MARCH. 
77 
Many opinions are worthless, owing to a dread of giving offence, 
now to the majority, now to Mr. this, or Mr. that. A person should 
always write true to his convictions ; he should, as a matter of course, 
desire to wound no man’s prejudices or feelings, but his first duty is 
truth ; he should write simply and naturally what he believes. I hope 
I may be pardoned for the above little digression; I have been led into 
it from a desire to show Mr. Rivers and the readers of the Florist that 
in writing the “ Few Words about Orchard Houses,” I merely gave 
expression to my honest convictions. But to return to the matter in 
hand. I beg to observe that, so far from having said anything con¬ 
demnatory of orchard houses, Mr. Rivers will find nearly at the 
commencement of my article these words, “ That orchard houses are a 
valuable auxiliary to good gardens I am fully persuaded,” and towards 
the end, these words, “ I am as great an advocate for orchard houses as 
Mr. Rivers, but I would have them well built.” 
That Mr. R. may have found some truth not altogether very agreeable, 
is highly probable. The very interesting article in the January number, 
by “ G. T.,” of Stansted Park, fully corroborates what I said as to the 
decided advantage of planting the trees in borders to keeping them in 
pots. “ G. T.” says, (see Florist^ page 18), “ I may here mention that I 
consider it preferable to plant the trees out in the borders of large houses, 
as finer fruit and in greater abundance can be obtained from trees 
treated in that way.” Hear that, Mr. Rivers. G. T.” of Stansted 
Park can get finer fruit and in greater abundance ” when the trees 
are planted out. Again, “G. T.” says, “ I have also had some very fine 
fruit from trees grown in pots, but not so large as from trees planted 
out.” Mr. R. says he is tempted to offer “ a few more words ” about 
the assertions of “ Pomona.” Well ! and to what does he reply first? 
He does not attempt a reply to facts which he knew were unanswerable, 
but nearly at the very end of my article he finds that I said, “ To 
attempt to grow Grapes in span-roofed houses, not heated, will end in 
disappointment.” Surely Mr. Rivers does not infer from this that I 
meant that Grapes could never be ripened in such houses. My words 
imply what I really meant, that the attempt would end in disappoint¬ 
ment.” I know well (for I have often seen them), that Grapes will 
in some seasons ripen on open walls ; but most assuredly no gardener 
would call that Grape growing. I know well that Grapes will some seasons 
ripen in houses not heated, but they will noteverg season for a number of 
years, hence the ending in disappointment. The wood cannot every 
season be got well ripened in houses not heated, and it is vain to expect 
good, large, well ripened Grapes from unripened wood. As to growing 
M uscats, it is quite out of the question. Even first-rate Black Hamburgh 
Grapes cannot be grown in perfection in such houses year after year, 
for a number of years, consequently the attempt will end in disappoint¬ 
ment. Some inferior sorts of Grapes may, perhaps, do with good 
management. 
Mr. Rivers says, “ I grow a large quantity for my own family in 
three houses not heated ; the Grapes never fail to ripen, and are always, 
from the free ventilation, first-rate in quality.” In the “Notice” of 
