FRUIT HOUSES.] 225 h over the water in the tank, and is admitted through a tube m, which passes up through the bed of soil, into the house near the front ; similar tubes it, inserted at intervals along the front of the bed, are intended for supplying water amongst the rubble, to keep the soil about the roots constantly moistened. Pits and frames of various kinds are also frequently used for the cultivation of cucumbers and melons, as well as hot beds covered by ordinary garden frames. In these cases the first supply of heat is derived from the hot bed made up within the pit (tig. 17, a), which is all the better for having a layer or two of faggot- wood worked into it to facilitate the distribution of the hc.it from the linings later on. When the heat of tho original bed subsides, linings of fermenting dung b, b must be added, and these must be kept active by oc casional turnings and the addition of fresh material as often as required. Figs. 16 and 17 show different forms of pits of this character. It is, however, a vast improvement upon the old system to effect both top and bot tom heating by hot-water pipes (fig. 16, , ), in which case the width of the pits may be increased by at least 2 feet. Where there is much forcing carried on, the judicious arrangement of the seve ral structures, permitting of their being worked from one boiler, should be carefully seen to. Orchard Houses are the inven tion of the late Mr Rivers of Sawbridgeworth. In all the more genial portions of England and Scotland they may be used without fire-heat, and chiefly for potted fruit trees ; and if the trees are well managed, a very large quantity and variety of fruit can be produced, of excellent if not first-rate quality. These houses will be found useful adjuncts to Moore s Cucumber House. v -, c Fl ^
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10 _! FIG. 17. Cucumber Pit heated by Fermenting Dung. other structures even in large gardens, while they are of the utmost value to amateurs, who would otherwise be dependent on outdoor crops. They are, moreover, exceedingly economical, and may be turned to a variety of uses, being just as suitable for the growth of half-hardy (lowers as for our less hardy fruits. For fruit trees the orchard houses are of most value in spring, not to excite but to protect the blossom buds, and in autumn to assist in ripening both fruit and wood. While peaches, nectarines, and apricots are the permanent occupants of the house, except in late autumn, when they may be set out of doors, plums, pears, and apples may all by this means be assisted to produce good crops. DuriiK winter and spring (when they should be kept cool) the trees may be stored as closely as possible, and in this state they may remain until after blooming is over and the fruits are set, when the har.lier kinds should be gradually drawn out and hardened in sheltered spots, and eventually plunged in the open garden to swell their fruits, this thinning out affording room for the tenderer kinds. The orchard house may be of the lean-to form or a span ; but the latter is much to be preferred. Fig. 18 is a sketch of Mr Rivers s small span-roofed orchard house, which is built of wood and glass. Two rows, 14 feet apart, of oak posts a, a, 5 by 3 inches and 9 feet long, or of deal posts set in cast-iron sockets, are firmly fixed 3 feet in the ground and 5 feet apart. On each of these should be firmly nailed the plate b, 4 inches by 3, to receive the ends of the rafters c, c, which should be 8 feet long and 3 inches by 1. The ridge board d should be 3 inches by 1, to which the upper ends of the rafters, after being sloped, should be nailed. At the lower end a drip board, f> inches by 1, placed sloping to receive the lower ends of the glass, must be fixed on the plate the full length of the house ; and on the ridge board a small ledge must be nailed for the upper ends of the glass panes to rest upon. On the upper edge of the ridge board a cap, 3 inches by 1, shaped thus A, should be nailed, to shoot off the water and prevent its entrance at the ridge. The sides i are boarded, and the roof is of 21 oz. Fm 18 ._ Rivers . Span-Roofed Orchard House. cjiiisSj Liio 1*3-1 tiers (stout sash-bars) being 20 inches apart, and the panes 15 inches long, set end to end in glazing. Under the glass g on each side is a ventilating shutter/;, f inch broad and 1 toot wide, hinged and opening downwards. The roof is stay, d by irons screwed to every fourth rafter. The angular space over the door forms a ventilator. A house of this form should have a central path e, the two beds or spaces on each side /,/ accommodating the fruit trees either planted out or grown in pots. These beds may be raised above the path if used for dwarf trees. As a larger house, one of 24 feet width (fig. 19) might be recommended. The oak posts or deal posts in sockets, 6 inches by 4, must be set in two rows a, a, 24 feet asunder, 6 feet apart in the rows, and the plates, rafters, ridge board, and drip board should be as described above. The apex of the ridge d should be 12 feet from the surface. The roof itself c is supported and steadied by two rows of iron pillars k connected by tie rods, and glazed with 21 oz. glass, d FIG. 19. Orchard House with Raised Beds. the rafters being 20 inches apart. The sides and ends are boarded, and provided with hinged ventilators as in the smaller house. The floor may be level with the ground, and with a central path or two side paths e, e. For dwarfer and more bushy plants, and for general purposes, the beds may be slightly raised, as/, /, /in fig. 19. When the trees are planted out the raised beds would be objectionable as diminishing the available height, but for potted plants they are an advantage, raising the trees nearer to the light. In the north of England, and in all moist and cold districts of Scotland or Ireland, Mr Rivers recommends the introduction of a hot-water pipe or two into houses in which peaches, nectarines, and apricots are to be grown, not to force them, but to ensure the ripening of both wood and fruit. 1 2. Pits and Frames. These are used both for the Pits, summer growth and winter protection of various kinds of ornamental plants, for the growth of such fruits as cucum bers, melons, and strawberries, and for the forcing of vege tables. When heat is required, it is sometimes supplied by means of fermenting dung, or dung and leaves, or
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