103 
THE FLORIST. 
too near the stools, and killed many of them. Now, as I will not be 
without this delicious fruit, I want to ask some one of your readers to write 
a sensible, unpedantic, practical article on the cultivation of red Rasp¬ 
berries. I should be glad to be informed as to the following matters. 
What are the best sorts (mine are Beepots)? How should the soil be 
treated before planting ? How long will the stools last ? Should the 
ground be changed ? What is the time to plant; what depth should 
they be planted ; at what distances ? Is it best to plant them at yard 
distances, or seriatim ? And, lastly, what is the best way to treat them 
afterwards ? Go where you will, rare as it is to see a good Strawberry 
bed, it is still more rare to see a good Raspberry bed. If one of your 
readers will grant me the favour which I ask above he will draw forth 
“ the sentiments of my respects and of my highest consideration! ” 
W. F. Radclyffe, 
Rector of Rushton, Blandford, Dorset. 
CONSTRUCTION OF FRUIT HOUSES. 
(Continued from page 74.) 
The efficient heating and ventilating of forcing-houses is second only 
in importance to that of the full admission of light; for as fruit-trees 
under glass cannot succeed without light, so neither can they carry on 
their functions properly without a daily supply of fresh air. The 
application of artificial heat depends on the time the fruit is wanted in 
advance of its ordinary season ; but where fruits are forced at all, and 
for such exotics as the Pine-apple, it is of course indispensable. Light, 
heat, and air are the elements which the fruit-grower has to employ 
and control for his use ; and the ease and efficiency with which he can 
regulate their action in his daily practice, forms the key-stone of his 
success. 
In reference to heating, we may take the ordinary system of hot- 
water, as at once the most simple and economical, by way of com¬ 
paring the expense of heating a block of houses on the ridge and furrow 
system ; and the same number of cubic yards of air which it contains 
distributed through a series of lean-to houses. On comparing the two, 
a glance will suffice to show that now we have single boilers sufficiently 
powerful to heat a number of houses, a block can be heated more easily 
and effectually with one boiler, than a certain number of ranges, equal 
in extent, with less fuel and much less attendance. 
By way of further explaining the advantages we contend for, I will 
take the dimensions of a block of houses, 100 feet square, in four 
divisions of 50 feet square each (as before). To supply atmospheric 
heat for these, supposing them ordinary forcing vineries, 3000 feet of 
4-inch pipe would be ample; and as I recommend the borders also 
to be heated, we will add for this 1000 feet in addition. I do 
not wish by this to be understood as advocating bottom heat for all 
kinds of forced fruits ; Peaches, Plums, and Cherries will do better 
without it in properly constructed borders, but for early-forced Vines I 
