the decoration of a Recess in a Room, for an Alcove, or a Fire-place. 
Standing Basket, Vase, &c., furnished with Plants suitable for growing 
in a Living Room. Hanging Basket, of any material, with growing Plants. 
Outside Window Box of Growing Plants for Summer ^ also another 
with Hardy Plants for Winter. Bridal Bouquet. Ballroom Bouquet. 
Bouquet, of other form than the usual circular. Group of Flowers, 
stalks in water, and neither tied nor wired. Arrangements »f Flowers- 
and Leaves for personal adornment, such as wreaths, chaplets, and the 
like, and also for use in dress trimming. Arrangements of Flowers and 
Foliage for the Decoration of Ballrooms. Miscellaneous.—Objects for 
purposes similar to the above but not coming strictly into any class. 
Division 2.—Works of Ait.—Paintings, Drawing, Sculptures of Flowers* 
