294 
THE FLORIST. 
We critically examined all the Sawbridgeworth houses with an eye to 
this question, and are bound to admit that, so far as our observation 
led us to form an opinion, nothing could look better than the whole 
of Mr. Rivers’s stock under glass ; and we therefore conclude 
that what may 'prima facie look like a defect in the fixed roofed 
system for large Orchard Houses, is found in practice not to be so, 
and therefore a great fact in this simple mode of constructing them 
is established. Mr. Rivers’ plan is to make each gable end of his 
houses in the form of a shutter, to open and shut as required, thus 
giving an opening to the admission of air exactly in a line with 
the hottest part of the house; and as we know that the rush of air 
through any opening connecting one temperature with another, 
will be in proportion to the difference between the respective den¬ 
sity of each body of air, the flow of the external air into the 
house will be very rapid through these ventilators ; and, indeed, so 
far as we could judge, was quite equal to keeping the air of the 
house in a healthy state,'with a full side ventilation, and the doors 
open on very hot days. 
Treatment .—We observed no deviation from the rules already 
laid down in respect to management; pinching back the current 
year’s wood, more especially in young potted trees not yet in a 
bearing state, is strictly carried out, and is extended to all the 
stock of apricots and cherries in pots. The pyramids in pots of 
these two latter were admirably done,—perfect as regards compact¬ 
ness of form and abundance of bloom buds. In reference to the 
merits of pot versus planted-out trees, we believe, with good 
management, both plans may be considered equal. The system of 
lifting planted-out trees annually, and shortening the long roots 
which have made way into the border, would soon induce such a 
ball of short spongelets to be formed, that the operation would 
merely resemble re-potting a pot-grown plant, and as we think it 
possible to grow for very many years the peach and nectarine in 
18 or 24-inch pots, by occasionally shaking the old worn out soil 
from the roots and replacing it with fresh, either plan may be 
adopted with the certainty of success, with this difference, that 
although the planting-out system may give the least trouble, there 
are advantages on the score of forwarding or retarding pot plants, 
as well as otherwise arranging them, that would lead us to give 
the preference, ourselves, to pot culture. 
We now resume our cultural details, which will necessarily be 
brief. It is just possible, now rain has fallen in considerable 
quantities, that the wood of the trees intended for potting, and 
growing in the open quarters, will continue to make wood, which 
will prevent that intended to fruit from ripening. Continue 
therefore to stop all the lateral shoots as they appear, not leaving 
a joint untouched which will prevent the fruit buds from breaking. 
It will be a good plan to check any strong indication to grow at 
this season, to go round each tree with a spade or five-grained fork, 
and, after inserting it deep in the ground, raise the point slightly; 
this will give a check to the plant, prevent any future growth, 
