££ V THE FORCING, FRUIT, « AND KITCHEN GARDENER. FORCING, FRUIT, AND KITCHEN GARDENER: COMPREHENDING THE FORCING OF ASPARAGUS, GRAPES, PEACHES, CUCUMBERS, MELONS, PINE APPLES, CHERRIES, MUSHROOMS, AND FIGS, NECTARINES, STRAWBERRIES, TOGETHER. WITH THE Management of the GREEN-HOUSE — Culture of WALL and ORCHARD FRUITS — KITCHEN VE- GETABLES, SALLADS and HERBS. THIRD EDITION, WITH LARGE ADDITIONS. Illuftrated with Six NEW COPPERPLATES ; CONTAINING TEN DIFFERENT DESIGNS OF HOT-HOUSES, HOT-WALLS, &C^ ON THE NEWEST AND MOST IMPROVED CONSTRUCTIONS. BY WALTER [NICOL, Author of «« THE PRACTICAL PLANTER," and of an " ESSAY ON GARDEN- ING," drawn up by Defire, and for Confederation of the Board of Agriculture ; and Correfponding Member of the Natural Hiftory Society of Edinburgh. EDINBURGH : PRINTED FOR WILLIAM CREECfc ; AND SOLD IN LONDON BY T« CADELL JUN. & W. DAVIES $ J, SCATCHERD, AND T. HURST. MAIS in KBL'KGIi, V. Y A. Kf.ILL & CO. •* ADVERTISEMENT. THE AUTHOR of the following Work, gives Defigns for Gardens, Hot-Houfes, Shrubbries, Plantations, Parks, Approach- es, &c. in the neweft Tafle. Alfo, gives advice and examples for Thinning and Pruning negle<5ed Plantations, in every ftage of their growth; with proper me- moranda refpeding their future Culture. *** Letters addrefled to W. NICOL, Planner, &c. , Edinburgh, will be duly attended to. PRE- 66 84 3 3 < • v,. PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. SINCE the publication of the Second Edition of this Work, in March 1798, many important Difcoveries have been made in Gardening. The Author, in a pretty extenfive practice, as a Defigner of Gardens, Hot-Houfes, &c., has had an op- portunity of minutely obferving, and has carefully attended to, every valuable im- provement 3 whether in the conftrudion of Hot-Houfes, &c., or in the Culture of the different Plants treated of. He therefore fubmits this Edition to the Public, enlarged and greatly improved ; with the hope that it will, like the two former, be favourably- received. LEITH-WALK^ Feb. 10. 1802. rf^ijil-'i rti-'vi^Vv :iru'i CONTENTS, BOOK FIRST. INTRODUCTION, - I CHAP. I. Afparagus, 9 II. Cucumbers, 24 III. Cherries, 46 Seft. i. On the Conftruftion of the Cherry-houfe, ib* 2. On Preparing the Border, and Planting the Trees, 47 3. On Training the Dwarfs, 50 4. On the Temperature of the Cherry- houfe, 54 5. On the Admiffion of Air to, the Cher- ry-houfe, 5^ £. On Watering, Warning, and Steaming the Cherry-houfe, - 58 7. On the Infeds that infeft the Cherry- houfe, and how to deftroy them, 60 8. On the Cultivation of Cherries in the Confervatory and Peach houfe, 64 CHAP. IV.' Figs, 67 Se&. i. On the Conftru&ion of the Fig-houfe, il. 2. On preparing the Border, and planting the Trees, 68 3. On Training and Pruning, 69 4. On the Temperature of the Fig-houfe, 70 5. On the Admiffion of Air to the Fig houfe, 72 6. On Watering and Steaming the Fig- houfe, 73 CHAP. V. x C O N T E N T & te O .*- ?''••" ' • $ -*• ^~* '--$" Page, CHAP. V. Grapes, 75 Se£t i. On the Conftni&ion of the Grape-houfe, ib. 2. On the Situation and Preparation of the Border, 77 3* On Preparing the Plants, 81 4. On Planting, and the Kinds beft adapted to the Grape-houfe, 84 1. White fweet Water, 87 2. White Mufcadine, ib. 3. Royal Mufcadine, ib. 4. Black Mufcadine, 88 5. Black Frontinac, ib. 6. White Frontinac, ib. 7. Red Frontinac, ib, 8. Grifly Frontinac, 89 9. Black Hamburgh, ib. Xo. White Hamburgh, or Portugal, zb. 11. White Railin, 90 12. Red Raifin, ib. 13. Syrian, - ib. 14. White Tokay, ib. 15. Flame- coloured Tokay, 91 1 6. White Paffe Mofque, ib. 17. Grecian, or Greek Grape, ib. 18. White Mufcat of Alexandria, 92 19. Black Mufcat, - ib. 20. Large Black Clufler, ib. 21. Black Conftantia, 93 22. White Conftantia, - ib. 23. St Peter's Grape, ib. 24. Lombardy, ib. ' 5. On Training and Pruning, 94 Sea. 6< CONTENTS. xi Page. Sed. 6. On the Temperature of the Grape- houfe, 102 7. On the Admiflicm of Air to the Grape- houfe, 10$ 8. On Watering, Wafhing, and Steaming the Grape-houfe, 109 9. On the Formation, Thinning, and Ma- turation of the Clufters, 113, 10. On the Infeds which infeft the Grape- houfe ; and how to deilroy them, 114 11. On the Prolongation of the Grape Sea- fon, where there are more than one compartment for its Culture, 115 12. On the Cultivation of Grapes in the Pine Stove, . VI. Melon?, 126 VII. Mufhrooms, 135 Se£t. i. On the Conftruftipn of the Mufhroom- houfe, ib. 2. On Preparing the Mumroom-beds, 137 3. On the Temperature of the Mufhroom- houfe, 141 4. On Watering the Mumroom-beds, ib. 5 . On the Prolongation of the Mulhroom Seafon, 142 PHAP. VIII. Peaches and Nectarines, 144 . i. On the Conftru&ion of the Peach-houfe, ib. 2. On the Situation and Preparation of the Border, 147 3. On Planting, and the Kinds beft adapt- f& to the Peach houfe, 149 C ON T E N T S, Page. Seft. 4. On Training and Pruning, 5. On the Temperature of the Peach- houfe, -c 6. On the AdmLflSon of Air to the Peach- houfe, i jj 7 7. On Watering, Walking, .and Steaming the Peach-houfe, 159 8. On Thinning and Gathering the Fruity 162 9. On the Infers that infeft the Peach- houfe, and how to deftroy them, 165 jo. On the Prolongation of the Peach Sea- fbn, where there is more than one Compartment for its Cu e, 166 II. On the Cultivation of Peaches and Nec- tarines on Flued Walls, witli Canvas Screens, Nets, &c. CH 'P rX. Pines, 174 8e£t. i. On the Conftrudliion of the Pinery, ib. 2. On the Preparation of the Bark-bed, 177 3. On Propagating the Plants, T 182 4. On Preparing the Mould ; and what Kind is fitteft for the Pine Plant in its different States, 184 5. On the Treatment of the Plants the Firft Year, 187 6. On the Treatment of the Plan..- the Second Year, i8cj 7. On the Treatment of the Plants the Third Year, 191 8. On the Temperature of the Pinery, 195 9. On the Admiffion of Air to the Pinery, 196 >0. On Watering and Steaming the Pinery, 198 Sea. II, CONTENTS. Page. Se&. ii. On the Maturation and Cutting of the Fruit, 2 oof 12. On the Infe&s that infeft the Pine; and how to defiroy them, 203 CHAP. X. Strawberries, 206 XI. The Green-houfe, 209 Se&. i. On the Conftru&ion of the Green-houfe, ib. 2. On the Temperature of ?the Green- houfe, 211 3. On the AdmLflion of Air to the Green- houfe, 212 4. On Watering the Green-houfe, 213 5. On the Compoft Mould to be ufed in the Green-houfe, 215 6. General Observations, 216 CHAP. XII. Explanatory of the Plates, 219 Seft. i. Explanation of Plate I. - ib. 2. Explanation of Plate II. - 222 3. Explanation of Plate III. 226 4. Explanation of Plate IV. 228 5. Explanation of Plate V. - 230 6. General Obfervations on the Conftruc- tion of Hot-houfes, - - 236 BOOK SECOND. CHAP. I. On the Making of Fruit-tree Bor- ders ; Planting and Training Fruit-trees againft Walls, Ei- paliers, &c. . 243 Seel. i. On the Conftru&ion and Situation of Garden^ walls and Efpaliers, ib, Sea. 2. ' CONTENT & , 2. On the Breadth, Depth, and Compoii- tion of the different Borders, for Apri- cots, Apples, Cherries, Figs, Pears, and Plums, 249* 3. On the different Kinds of the above Trees adapted to this Climate; the AfpecT: they mould be placed in ; and the Diftance from each other, accord- ing to the Height of the Wall, &c. 253 4. On Training the different Kinds of the above Trees on Walls and Efpaliers, 259 1. Apples, ib. Fan-training, - 260 Horizontal training, - 263 2. Apricots, n 265 3. Cherries, 267 4. Figs, 268 5. Pears, 269 6. Plums, - 271 5. General Obfervations on Training and Pruning, and on Thinning and Gather- ing the Fruit, &c. 272 6. On the Infe&s which generally infeft Wall- trees •, and how to, deftroy them, 280 CHAP. II. Culture of Orchard Fruits, 283 Seel;, i. On the Situation for Orchards, ib, 2. On the Soil for Orchards, 287 3. On the Kinds of Manure fit for Or- chards, 289 4. Of the Kinds of Orchard Fruits, 290 5. Culture, 291 6. On Pruning, &c» 294 Sea. 7. CONTENTS. xv Page. Se K> 368 15. Horfe-radifh, ;bju. ^69 16. Leeks, '^- -J"l 370 17. Onions, 372 1 8. Parfnip, 375 19. Peas, 376 20. Potatoes, 379 21. Salfafy, Scorzonera, and Skirret, 385 22. Shallots, - 386 23. Spinage, 387 24. Sea Gale, 388 25. Turnips, - - 390 CHAP. V. Culture of Sallads and Herbs, 393 Sed. i. Sallads, - ib. Chervil, Crefs, and Muflard, - ib. Endive, 394 Indian Crefs, - 395 Lettuce, . 396 Parfley, .>- - 397 Purflane, 398 Radifh, ib. 2. Pot Herbs, 399 Bafil, . - S4r ib. Borage, 400 Fennel, 401 Marigold, ib. Marjoram, Savory, and Thyme, ib. Mint, 402 Sage, - r * . tb. Sorrel, 4°3 Tanfy and Tarragon, - ^ ^ ib* CHAP. VI. On the Rotation of Crops, 404 INDEX, = * * 409 BOOK FIRST. THE INTRODUCTION. THIS branch of Gardening certainly favours more of luxury than any other ; at the fame time it muft be allowed to be a moft rational amufement, profit and pleafure being in fome meafure blended to- gether. Hereby, not only the moft rare Euro- pean plants, but alfo thofe of Africa, Alia, and America, are cultivated and brought to very confiderable perfection, and to the intimate acquaintance of the Botanift, who, otherwife, would be obliged to place im- plicit confidence in the authors of diftant countries, or take expenlive voyages to enable him fully to purfue his ftudies. A Hereby, » * 2 * * *~,>- ^INTRODUCTION. [BOOK I. n^>^^" Hereby, alfo, the fineft fruits of France, Spain, Italy, Perfia, and the Weft Indies, are cultivated and brought to early per- fedion in our Northern Clime, which, otherwife, would only be known by name. What are reckoned luxuries when firft introduced, are by ufe converted into ne- ceflaries. Witnefs coffee, tea, fugar, &c. which, although lately introduced, were they prohibited, would not only be miffed, but even longed for by the loweft clafles of the community. May not the wealthy eat a jnelon, peach, bunch of grapes, or pine-apple, with as much propriety as drink a bottle of port, claret, champaign, or madeira ? Are thefe not, if well ripened, equally wholefome ? Have they not the moft rational amufe- ment in the production of them ? And does it not, to the contemplative mind, afford a fource of real pleafure ? We are certainly juftified in thinking fo, by recolle&ion of the many extenfive additions and improve- ments which have lately taken place in this elegant branch of horticulture. Neverthelefs, there is ft ill ample room for improvement, which, in a fcience fa complicated^ BOOK I.] INTRODUCTION. 3 complicated; muft neceflarily happen for a confiderable length of time after introduc- tion. It is even probable, that this branch, in refped: of improvement, is but in a ftate of infancy. And this fuppofition arifes, by confidering the many opinions and ideas entertained by profeflional men on this fubjecl 3 for until thofe of any fcience are agreed, refpecUng- points of the firft con- fequence, perfection cannot be fuppofed near. A fettled plan of conftructing hot-hpufes, &c. is by no means yet fixed, moft garden- ers and hot-houfe builders differing in fome point or other. This is an article of im- portance, and there are extremes which mould be avoided. But it would app'ear, that the failure of fuccefs in this fpecies of horticulture is lefs in confequence of im- proper conftrudion of the houfe, than in the preparation of proper foil, and the ge- neral management ; fince in fome inftan- ces we find excellent crops produced in houfes very indifferently conftruded^ and in others, very indifferent crops, in houfes well conftruded. A 2 Situation 4 INTRODUCTION. [BOOK I- Situation is alfo a material point. Eve- ry hot-houfe fhould be placed, if not in a flickered, at leaft in a dry one, or which is capable of being rendered fo, by draining. It is alfo of importance to have a perfeft command of fire-heat. For this purpofe, refpect muft be had to proportioning the content of the houfe, to the power of the furnace or furnaces, and that, too, accord- ing to the purpofe for which it is appro- priated, as wnether it be a Pinery, Vine- ry, or Peach-houfe, and if either of the latter, whether it be intended for early or late forcing. But there are thofe who lay more than fufficient ftrefs on this fubjed : Thinking, perhaps, to demonftrate, that by building a capacious houfe, with a furnace lefs than another would advife, or which in the end is.found neceflary, how great a faving there might be of fuel. Of this, however, experience has con- vinced me, that by allotting fpace which a furnace cannot well command, inftead of being a faving, is a great wafte of fuel. Nor will the gardener ever have fuccefs, but with much difficulty. For BOOK I.] INTRODUCTION- 5 For inftance, if a furnace (hall be placed at one end of a capacious houfe, which with difficulty can be raifed to the degree re- quired on a fcale hung in the middle, will not the end of the houfe whereat the fur- nace is placed, be over-heated ? and will the other end ever rife to the degree re- quired, before all other parts of the houfe be over-heated ? Is not this both a wafte of fuel, and a thwarting of intention ? And what faving is there in the firft on- fet ? or rather, what wafte is there by rending the furnace and flue with immode- rate heat ? Is there an inch of flue lefs f — There is, to be fure, a grate and furnace more, which may coft (bme forty or fifty (hillings ; but which will, in one feafon, be repaid by the faving in fuel. Nor will either flue or furnace require any repair for many years afterwards. But, laying all confideration of expence afide, if it is found that a hot-houfe may be more fteadily worked with two furna- ces than with one, Why not ereft two ? Does the trifling fum of a few (hillings in any meafure weigh with the infurance of fuc-cefs, in the production of good crops ? A 3 I 6 INTRODUCTION. [BOOK I. I do not here prefume, that for every hot-houfe, there are to be two furriaces ereded. I would be underftood, as fpeak- ing of large houfes, that is, grape and pine houfes above forty feet in length, and peach houfes above fifty, &c. But for a full ex- planation of my ideas on this fubjed:, I beg to refer the reader to the accompany- . ing plates, and their explanations. Forcing, that is, producing flowers and fruits in hot-houfes at an untimely feafon, is attended with more or lefs fuccefs, ac- cording to the nearnefs we approach na- ture in the procefs. Hence the neceffity of introducing the impofed climate, as it were by ftealth, ad- mitting air freely, unlefs of an impure na- ture, and making artificial dews and fhowers to nourifh and reffefh, not only the root, but alfo the foliage : Alib, as the plants are forced out of their natural inclinations in a great meafure, do not perfpire fo copioufly, nor have an opportunity of imbibing nutritive matter from the natural atmofphere in fuch quan- tity as if they were growing in the open air, of composing a richer and deeper bo- BOOK I.] INTRODUCTION. 7 dy of foil, for the fupport of vegetable life, than otherwife might be required. In the cultivation of exotic plants and fruits in hot-houfes, regard muft be had to the climate of their nativity j and the beft endeavours mould be ufed tov imitate it in the hot-houfe ; introducing the na- tural changes of the feafons with equal care. This, however, is done with confiderable difficulty, as may be conceived, by confi- dering the difference of latitude, and the variation of the fun's altitude throughout the feafon, which is greater as we approach the pole. Hence the difference of trouble attend- ing early and late forcing. And hence, alfo, the difference of injury done the plants in the operation 3 and, that they may fuftain the lefs, the neceflity of a more moderate treatment in the one than the other. The one is Jlr'ming, the other ftri- ving hard againft the flream. Sudden checks of any kind are to be avoided, particularly while the bloom or fruit is in a tender and infant ftate, other- wife difappointments may be apprehended. This is to be more particularly attended A 4 to 8 INTRODUCTION. [BOOK I. to in the forcing 6fJIone, than other fruits ; thefe being more impatient of fiidden chan- ges in the climate, particularly while ' fet- ting and Jloning. For the production of fruits in a high flate of flavour and perfection, a large and free circulation of frefh air, as they ap-" proach maturity, is eflential. Alfo deny- ing, in a great meafure, the quantity of wa- ter the plants may feem'to crave, that the fruit be not rendered infipid by the plants imbibing too much of that element ; which, however, at all other times, fhould be free- ly beftowed according to the nature of the plant in queftion. Finally, forcing of any kind being an outrag£ done nature, the more we avoid it the greater will be our fuccefs. She fhould be kindly affifted, nor fpurred, nor thwart- ed, when it can be avoided. Hence the neceflity of the niceft obfer- vation in difcovering the natural inclina- tions of the different plants, which fhould be kindly treated and encouraged, on all occafions. "£* THE THE FORCING GARDENER. CHAPTER I. ASPARAGUS. THIS delicious and wholefome vege- table being required in moft fami- lies at an early feafon, the forcing of it is pretty generally underftood j yet, for the fake of thofe who may not have had an opportunity of feeing the common me- thods pradifed, and on account of fome fuccefsful experiments, made in this branch of forcing, I hope what I have to advance on the fubjecl will be acceptable and ufe- ful to my readers. WHERE there is not the conveniency of a forcing pit, (See Plate I. Fig. i.) a frame and lights, fuch as is ufed for melons, muft be employed : but I have found by expe- rience, that a flued pit is much to be pre- ferred ; as in it the grafs may be produ- ced 10 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. T. ced of a much better colour, and higher flavour, than on a dung hot-bed. It frequently occurs, particularly in large families, and where much company is kept, that the gardener is put to a nonplus, by not being timoufly advifed that fuch ar- ticles are wanted. The conveniency of having a pit, will be found a great relief in this refped: $ as it is much eafier, by aid of the flues, to forward or protrad: the growth of the plants here, than in a com- mon hot-bed: on the one hand,, if the plants are advancing too rapidly, there is a neceffity for cooling the bed in a certain degree ; and, on the other, if they are not advancing fo faft as could be wifhed, the application of linings becomes neceflary, which is attended with much trouble and lofs of time. A pit, twenty-five or thirty feet long, and fix wide, and which one fire can per- fedly command, is fufficient to force Af- paragus to ferve a large family from No- vember to May, in a coiiftant and regular fucceflion : after which, it may be advan- tageoufly employed in raifing a late crop of melons or cucumbers, or in ftriking young CH. I.] ASPARAGUS. II young pine-apple plants, &c. But, as many may not have the conveniency of a pit, I {hall firft treat of the method of forcing Afparagus on a dung hot-bed, and then in flued pits, according to my mode of prac- tice. Firft, let it be prefumed, that a good ftock of roots, not younger than four years, nor older than feven or eight, are provi- ded 3 which, by being covered with litter, &c. accefs may be had to, in cafe of froft, at any time ; and alfo, that it is required Afparagus may be on the table againft a certain day, fuppofe the ift of Decem- ber*. About the ift of November, let a fuffi- cient quantity of Jt ] able-dung be thrown to- gether * It may be new to fome, that, by cutting over all the flalks of Afparagus, about the end of May, or be- ginning of June, it will put forth fine grafs in A.U- iumn; which, if the feafon happens to be fine, will continue till the middle or latter end of November. This is the reafon I have fixed on the ift of Decem- ber for forced Afparagus, being required as above: but 1 do not mean this to be confidered as a rule. Sometimes 12 THE FORCING GARDENER. / [B. I. gether to heat and fweeten, for a three light box ; and after it has lain fix or eight days, let it be turned over, and fhaken well up a fecond time ; in which ftate let it lie four or five days more. A moderate de- gree of heat is required, and confequently the dung fhould be carefully fermented, by turning the outfides or littery parts of the heap into the middle, one, two, or three times, at intervals of a few days each, as circumftances (hall direct. When the dung is judged to be in a proper condition, proceed to build the bed. This muft be done, in the common way, to the height of four feet in the back, and three in front, and about a foot larger than the frame all round. Level it well; and cover the whole with fquares of turf, cut fo as to join again exaftly ; which lay green fide down, and fmooth with the -back of the fpade. Sometimes it may be required much fooner, and fome- times not till Chriflmas. — I beg to obferve here, that, where there is a great ftock of Afparagus, it is a good way to cut over a part in May or June, to come in in Autumn : but let not the gardener expect any more good from the grafs fo cut, as fome pretend ;— it is a, fpecies of forcing, and confequently mull exhaufi na- ture. CH. I.] ASPARAGUS. 13 fpide. By aid of turfs carefully placed in this manner, a rank fleam is effedually pre- vented, which is of no fmall importance in the forcing of Afparagus ; the fleam arifing from rank dung of this defcription, not on- ly difcolouring the grafs, but tainting its flavour. Place on the frame : It mould be thirty inches deep in the back, and twenty in front : Let dry, well-reduced old tan, to the thicknefs of fix or eight inches be laid in it ; which level and fmooth with the fpade. The roots being ready, (which mould be taken up with great care), proceed to lay them, crowns up, as clofe as they will lie together } endeavouring to keep them as level as poflible, and diverting them of all the. old hulm and rotten roots. Cover the whole with old tan as above, to the thick- nefs of three inches ; and put on the lights. The bed will begin to beat in twenty- four hours ; and mud then have air admit- ted, to pafs off any fleam that may rife, which will, however, be inconfiderable, I prefume. Indeed, the only caufe for turf- ing the furface is to prevent fleam; which, if carefully done, will have the defired ef- feft; 14 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I* fe6t ; yet, it fometimes happens that a little will rife, efpecially if the dung did not un* dergo a proper fermentation: but, until the grafs begin to appear, it is not mate* rial if there is a little fteam in the frame > nor, provided there is not much fteam, whether it has any air admitted or nbt. But, from the moment the buds begin to appear, the greatefl attention muft be paid to prevent, or to draw off the fteam ; which is fure to give the grafs a very difagree- able flavour and bad colour. In order to prevent the grafs from draw- ing up weakly, a large portion of air muft be admitted every day, if the weather be not ftormy } and a little air fhould alfo be left at night, while a rank heat prevails in the bed*. Fahrenheit's thermometer fhould not ftand above 50° at any time, unlefs in fun-fhine, and even then, not above 60°. By this rule, it will be feen whether mat- ting at night is neceflary, and to .what ex- tent 3 therefore, it maybe unneceflary to fay more on that head : but the article Jieam muft be farther confidered, and in- deed kept in view till it is entirely fuppref- fed. If, then, by leaving a little air at each CH. I.] ASPARAGUS. 15 each light in the night, does not complete- ly draw off the fteam and damp, recourfe muft be had to boring the bed ; which is done by thrufting a large flick fuch as the handle of a pitch-fork, &c. into the fides and ends, in fix or eight places, lefs or more, ac- cording to the heat of the bed. The holes ought to be kept open, by probing them every day, fo long as any fteam remains ; and then fliould be clofed, to prevent it from cooling too much. I have feldom found it neceflary to line Afparagus beds ; yet fometimes, in ftormy weather, it is requifite. This fhould be done with caution 5 and never more than one fide of the bed fliould be lined at a time. Let the dung for this purpofe be prepared in the fame manner as .for the bed, at firft ; then cut, with a fliarp fpade or dung-knife, the part to be lined, perpen- dicularly by the fide of the frame : reject the tan and turf, and the reft may be ufed along with the new dung, unlefs very much wafted. From twenty-four to thirty inches will be a fufticient breadth for the lining; raifing it to about fix inches above the bot- tom of the frame, obferving to tread it well l6 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. well towards the old dung, and to give it a confiderable flope on the outfide, which naturally makes it lean that way. If the lining fhould raife too great a heat in the bed, or caufe any fleam, it muft be drawn off, as diredled above ; and, when it has done fubfiding, let it be turfed in the fame manner the bed was at firft; Water has not yet been fpoken of 3 and I can truly, though frivoloufly, aflert, that I have frequently produced a whole crop of Afparagus without " either earth or wa- ter." This, however, iis not always the cafe, nor is it defirable 3 as, if a little wa- ter is not required, the dung muft be in too moift a ftate, and confequently, too much noxious vapour muft have attended the whole procefs. It will be advifable, how- ever, to be fparing in the ufe of that ele- ment ; as, at this feafon of the year, and in this country, we have but too much caufe to lament the abfence of that lumi- nary which is the very eflence of vegeta- tion. When the buds have advanced to the height of three inches above the furface, they are then fit to be cut, as, by that time, they CH. I.] ASPARAGUS. IJ they will be fix inches in length : and this operation muft be performed with great care, as the buds will be found to rife very thick. The tan being of a loofe nature, there is no difficulty in thrufting down the finger and thumb to the crown of the root ; and, as forced roots are of no ufe af- terwards, I prefer twifling off the bud to cutting it, left the others that are rifing be injured. A three-light frame (which is generally ten or twelve feet long, and five or fix broad) will contain a number of roots; and, after it is fairly begun to produce, will yield an ordinary dim every day, for fif- teen or twenty days. If, therefore, a fuc- ceffion of grafs is required, it will be ne- cefiary to make up a fecond bed about eight or ten days after the firft, and a third about three weeks after the fecond ; which laft time will be a good medium for each fucceffive bed: but of this, the operator will be the beft judge 3 as much depends on the ftrength and quality of the roots, and on the confumpt of the family. In many places, it is probable, there may not be fuch a thing as old tan : as a fub- B ftitute, l8 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. ftitute, I would recommend light, fandyr mixed with a fourth part of vegetable, mould. Indeed I am convinced, that en- tire vegetable mould produced from de- cayed tree leaves, would be the beft for forcing Afparagus in :- but this I do not know from practice ; as I have ever found that article too precious an ingredient for more valuable purpofes, to lavifh it on the forcing of t Afparagus. But, to wave this confederation, I do not think it is very material in what kind of mould Afparagus be forced, provided it be light enough ; as I am convinced, from long obfervation, that the roots draw little nourifhment from the mould, a fmall degree of moiflure being all that is neceflary to the production of their buds, after which the roots perifli. My only reafon for ufing old tan was, the fcarcity of light, or vegetable mould, and the plenty of the former (otherwife almoft ufelefs) article. But this much I can af- firm, that, by the ufe of tan, the grafs may be produced five or fix days fooner, in as high perfection, and with a better colour, (provided it be ufed perfectly dry,) than with mould of any kind. I CH. I.] ASPARAGUS. j

it will be advifable to pour on a quantity of water, in the procefs of fhaking up, or turning it. This will excite its fermenta- tion, and reduce it fooner into a proper date ; on which depends much of the fu- ture fuccefs. Proceed to build the bed ; obferving to keep it a foot larger than the box all round, and to the height of five feet in the back, and four in the front ; obferving to beat it well with the fork 5 and, if the dung is very 30 THE FORCING GARDENER. [fi. *. very littery, to tread it equally once or twice. Some tread in all cafes, and others tread none in any cafe 3 but the propriety of treading the bed once or twice in the time of building, provided the dung be rank and littery, may not be difputed $ as, by tread- ing, it is feen where the bed is lean, or o- therwife. And that the whole fettle equal- ly, is of confequence to the welfare of the plants, particularly in the ridglng-bed > for, if the dung fall in holes, the mould" will un- avoidably crack, to the evident injury of the tender roots. When at the proper height, let it be carefully turfed in the fame manner as di- redled for the afparagus bed : place on the frame ; in which lay fea or pit fand of the fineft quality, previoufly rendered perfectly dry, in a Hoping manner, correfponding with the light, and -to within fix inches of it : over this lay two inches of light fan- dy loam : then, in a garden pot or pan, about fix inches in diameter, being filled with entire vegetable mould * from decay- ed * The method of preparing this mould will be treat- ed of in, another part of this work. CH. 2.] CUCUMBERS. 3! ed tree-leaves, fow the feeds, and cover them with half an inch of the fame : Plunge the pot or pan to the brim, in the centre of the bed the one way, and at a foot from the back, the other : Put on the light ; and cover at night with a double mat. The feeds fhould be carefully guarded from mice, an animal too frequently found about hot-beds at this early feafon, by pla- cing a pot on that in which the feeds were fown, whofe brim or margin coincides with it, having a hole at bottom, too fmall for admitting the enemy. This cover fhould be removed in the morning, and replaced in the evening, until the feeds germinate, and the plants are an inch high. Thefe vermin commit their depredations chiefly in the night ; and it is neceflary that the plants enjoy the full fun. The bed will begin to heat in. twenty- four hours, and mull then have a little air admitted by tilting the back of the light an inch or fo ; and the front half as much*, in * This rule ought always to be obferved, unlefs the fe verity of frofty wind renders it hurtful to the plants. 32 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I* In order to pafs off any noxious vapour that may have arifen. Let the frame be matted every night at fun-fet, and unco- vered by eight in the morning, or fooner, if the ftate of the weather will permit ; and, from the moment the plants begin to appear, as due attention ought to be paid to this article as that of air and wa- ter. Every gardener has to lament, that, in this country, and at this feafon of the year, our days are not only fhort, but dull and hazy, to a degree that is but little known on the Continent ; and it follows, that the leaft negled: in admitting the rays of light, which is fo neceflary to the health and vigour of the plants, is, ftridly fpeak- ing, unpardonable. Even the glafTes (hould be frequently wafhed, wiped, and at all times kept clean of duft or litter, that the rays of light, or the fun-beams, may not be obftruded. A little kindly fleam in the morning is a good fymptom; but this Ihould never be encouraged to any great extent : more than what entirely difappears with the firft hour after the frame has been uncovered, is not defirable. CH. 2.] CUCUMBERS. 33 defirable *. Examine the bottom of the pot or pan frequently. If the heat mould rife too violently, raife it a little, to prevent the young fibres from being1 fcorched ; if rieceflary, place it entirely on the furface ; and, if requifite, give a little water, which, however, mould have flood in the frame, or any other place of equal perature, for feveral hours before. It is not a common practice to work by the thermometer in hot- beds, but it is cer- tainly as eligible here as in the ftove, &c. The air of the feed-bed mould raife the mercury on Fahrenheit's fcale to 65° on a medium, allowing 5 ° of a fall "Owi£. for the changeablenefs of the weather at this fea- fon. By this, alfo, it will be feen to what ex- tent matting is necefiary. When the plants have arrived to the height of about an inch, they will be fit to prick out, into nurfing pots, which mould be about four inches in diameter, and the C fame * In treating of the cultivation of afparagus on a dung hot-bed, I have given dire&ions for drawing off the rank fteam ; which I hope will fuffice the reader for that operation, when necefiarv, in hot-beds, at any time. 34 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. i'i' I fame in depth. Put them into the fame kind of mould they were fowii in, and three or four in a pot y placing them as far apart in the pot as poffible. They fhould not be dibbled, or prefled into the" mould with the finger, a practice too common ; but the pot fhould fir ft be filled one-half, or two- thirds, according to the fize of the plants ; which mould then be placed againft the fide of the pot, fo as that their leaflets msfy be jufl above its margin, and that the covering of (fifted) mould may be laid on loofely, to the level of the brim. Settle the whole with a little water. Plunge them, to the brim, in the bed again ; which fhould previoufly be worked over to the depth of the fand, ctnd about two inches of the fame fandy loam (hould be laid on the furface, as at firft. Attend to them in the articles of air, fleam, and water, duly, while they remain here, according to the ftate of the weather; and frequently examine the bot- tom of the pots, left their roots mould be fcorched. If a rank fleam prevail in the bed, it may be advifable to leave half an inch of tilt in the night, over which the end of tha CH. 2.] CUCUMBERS. 35 the mat fhould hang, that the air may, as it were, lift through it. The lap, how- ever, mould not he let hang fo low as to embrace the lining of the bed, left fleam from without be induced, inftead of that from within efcaping. In the day, admit a moderate quantity of air, at front and back, in order to clear the bed of fteain or damp ; taking advantage of fun-fhine, and frequently ftir the furface of the fand; and indeed, generally a few of the firft fet fruit are cut by that time * $ which, fuppofing the bed was built about the mid- dle of February, ajid the plants were plant- ed about the 23d or 24th, mould be fit for cutting * This depends much on the kind of Cucumber fown j and, as the kinds are now fo nurtferous, and al- ftioil every gardener having his particular favourite, it might be deemed premmptuous in me to fay which ought to be preferred, efpecially as many known kinds have an equal .title. CH. 2.] CUCUMBERS. 4! cutting by the middle or latter end of March, if the weather has been tolerably favourable. If the heat has by this time confiderably decreafed, let preparations be made for lining the back and both ends, by flightly fermenting a quantity of frefh ftable-dung, and mixing it, in the operation, with the old fide and ends of the bed ; which let be cut off, in the manner as directed for theafparagus bed (See page 15.), and let it be made up as it fubfides : after which, cover it with turf or mould. The frame muft be raifed with bricks or tiles occa- lionally, as the plants advance in ftrength j fo as to keep the glafs free of the foliage. By this time, alfo, the hills will require to be enlarged ; as the roots will have made great progrefs. Therefore, let the furface of the bed be forked up with a fmall hand- fork, fuch as is ufed for plunging pine-pots, &c., to the depth of the furface of the fand or tan ; and, if any of it has been burnt, (which I have but twice experienced in any hurtful degree), let it be replaced with frefh mould : Work gently into the fides of the hills with the fork, till the roots be- gin 42 THE FORCING GARDENER. [fc. f« gin to appear, and, if needful, pour in a little water ; after which, let the furface be levelled up to the height of the hills, with frefh mould of the fame quality as at firft *. This operation, however, fliould either be done a few days before the appli- cation of the linings, or fliould be deferred till a few days after ; that the plants may not experience a check, by the bed being cooled both without and within at the fame time. The plants will now grow vigoroufly, and produce fruit in abundance : and muft forthwith have a large fhare of frefh air ad- mitted everyday, increafing the quantity as the feafon advances ; and, when the month of May arrives, in fine, mild wea- ther, the glafles may be entirely taken off in the day. Let them have large and fre* quent quantities of water given from the rofe * I have here direfted the bed to be earthed entirely up at once ; which, if the forcing is not begun fooner than recommended above, will be found quite fufficient : but, if the forcing were begun a month or fix weeks earlier, it would be imprudent to earth up the bed en- tirely at once, as a ftronger bed and more linings would be required ; and, confequently, the riik of burning the roots would be greater. CH. 2.] CUCUMBERS. 43 rofe of a watering pan ; taking the advan- tage of warm fliowers as the feafon advan- ces. Few plants require more of this ele- ment than the Cucumber ; and if it is with- held, the plants will, to the nice obferver, quickly complain. The moft proper time for the applica- tion of water, is either in the morning about eight, or in the evening about four o'clock, an hour fooner or latter, according to the feafon of the year. The water, if poffible, fhould always be of equal tem- perature with the air in which the plants grow ; in which cafe, no check is felt, or unneceflary effort made by the tender fi- brils, the purveyors of the plant. Nor fhould an extraordinary quantity be appli- ed at a time, for the fame reafons. Keep them moderately thin of vines and leaves ; taking care to lay them all out in regular order, and not to have them crof- fing one another. Be alfo careful to diveft them of all withered and damped leaves, as they appear. It is as obnoxious for a plant as an. animal, to breathe the air where- in its own corruption is confined. Neither ihouid the Cucumber be pruned much at a time, 44 THE FORCING GARDEN.ER. [B. I, time, otherwife, by the wounds bleeding, the plant will be greatly exhaufted. About the beginning or middle of April, It may be necefTary to line the front of the bed, which let be done in the fame manner as the back and ends } but it will be quite imneceflary to renew thefe, as that of the front will throw in a kindly heat, which will laft all that month, and afterwards bottom heat is of little confequence. Succeilional beds for Cucumbers may be built in March, and in April. The fame culture, as above, is to be pradtifed ; obfer- ving to make the beds a little lighter, as the feafon advances. As I am to treat of the railing of melons in flued pits, when the culture of that plant is treated of, and as the culture of the two plants there are fo nearly fimilar ; I fhall only obferve here, that the fame mould muft be ufed for the Cucumbers as is re- commended above, and a greater portion of air and water muft be given, than to the melons. The culture of Cucumbers under hand and bell glafies, although a fpecies of far- cing, CH.-2.] CUCUMBERS. 45 cing, being fo generally under flood, and - infufceptible of improvement ; it may be unneceflary to wafte time in faying more on that head, than that they fhould be - planted in mould of the fame quality as a- bove directed, fhould have plenty of water given them in hot weather, and, as much as poffible, fhould be defended from cold and damp in Autumn. I fhall conclude this article, by obfer- ving, that I have feldom known any infeft to infeft the Cucumber, except the aphis, which, in any ftate or fituation, is quickly deftroyed by the fumigation of tobacco $ a procefs that is familiar to almoft every gardener. CHAP- THE FORCING GARDENER, [u. I. CHAPTER IH. CHERRIES. SECTION I. On tie ConJlruBion of tie Clerry-Houfe. THE production of this juftly-efteemed . fruit, at an early feafon, has much obtained of late years ; infomuch, that ma- ny of our capital gardens are furnifhed with a compartment for the purpofe. Thefe are of various conftrudions ; occafioned fometimes by the fancy of the conftruc- tors, the fubferviency to other purpofes, and the converting of places that were ori- ginally ereded for the production of other fruits or plants, to that of the Cherry : in all which, where properly managed, it has given general fatisfadion. Confequently, it might be thought ambiguous in me to fay, that a Cherry-houfe fhould be of fuch and fuch a conftrudion ; nor do I wifh to advance fuch a propofition. But, where it is in contemplation to ered one, I would recommend fuch as is reprefented by Fig. i. Plate CH. 3-] CHERRIES. 47 Plate II., which, befides being perfectly adapted to the forcing of Cherries, is al- fo to that of ftrawberries, kidney-beans, flowers, &c. The fire (See the plan) communicates firfl with the front flue, and then has two returns in the back- wall ; which returns are made on the prefumption that the houfe may be converted into a vine or peach- houfe at pleafure : but, while it is appro- priated to the forcing of Cherries, it will be improper to ufe any but the front flue 5 and of confequence, the back flues muft be fhut by a damper. My reafons for which are, that a fmall degree of fire heat only is requifite, even at an early feafon ; and, the Cherry being fo fubjedt to be injured by the red fpider, the working of the back flues \vould greatly encourage the breeding of that deftruclive infed. SECTION II. On Preparing the Border, and Planting the IF the fituation is dry, the bottom a kind- ly fand, gravel, or foft clay, and the foil a fandy loam to the depth of two feet ; the 48 THE FORCING GARDENER* [fi. I. the border will require no other prepara- tion than being welt enriched with, ftable- dung, and if poffible, a little marl; which ought to be trenched and well mixed, twice or thrice during the Summer before planting. But, if the fituatiori is wet, the bottom a cankering gravel or cold clay, and the foil either a poor fand, gravel, or ftubborn clay ; care- muft be taken to render them otherwife, by paving the border to the breadth of twelve or fourteen feet, running a drain in front to carry off the wet, and removing the bad, and bringing in good foil ; fo as to compofe a rich fandy loam to the depth of thirty inches at the wall, and twenty-four in front, allowing three or four inches for fettling. If a new build- ing is erecting for Cherries, it is immate- rial whether the building or border is com- pleted firft, provided the latter has a fuffi- cient time allowed for the mixing and in- corporation of the foil; as the front- wall and flue ftand on pillars, who fe founda- tions ought to be at leaft fix inches deeper, if the border is not paved, than the foil. About CH. 3,] CHERRIES. 49 About the ift of January is a good time to plant ; although a month fooner or later at this feafon is of little confequence, as no fire heat muft he applied the firft year. Having provided the neceflary number of healthy, well-rooted, maiden, or one-year- trained May-dukes*; let them be planted againft the trellis at the diftance of eight, nine, or ten feet, as the length of the houfe will beft divide; filling in the pits with vegetable mould from decayed tree-leaves, and fettling all with a little water. Riders, having five or fix feet boles, which have been trained two or three years againft a wall, and have produced a crop or two, fhould be provided to fill the upper part of the trellis; where they will produce a few crops before the dwarfs will have extend- ed, fo as to require their removal. Thefe will generally produce a few fruit the firft, and probably will yield a full crop the fe- cond year. Let the furface of the border be fork- ed over once or twice a-year ; and let a little well-rotten dung occafionally be D worked * Experience fliews that no other Cherry deferves a place in a forcing houfe. 50 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B< I. worked in. This may be performed in any of the winter months. SECTION III. On Training the Dwarfs. THE dwarfs or principals being the on-* ly plants intended ultimately to fill the trellis, I (hall difcufs what relates to training the riders by obferving, that, as thefe are planted folely for the purpofe of obtaining a crop or two, while thofe are ma- king their wood and forming their fruit fpurs, 'and, by being checked by their re- moval, may not be expeded to put forth much young wood while they remain here, it will be unneceilary to thin them out much ; but let them be drefled regularly to the trellis, and, unlefs neceflary to fill a blank, dive ft them of any fnoots they make-, paying refpecl to their fruit fpurs only 3 for when they have ferved the pur- pofe here, they will be. of no further ufe. After planting, let each flioot of the dwarfs, if rnaiden trees, be headed down to two or three eyes; in order to make them put CH. 3.] CHERRIES. 5! put forth vigorous fhoots, to furnifh the trellis, from the bottom : and, if they have been one year in -training, let the bottom branches be laid well down, and let the reft be drefied in a regular manner to the trellis, ufing firings of frefh matting to tie with ; being careful to allow full room * in the ties, as much mifchief is done to fruit, efpecially Cherry-trees, which are fo apt to gum, if not allowed a fufficiency of room. The Cherry-tree being apt to gum, and the branches to decay, from the flighteft injury, it would be imprudent to train it horizontally ; in which cafe, the lofs of a branch is fupplied with much more diffi- culty, than when trained in the fan man- ner : this laft method I would therefore recommend. When the tree hath produced its moots to the length of five or fix inches, let them be gone over and thinned, fo as that they may be laid in at about the diftance of ten or twelve inches ; obferving to pinch off D 2 fuch * I make it a rule to allow every flioot as much room in the fhred, or tie, as will at lead admit another of the fame fize along with it, 52 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. fuch as are produced fore-right, and which are, from their appearance, not forming for fruit fpurs : and, as they advance, let them be regularly difpofed, and diverted of any laterals they may produce. If all has gone well, at the end of the firfl year they will have produced flioots from twelve to thirty inches long ; which fhould then be fhortened down to about two-thirds of their length. This is neceflary, in order to make them fhoot ftrongly, and that the trellis may be furnifhed from the bottom, in a regular manner. The fecond feafon, they will fhoot vigo- roufly, and will begin to form many fruit fpurs on the preceding year's wood ; which muft be encouraged, for the production of a few fruit next feafon. Keep the tree clear of all fuperfluous and lateral flioots j and lay in the leading ones at the diftance of eight or nine inches, which forthwith muft be confidered as the medium: and, at the end of the feafon, fliorten a few of the ftrongeft branches alternately, fo as to- make them break their buds in the fpring, in a regular manner 3 as, henceforth, they will not require to be fhortened. The CH. 3.] CHERRIES. 53 The third feafbn, they will produce a few fruit, make fine fpurs and moderate fhoots ; which, as they advance towards the riders, give place to, by lopping off their branches, or thinning away their fo- liage, fo as to afford a free circulation of air and admiifion of fun. The fourth feafon, they will produce a full crop of fruit ; and will poiubly make fuch progrefs towards the riders, that thefe muft be difpenfed with : in which cafe, it will be advifable to facrifice whatever fruit, or appearance thereof, there may be on them, to the encouragement of the princi- pals. After the trees have filled their fpaces, and have begun to bear plentiful crops of fruit, they will make little or no wood 3 and will require no further care, on the fcore of training, than to fupply the place of any branch that by accident may die out. D3 SEC- 54 THE FORCING GARDENER. [fi. I, SECTION IV. On the Temperature of tie Cherry Houfe. THE Cherry, from its nature, will bear very little artificial (efpecially fire) heat. For which reafon, I would, not ad- vife the forcing of it too early, eipecially if fhere is only one compartment for its culture; fince, in that cafe, there would not be a continued fucceffion for the fup- ply of a table, and furnifhing a defert, till they came in on the open walls. I confi- der the firft or middle of February to be an eligible time for the commencement of the forcing ; but, for a new planted houfe, the third year ought to arrive before fire heat is applied. Were it not for the fake of other articles that may be placed or planted in the Cherry houfe, it would be better that the glafles were not put on the firft feafon at all; but this is generally too great a facrifice : however, if they are put on, a free circulation of frefh air, even in the night, ought to be encouraged. Suppofe CH. 3.] CHERRIES. 55 Suppofe then, that, the third year after planting, the trees have made good pro- grefs, plenty of fruit fpurs, and that a rea- fonable hope of fuccefs is entertained ; let the glafles be put on about the middle of January, plenty of air admitted through the day, and Ihut up at night. On the firfl of February, light the fire } which mud be made fo moderate, that at eight at night, and eight in the morning, Fahren- heit's thermometer may not fland above 40°. In which condition keep it, as near- ly as poflible, till about the 2oth of the month ; and then increafe gradually to 45 ° : at which point endeavour to keep it, till the fruit is fairly fet. Afterwards in- creafe the heat to 50°, but not more, till the (toning is over, and the fruit have be- gun their fecond fwelling. Although, for the fake of the fruit, all danger will now be paft 3 yet, if too ftrong a fire heat be afterwards indulged in, it will have the tendency of drawing the moots up too weak ; and, therefore, I would not advife that the air of the houfe, at the fore-mentioned hours, mould ever pafs 60°. D 4 ,; s E c- 56 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I, SECTION V. On the AdmiJJlon of Air to the Cherry Houfe. AS has been already hinted, the houfe ought to be uncovered all the firft feafon after planting : but, if this is not the cafe, and if, from the nature of what other plants are placed therein, it would be imprudent to leave a little air in the night ; let the houfe be opened by fun-rife in the morning, have a large and free cir- culation all day, and be ihut up at fun-fet. However, when the month of May arrives, it ought to be entirely uncovered. The fecond feafon, let the glafles be put; on by the firft of March ; let large por- tions of air be admitted, as directed above ; and let the glafles be removed by the firft of Auguft. From the commencement of the forcing, this article muft be attended to more par- ticularly : — The firft ten days after which, a very large "fhare of air Ihould be given, to prevent the buds from breaking too fud- denly, and of confequence too weakly: for, CH. 3.] CHERRIES. 57 for, vegetation, in forcing, ought always to be brought on, as it were, by ftealth : the juices flow more kindly ; and the plant fuffers the firft impulfe of reviving adivity with more patience, than when hurried on in a violent manner. But, after the buds begin to appear turgid,, a more moderate quantity may be admitted j ftill having refped to the temperature of the houfe, and the prevention of frofty winds from hurting the bloom. At all events, take advantage of fun-fhine ; which will allow a larger portion to be given, than at other times. Neverthelefs, let no day pafs, (un- lefs in a fevere froft), wherein lefs or more air is not admitted ; and, in fun-fhine, to the extent that the thermometer may not rife more than 10 degrees above the fire- heat medium. After the crop is all gathered, if con- fiftent with the welfare of the other arti- cles contained in the houfe, let the glafles be removed, and the trees be expofed to the weather till the next feafon. SEC- 58 THE FORCING GARDENER,. j~B. I. SECTION VI. On Watering^ Wafting, and Steaming tie Cherry Houfe. AFTER planting, let the mould be fet- tled to the roots of the plants by a moderate watering ; and, if the houfe re- main uncovered the firft feafon, little at- tention, except in dry weather, will be re- quired in this article. Let due attention, however, be paid the fecond year, to keep the border in a moderately moift ft ate, that the plants may grow freely :, and, when their growth is flopt for the Feafon, with- hold the water, that the wood may ripen perfectly before they -are expofed to the weather. From the commencement of the forcing, give plentiful waterings to the border, un- til the bloom begins to open ; and then in a more moderate degree,, till the fruit is fairly, fet. After which, again increafe the quantity, till the fruit begins to co- lour ; and then diminifh it by degrees, till it be entirely withheld, which ought to be done CH. 3.] CHERTUES. 59 done fome little time previous to the fruit's being ripe ; as otherwife, it would be ren- dered infipid. Wafhing with the hand-engine, fhould commence with the day the fire is lighted ; and, except from the time the bloom be- gins to appear, till the fruit is fairly fet, ihould be repeated thrice a- week in the evening, and that with a considerable de- gree of force, till the fruit begins to ripen. The ufe of the engine here, and indeed in all forcing houfes, is much preferable to the pampered trafti of {learning apparatus. It is not merely to refrefh the foliage that the engine is employed, but alfo to clear it of duft, infects, &c., a matter of evident neceflity ; for, the leaves being, as it were, the lungs of the plant, how can we fup- pofe it in health while thefe remain clog- ged ? Hence it becomes a duty, in the ufe of this inftrument, to apply it with force : more fo in the hot-houfe than out of doors, for the plain reafon, that here the wind is not equally helping to this effect. In the interval of warning, (viz. while in bloom, and till the fruit is fet), let a little water 60 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I. water be poured on the flue every evening when the fire is ftrongeft ; which will caufe a fine agreeable fteam * to arife in the houfe, greatly to the benefit of the flowers and foliage : For at this time, water from the engine cannot, with pro- priety, be applied, left the tender bloflbms might be injured. Soft and tempered water fhould be ufed at all times, and on' all occafions. SECTION VII. On the Infeffs that infejl the Cherry ffovfe, and bow to deftroy them. T !HESE are, the aphis, or green fly > the acarus, or red fpider 3 the cater- pillar j * I do not confider the Cherry houfe of fuch impor- tance as to be at the expence of erecting {teaming appa- ratus purpofely for its ufe ; nor, indeed, do I think it worth the while to do fo for the ufe of any kind of for- cing, except a range of peach houfes : in the near neighbourhood of which were it placed, a pipe might (if at a fmall expence) be borrowed for its ufe. But, at all events, I prefer fteam which is produced from ai* earthen flue, to that produced from boiling water. CH. 3.] CHERRIES. 6i pillar ; and the grub *. The firft, and leaft hurtful, is eafily deftroyed by a fumigation of tobacco. The fecond, may be fuppref- fed by the procefs of wafliing with the en- gine, which is indifpenfably neceflary to the health and vigour of the trees. There- fore, when they begin to make their ap- pearance at any time, let the water, in the ordinary courfe of walhing, be thrown againft the trees with greater force ; ma- king a point of beginning at the contrary end of the houfe each time ; whereby, if any part {hall be mifled the one way, it may be hit the other. The caterpillar and grub, have given me more trouble than the preceding, or indeed any fpecies of infed: whatever ; and, after trying a variety of prefcriptions, and having been at much trouble and expence, I can ven- ture to affiire the reader, that I have at laft difcovered a cure : the receipt of which I fhall * Not the land-grub : — a fmall grecnifh -black worm, of the caterpillar kind, with a black head, about three- eights, or half an inch in length, often called " the " grub" by gardeners. It' is generally found rolled up in a kind of down or wool, in the leaves of cherries, apricots, &c. 62 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. fhall candidly give ; and hope that none will attempt to ufe it without giving it a fair and impartial trial. Take of foft foap, two pounds ; flowers of fulphur, two pounds ; leaf, or roll to- bacco, one pound 3 nux vomica, two ounces; and oil of turpentine, half an Englifli gill : boil them all together in eight Englifli gal- lons of foft or river water to fix ; and fet it aiide for ufe. Any time in winter, at leafl a confider- able time before the trees begin to vege- tate, let them be all untied or unnailed from the trellis or wall ; brufh every part of the branches and buds clean with a foft brufh, fuch as is ufed for painting : make the liquor milk warm; and, with a fpunge, carefully anoint every part of the tree, trellis, &c. Drefs the trees neatly to the trellis again; but ufe none of the old ties or fhreds : and let this operation be repeat- ed every winter * without referve. The firft fummer after anointing there may a few appear, whofe egg's have, by being concealed, efcaped the action of the liquor, which * This precaution is neceflary, thefe infers being evi- ' dently blown by a fly in Summer. CH. 3.] CHERRIES. 6j which muft be picked off, to prevent their breeding ; but, if any, there will very few remain, as it is of the moft penetrating na- ture. This liquor muft on no account be ufed in fummer, as it inftantly deftroys the fo- liage; the fatal efFeds of which inyfelf once experienced, through inadvertency. The moft proper feafon for its application is between the fall of the leaf and the firft of February, for trees growing out of doors 3 for trees in \ hot-houfes, a month at leaft before the forcing commences. Fruit-trees of all kinds ihould be anointed with this composition every year j as it is equally definitive of all infers, and their eggs, which infeft them : but furely none, who have the health and beauty of the trees contained in their hoj:-houfes at heart, af- ter being convinced of its efficacy, will be fo neglectful of their own-intereft, as to omit doing it, fince neither the trouble nor expence are great. SEC- THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. SECTION VIII. On tie Cultivation- of Cherries in the Confer varying the quantity, however, according to the (late of the weather, and the ftate\ of growth the plants may be in y for fud- den checks are hurtful to this plant, as to others, although their bad efFeds may not be fo immediately perceptible. In the fourth and fifth feafons from the commencement of the forcing, and for the firft month or fix weeks, admit air in fuch quantity in the day, that the thermometer may not rife to more than five degrees above the fire-heat medium. As the feafoil advances, air may be more freely admitted. Let this be done in a liberal manner, and to the extent that the mercury, at no time, may rife to more than 10° above the fore- mentioned medium. From the middle of May, or the firft of June, the houfe may ftand open night and n moderate weather. But the glafles ihould CH. 4.] Ftcs. 73 fhould not b'e entirely removed till the crop is ripened off; becaufe, by keeping them on, the flavour of the fruit may be confiderably enhanced. The flioots may be better ripened, and the fruit, for the fuc- ceeding year's crop, may be better fet and forwarded by retaining the glafles for a while, than.by removing them too foon. SECTION VI. On Watering and Steaming t£e Fig-Houfe* THE border fhould be kept moderately moift at all times, except when the fruit is ripening off, when it fhould be kept rather in a dry ftate. This is neceflary, be- caufe, otherwife, the fruit would be apt to drop ; nor would it be well flavoured, but infipid. After the fruit are gathered, how- ever, the border fhould again be brought to a proper ftate, by the application of a few hearty waterings. Let the foliage be duly refrefhed, twice or thrice a -week, by the hand-engine ; which fhould be applied with fome degree of force, in order to keep the leaves clear of 74 THE FORCING GARDENER. .B.I;] .of duft, &c. As the fruit approaches to maturity, this may be withheld in a great meafure, and unlefs the plants are afflided with the red fpider *, entirely, till the fruit is gathered. Steaming can be little neceflary to -the welfare of the Fig, fince the engine may be 'worked at all times. The fear of hurting the bloom, unlefs the watering be perform- ed in a very wanton manner, cannot pof- fibly attach here, as in the cherry, grape, or peac^i houfe : And this is a circum- ftance fo far happy, as the temperature of the fig-houfe is fuch, as feldom to admit of the flue being heated enough to excite fleam in any great quantity. CHAP- * I have not known any other infeft materially to af- the Fig in the hot houfe. Wafps, however, are fond of the fruit. CH. 5.] "GRAPES. 75 CHAPTER V. GRAPES. SECTION I. On the ConJlruElhn of the Grape-Hovfe. THIS delicious and juftly-efteemed fruit is now cultivated with fuch general eagernefs in this country, that a garden unprovided with one or more compart- ments for its production is not only rec- koned incomplete, but hardly to be met with *. Thefe vary exceedingly in con- ftrudtion; and, although fome lay great ftrefs on this article, and there are ex- tremes which ought not to be followed, yet I am convinced the failure of fucceft, in the production of the Grape, is much lefs a confequence of bad conftruction in the houfe, than in the preparation of the border, * I would here be underftood as fpeaking of noble- men's or gentlemen's gardens in general, although there are alfo fome Grape-houfes found in market gardens. ^6 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. fa border, the choice of the kinds, and the general management. I have formerly had the conftrudion of three feveral and differently-conftruded Grape-houfes in the fame garden *, under my care, for years, which then uniformly produced excellent crops. This, in my opinion, is a proof of the neceffity of a greater nicenefs in the formation of the border being obferved, than in the conftrudion of the houfe ; the fire-place and flues excepted* A perfed command of fire heat is abfo- lutely neceflary in the Grape-houfe ; to effed which, proper attention fhould be paid to the conftrudion of the fire-place and flues. Fig. I. Plate V. reprefents a furnace, and the entrance to the flue, on a plan that has given the higheft fatisfadion for many years : and although I fhould be forry to advife unneceflary alterations in houfes already built, yet I could wifh to fee all hot-houfe furnaces conftruded on the fame plan ; from a convidion of the utility, not only in faving fuel, but in ena- bling the operator to work with a degree of * Wemyfs Cattle* CH. 5-] GRAPES, yy of exadlnefs, and to enjoy a lefs difturbed repofe in winter nights, than is generally done. Fig. i. and 2. Plate III. reprefent two different plans of Grape-houfes ; which, if minutely copied, it is prefumed, will not fail of giving fatisfaclion. Any alteration in the breadth and height, I would beg to caution againft ; but the length may be extended or leflened at pleafure, provided refpecl is paid to the proportion of fire heat here allowed. SECTION II. On tie Situation and Preparation of tie Border. THE fite of the Grape-houfe is an ob- jed of fuch confequence to the wel- fare of the plant,and fuccefsful cultivation and production of well-flavoured fruit, that the greateft care is neceflary in the choice of it ; and, where the fituation is not naturally good, the fparing expence, in rendering it fo, is the caufe of many difappointments. I fhall, therefore, point put what I efteem a good fituation; and the method 7 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. method of rendering a bad one comfort- able. A gentle hill, having a fouth afpe<3 #, and confiderable declivity that way, the foil a ftrong brown loam of two feet, over a bottom of dry £and, gravel, or foft clay ; is the molt defirable, and in forming the border, would be the leaft expenfive of all fituations. In which cafe, the iite would require no paving or draining ; and would admit of a proper mixture of fandy loam, vegetable mould, marl, and dung, (by the removal of two feet of thejiatural bottom), with the natural foil, to form a border, perfectly adapted to the growth of the vine, in the following proportion, viz. One half ftrong brown loam, a quarter light fandy loam, an eighth vegetable mould of decayed tree-leaves, and an eighth ftable- dung j to which add about a fiftieth part of fhell-marl. Such was the composition of the vine borders at Wemyfs Caftle ^ none of which were formed lefs than four feet deep, and one (owing to the accidental fi- tuation of the houfe) was fix. Neverthelefs, * All hot-houfes fliould face the meridian fun, if con- veniency will by any means permit -, but a fmall varia- tion to the eaft or weft, is not attended with any inju- rious confequence. CH-5«] GRAPES. 79 Neverthelefs, I would not wifh to infer, that of the above mixture only, vine bor- ders (hould be made. Every candid gar- dener will difcriminate here, and choofe the compofition he thinks mofl fuitable to the nature of the plant in quefiion. But I would remark, that I have never known any to err, by forming" vine borders too deep, or of too rich materials. » The nature of the plant, is to pufh its roots downwards, and* extend them wide- ly 3 confequentiy, our duty is to cherifh, and not ,to thwart, its inclinations. We perhaps do them a violence, even by our greatefl care and attention, in this mode of culture; fince we impofe-on them a foil, climate, and an air, altogether artificial. The breadth of the border for a houfe, as reprefented by fig. i. Plate III. fliould be all the width of the houfe within, and at leaft ten vfeet without ; and for fuch a one as is reprefented by fig. 2. fliould be to the extent of twelve or fourteen feet be- yond the front-wall. Having {hewn the compofition, bread Ji, and depth, the borders fliould be of, in a good fituajion } I fhall only obferve, in re- SO' THE FORCING GARDENER. [fi. If fped: of the contrary, that, if it lies low, damp, and flat, it will b$ advifable to raife an artificial hill, to the height of three feet above the common level, (allowing the fur- face to be one foot deep of tolerably good foil), compofed of the above-mentioned materials, which may be mixed with the natural earth, and of the full breadth, as aforefaid : , pave # the bottom in a Hoping manner all round, and, if neceflary, run drains to carry off the wet; and here ere& the Grape-houfe. As the plants are to be planted within the houfe, it is obvious, that both the front wall and flues mufl ftand on pillars ; whofe foundations muft be to the depth of the pavement in the one cafe, and fix inches deeper than the foil in the other. The compoft muft be well prepared, by trenching and jnixing it, three or four fe- veral times during the Summer preceding the planting; and the building maybe go- ing on at the fame time. Let the furface of the border, both with- out and within the houfe, be forked up annually, * For a more economical method of making a bot~ torn, fee Book II. Chap. i. Seft, 2» CH. 5.] GRAPES. 8l annually, and let a little rotten dung be worked in. Hence it appears, that I do not approve of the border without the houfe being made a walk of, as direct- ed by fome; nor even do I approve of its being cropped with vegetables, unlefs in a very "flight manner. Wooden wralks mould be ufed within the houfe, which ought to be compofed of fpars, placed within two inch- es of each other, to the breadth of eighteen inches ; and thefe ought to be fupported from the ground by tiles or bricks, that a circulation of air may be admitted to the border underneath. SECTION III. On Preparing the Plants. IF plants of proper kinds, and whieh have been one or two years in pots, cannot be procured, recourfe muft be had to producing young ones by cuttings, which is the moft certain and fpeedy method. The vine may alfo be propagated with facility, by" layers, and by feeds ; both which methods, however, are in fome mea- F fure #2 THE FORCING GARDENER. [fi. I< fare objectionable ; the former, becaufe that the plants thus obtained are apt to grow "much to vine and little to wine;" and the latter, on account of the difficulty of procuring effectually ripened feed; and that, even in this cafe, it is apt " to fport." Let us follow the moft approved mode, viz. by cuttings. And, For this purpofe, in the pruning feafbn, make choice of a quantity of the under part of the beft-ripened, roundeft, and fhorteft-jointed (hoots of laft year; which let be cut off with two inches of the for- mer year's wood *, headed down to three eyes, tied in parcels, numbered and regif- tered according to their kinds, and ftuck into the earth in a dry lituation till want- ed. About * Mr Speechly mentions feveral methods of making vine cuttings ; and particularly recommends that by one eye. I have given them all fair and frequent trials j, and, after all, anV inclined to flick by the old-fafhioned Mallet method, I have always found the ftrongeft plants to be obtained by it. — But, to make the moft of a rare kind, the method by one eye is of great advantage. It is performed by cutting off the bud, with half an inch of the fhoot below, and one inch above, in a {loping manner -, and placing it againft the fide of the pot fa- cing the fun, to the depth of half an inch. CII. 5.] GRAPES* 83 About the ift of March, let a bed, in all refpeds the fame as that which is recom- mended for afparagus, (See page 1 1), be pro- vided; obferving to lay a few inches more of old tau on the furface, and of a fize corre- ponding with the number of cuttings requi- red. Take garden-pots about fix inches in diameter, and the fame in depth ; fill them with entire vegetable mould of decayed tree-leaves ; place two cuttings in each, fo deep as to cover the undermoft eye an inch ; and plunge them to the brim in the tan. Cover at night with mats, if necefiary; admit plenty of air, in good weather, through the day ; and refrefli duly with well aired water. The plants will grow a-pace : and, to their encouragement, let the bed be lined, whenneceflary; and as the (hoots approach to the glafs, let the frame be raifed with bricks, &c. that they may have full room to extend. By the time they have made (hoots to the length of five or fix joints, they will require frefh potting j and muft be put, fingly, into pots of nine or ten inches in diameter, being filled with half Vegetable arid half melon or cucumber F 2 mould, 84 THE FORCING GARDENER. [~J5. I, mould, divefted of all but one flioot, and placed in a vine-houfe, pine-flove, or a flight hot-bed, preyioufly prepared 5 where let them be duly attended to in the articles of air and water, (fometimes the drainings of a dunghill) during the remainder of the feafon. Pinch off all laterals and tendrils as they appear; drefs each fhoot neatly to a rod; and, when their growth is over, and the wood ripe in the under part, head them down to three or four eyes, and place them in the open ground, in a dry and airy fi- tuation, till the planting feafon SECTION IV. 0/z Planting, aqd tie Kinds l>eft adapted to the Grape* Houfe* ABOUT fix feet between the plants is the diftance they fhould ultimately ftand at ; but it will be proper to plant them at half that diftance, as a crop or two may be obtained before it will be necefTa- ry to thin them out ; obferving to place kinds two and two together, that, in thinning Ctt. 5.] GRACES. 85 thinning alternately, any of the kinds may not be totally extirpated. Suppofe, then, that the houfe is built, and the border has been prepared conform- ably to the directions given in the laft fec- tion, and that the plants are in readinefs } let pits be made, at the above diftances, eighteen inches deep, and as much in dia- meter; fill themhalf with vegetable mouldy take the plants carefully out of the pots with the balls entire, and, unlefs matted, place them fo in the pits, filling in with vege- table, or other rich,lig^it mould, and fettling them with a little water. But if the plants have been a confiderable time in the pots without being ihifted, and if their roots ftre in any meafure matted, it would be improper to plant them fo ^ therefore, let the ball, in this cafe, be reduced a little, and let the matted roots be fingled out} retaining all the fibres poffible, and fpread- ing them carefully out, in placing of the plant. This operation may be perform- ed any time from the firft of November to the middle of March, with equal fuccefs #. F 3 Amongft * On the firft day of May 1793, I planted a Grape- houfe with young plants, ftruck in February. In 1795- they 86 THE FORCING GARDENER. [fi. I, Amongft the numerous variety of Grapes, I do not know above eighteen or twenty kinds worthy of a place in the vinery, and even that number cannot have places in an ordinary-fized houfe > but, where there are two or three houfes, a variety to the extent af twenty-four kinds may be encouraged, without tranfgreffing the bounds of mo- deration. The following is a lift, viz. White fweet Water. Syrian. White Mufcadine. White Tokay. Royal do. Flame-coloured do. Black do. White Pafle Mofque. Black Frontinac. Grecian. White do. White Mufcat of Alexandria. Red do. Black do. Grifly do. Large black Clutter. Black Hamburgh. Black Conftantia. White do. White do. White Raifin. St Peter's Grape. Red do. Lombardy. ' - ' 401 ** -'/ Out of which, according to the fancy of the proprietor, may be chofen an ample collection to ftock any Grape-houfe. The following is a brief defcription of their properties and appearances 3 which, perhaps, they had a few fruit ; and in 1796, the befl crop I remejnber of having feen. CH. 5.] GRAPES. 87 perhaps, may help to determine the choice of thofe who are unacquainted with their qualities. 1. White fweet Water. This is the beft early Grape we have. The berries grow clofe on the bunch, are white, or rather of a ruflet colour when ripe, round, large, and thin fkinned j and are replete with an agreeable, fweetifli juice. An error, too common, prevails of cutting this Grape ere it be fully ripe. Hence it is lefs in repute than it deferves to be. 2. White Mit/cadine* . The berries are of a moderate fize, white, roimdifh, the fkin thin, juicy and delicate ; the bunch well formed, and mo- derately large. This Grape is alfo fre- quently cut before it be perfectly matu- red 3 but it is a good fruit, corses in early, and bears abundantly. 3. Royal Mufcadine. This Grape nearly anfwers in defcrip- tion to the preceding, only that the bunches F 4 grow 88 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. T* grow much larger, and the wood and fo- liage a good deal ftronger. 4. Black Mufcadine. The berries of this kind are black, round, and juicy 3 the fkin is thin, the bunch of a moderate fize, and well formed. It is a plentiful bearer in general. 5. Black Front inac. The berries are round, black, of a mo- derate lize, and of the inoft exquifite fla- vour,'as all the kinds of Front inacs are 3 the bunch long, unfhouldered, but well form- ed. 6. White Frontinac. The berries are large, round, and of a greeriifh white colour, except the fide next the fun, which, when well ripened, is a pale ruflet. The bunch is large, and fomewhat more fliquldered than the preceding. 7. Red Frontinac* The berries are* round, of a browniih red colour, moderately large, and (grow clofe on the bunch. I ,know many who efleem CH. 5.] GRAPES. 89 efteem this above all the kinds of Fronti- nacs, for its high mufky flavour. The plant is a moderate bearer, and produces well-fhaped, middle-fized bunches. 8. Grljly Front inac. The berries are round, of a grifly brown colour, moderately large, and very high flavoured 5 the bunch of a middle fize, rather longifti, and unfhouldered : a great bearer in general, when well managed. 9. Black Hamburgh. The berries are large, black, of a round- ifli oval fhape, and cpniift of a pulpy flefh and thickifh fldn ; are not of a very high fla- vour, but agreeably fweetifh. The bunches are large, handfomely fliouldered, and are produced in great abundance : few, if any. grapes exceeding this in luxuriance, 10. IV bite Hamburgh 9*or Portugal* The berries of this kind are large, oval, of a pale white, thick {kin, and hard pulpy flefh ; the bunches are large and long, and fomewhat fliouldered. The plant is a great bearer, Cp THE FORCING GARDENER. [E. I. bearer, and grows very ftrong, both in wood and foliage. n. White Raifin. The berries are large, white, oval, with a 'thick fkin, and hard, firm flefh. The bunch is long and handfome, in which the berries hang loofely. 12. The properties of this kind are much the fame as thofe of the preceding, only that the berries are of a reddifh black. 13* Syrian. Amongft the coarfeft of the grape kind, nor has it any property to recommend it, except that it is a good bearer, and pro- duces enormoufly large bunches. The berries are large, round, and white. 14. White Tokay. The berries are white, rather oval than round, of a moderate fize, thin ikinned, and grow clofe on the bunches ; which are of a good fize, and well formed* This is an CH. 5.] GRAPES. 91 an agreeably flavoured grape, and a pretty good bearer in general. 15. F lane- coloured Tokay. The berries are large, of an oval fliape, pretty thin fkinned, of a beautiful flame- colour when well ripened, but not < very high flavoured ; the bunches are large, and elegantly formed with fhoulders ; and the plant generally produces good crops. 1 6. White Paje Mofque. This is a good Grape. The berries are large, round, and of a yellowifh white when fully ripe ; the bunches are of a mo- derate fize, and well formed ; and the plant is a pretty good bearer. 17. Grecian, or Greek Grape. The berries are of a middle fize, of an oval caft, of a blueifh-white hue, and grow rather clofe in the bitnches ; which are >of a moderate fize, and well-formed. This is a high-flavoured grape, and a plentiful bearer in good foil: 1 8. White 92 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. 1 8. White NLufcat of Alexandria. * The berries are large, oval, of an amber colour, and a high mufky flavour 3 but the fkin is thickiih, the pulp hard, and not very juicy. The bunch is large and handfoine, on which the berries hang loofely. On the whole, it is an excellent Grape. 19- 1 Black Mufcat. The berries are round, black, of a mid- dle fize, thin fkinned, and of a high-fla- vour j the bunch is moderately large and well-fhaped, on which the berries fit rather clofe. The plant is a pretty good bearer in general, 20. Large Black Clujler. The berries are rather fmall, oval, black, grow clofe on the, bunch, which is not very large, though pretty well ihaped. The juice of this fruit is harfh, and makes the palate feel rough, as when having tafted Port wine ; which is made from this plant alone* up 21. Black CH. 5-] GRAPES. 93 21. Black Conftantia. The berries are of the middle fize, ra- ther oval than round, black, but not very high flavoured. The bunch is moderately large, and well formed. 22. White Conjlantia. Much the fame as the preceding, but on the whole a larger and better fruit. 23. St Peer's Grape. The berries are large, round, and black ; the fkin is thin, and the fleih delicate and juicy; the bunch is large, and handfome- ly formed ; and the plant is a good bearer* <*• 24. Lombardy. The berries are pretty large, black, ra- ther oval than round ; the fkin is thick, and the flefh foft and juicy. The bunch is very long, and unfhouldered, on which the berries fit rather clofely. The plant is a pretty good bearer. 'SEC- 94 THE FORCING GA&DENER. [B, Jf SECTION V. On training and Pruning. IN the laft Section, I have obferved, that; the plants fhould be planted at double thicknefs, in order to furriifli the houfe, and obtain a crop or two while the tem- porary plants remain. Thefe muft be mark- ed, and confidered as fuch from the begin- ning : and, as the farther mention of them in refped: of training*and pruning would only tend to confufion, I fhall fimply treat of the principals ; leaving the thirming a- way, and final extirpation of the tempo- rals, to the judgment and difcretion of the operator. The plants being headed down to three or four eyes, as direded in Sedion III, will generally pufti them all 3 in w^hich cafe, rub * off the \veakefl one, and drefs in the other three, as they advance, at the diftance * The knife fhould be ufed as little as poffible ; and| the young fhoots being of fo tender and brittle a na- ture, there is no difficulty in doing all that is required in fummer drefling, with tfie finger and thumb, except CH. 5.] GRAPES. 95 diftance of from nine to twelve inches. Pinch off all tendrils and laterals as they appear ; making a rule, however, of lea- ving all the laterals above the lajt tie, which fhould not be nearer to the extremity of the fhoot than ten or twelve inches 3 as that part, being fo very brittle, is apt to break, fhould it meet with any obftruc- tion, and at the fame time be confined too near to the point: In cafe of which, it is ad- vifable to leave the laterals, as above hint- ed, that one of them may lead on the growth, and become a fubftitute to the pro- per (hoot. When the two fide-fiioots have arrived at the height of four or five feet, they fhould be flopped, in order to throw in the more ftrength to the middle one, which muft be encouraged, and fuffered to grow without interruption the whole feafon ; not only on its own account, but on that of the roots, whofe progrefs always bears pace with that of the branches. The uppermofi lateral in cutting out any old fterile branch : which, however, ought never to be done before the flowering feafon ; as, previous to that, much injury would be done by the plants bleeding, which never happens afterwards. 96 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. lateral of the fide (hoots, after being Hopped, will puih a freih fhoot ; which fuffer to grow two or three joints, and then flop it again, otherwife the uppermofl eye of the proper fhoot will break. Repeat this operation, on the lateral produced by the fir ft lateral, as occafion may require, till the growth of the fhoot' is quite flopped for the fea- fon. When the plant has done growing, the wood ripe, and when the leaves begin to drop ; it is then the proper time for pru- ning*. Let the middle fhoot be headed down to three, four, or five feet, according to its flrength ; and the two fide ones to two eyes each. Next feafon, the plants will pufh vigo- ; roufly. Train the uppermoft fhoot of the middle * This operation mould nevsr be deferred longer : for, if it is, it rarely happens that the plants do not bleed in a greater or lefs degree, the {topping of which is attended with much difficulty ; and, to effecl: which, an application of hot wax anfwers as well as any thing. Care mould alfo be taken to keep the plants from the extremes of heat and cold for ten or twelve days after pruning, that the wound.s may gradually heal, and the pores contract; otherwife they are apt -to burft out a- frefh, when the forcing is begun. CH. 5.] GRAPES. 97 middle branch to the top of the houfe ; Hop the lowermoft fhoot of faid branch * when it touches the bottom of the for- mer 3 and, if the intermediate ones fhould fhew fruit, leave two or three with a cluf- ter at each, and rub off all the reft. Train the ftrongeft, from each fide branch, to the height of eight or ten feet 5 and ftop the others at four or five eyes each. In autumn, prune them down as follows : The uppermoft fhoot on the middle branch to eight, ten, or twelve feet f , according to its ftrength ; the undermqft on faid branch to two eyes ; the ftrongeft of the two up- permoft on the 'fide branches, to five or fix feet ; and the weakeft, to three or four ; and the lowermoft on each fide branch, to two or three eyes each, which finifhes for the fecond year. If * Let this be dreffed to the old wood j paffing it over, under, or between the fruit fpurs. f It may be worthy of remark, that when the plants are in a vigorous ftate, and pufh forth ftrong fhoots, the bed formed, largeft bunches, and finefl fwelled berries ure produced from the extremities of thofe of this de- fcription. Indeed, in all cafes, the handibmefl clufters of the branch are produced on its extremities And this obfervation is not applicable to the vine alone, but to fruit trees of every defcription. G 98 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I. If all has gone well, the plants will be fit to produce a tolerable crop of fruit the third ieafon ; for which purpofe there are now three ranges of moots in height, and at the diftance of thirty or thirty-fix inches from each other ; having fhort fpurs of two or three eyes each, for the production of a fucceffion- of wood between them, at bot- tom. Train the uppermoil fhoot on the middle branch to the top of the houfe ; the lower- moft till it touches the bottom of faid fhoot ', rub off all the intermediate ones which have no clufters, and fhorten thofe that have, at one joint above the upper- moft clufter. Train that moot which was left longeft on the fide branch, to the top of the houfe : the lowermoft to the "bottom of faid fhoot ; rub off what have not, and fhor- ten thofe that have clufters, as above. Train that fhoot which was left ftorte/l on the fide branch, to eight or ten feet j the lowermoft to fix or eight eyes ; and rub off or fhorten the intermediate ones, as above. Train the uppermoft eye of each of the ipurs, 011 the fide branches, to five or fix feet} and the lowermoft to as many joints. Thus CH.5-] GRAPES. 99 Thus will the trellis be completely filled with young wood to produce a full crop next feafon *. In Autumn, prune down as follows : The. uppermoft fhoot on the middle branch, to within eighteen inches of the top of the Jioufe ; the lowermoft f to the length of fix feet j the uppermoft moot on the longeft fide branch, to within nine feet of the top of the houfe.} and the undermoft to the length of eight or nine feet ; the uppermoft {hoot on the morteft fide-branch, to within nine feet of the top of the houfe ; and the undermoft to five or fix eyes ; the longeft ihoot from the fpurs on the fide branches, to three or four feet 3 and the morteft to two eyes each ; — which concludes for the third year. To the intelligent reader, it would be fu- tile to go through the operation of train- G 2 ing * Having made no diftin&ion between the two kinds of Grape-houfes in the culture ; I wifh to be underftood here as meaning the large houfe, the roof of which ad- mits of four ranges of bearing flioots •, whereas the roof of the fmall houfe will admit of only three ranges. f Next pruning feafon this mufl become the middle branch, by the lopping off of all above the bottom of it. Seefig- 2. Plate V. lOO , THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. 1. ing and pruning for the next feafon; I fhall 'therefore conclude this fedion after having made a few necefTary qbfervations. It may riot be convenient to follow the above directions in all cafes ; therefore, much muft be left to the judgment and candour of the gardener : but I would, in a general manner, caution him againft any great deviation, and particularly from fuf- fering too great a profufion of fhoots and foliage in the Summer dreffings. Thefe, if the health and regularity of the plants are kept in vie\y, will require to be repeat- ed every five or fix days > and let not this be thought a hardfhip, for, from experi- mental practice, I can aflure him, it is at- tended with more eafe and lefs perplexity, than when the plants are fuffered to grow wild as a bufh. Therefore let all laterals, tendrils, and decayed leaves, be carefully removed as they appear ; and when the fruit begins to colour, let at leaft one-third of the whole foliage be regularly thinned away, which >vill greatly promote the fwelling, and ren- der the fruit of an infinitely higher fla- vour, by the fre* admiffion t>f the fun and air, CH. 5.] GRAPES* lot air, than when fhadet'.cby the whole foliage, laterals, and tendrils, as is too frequently the cafe. As there are a great variety in the kinds, not only in the fruit, but in the ftrength of the fhoots and fize of the leaves 3 refped: mufl be had to the diftance they are placed at accordingly, and alfo to the fhortening of them, both in the Summer and Winter dreffings. Pay refpedl to the regularity of the ydung fhoots only, no matter how near they lie to, or even if they cover, crofs, or are drefled to the old wood, which laft, let be cut away, when it has done its of- fice. In the lopping of ftrong branches, be careful to make clean -wounds with the knife j and drefs off, in a neat manner, the outward fhreddy bark or rind found on fuch \ which generally becomes a harbour for infeds of the acari tribe, and other- wife is very unfightly. 'The branches fliould then be wafhed with the liquor re- commended in page 62., or at leaft with a folution of foap-fuds and fulphur. G 3 And IO2 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. f* And for an illuftration of Autumn of Winter prunmgs, fee Fig. 2. Plate V. SECTION VI. On the temperature of the Grape- Houfe* FIRE fhould not be lighted the firft fea- fon, unlefs it proves cold or wet, and the wood is not ripened in good time > in which cafe, a moderate fire heat, from the firft of September, would greatly encou- rage the growth, and promote. the ripening of the wood. As the plants will bear gentle forcing the third feafon, it will be advifable to forward them the. fecond, in a moderate degree. For this purpofe, let flow fires be made about the firft of April, (by which time the plants will begin to vegetate), fo as to raife the air of the houfe at fix in the morning and eight at night to about 55° > in the courfe of a fortnight increafe the heat to 60° -y and in another fortnight to 70 degrees ; at which let it continue till the firft or middle of June, and then let fire GH. 5.] GRAPES. IC3 fire heat be totally difcontinued for the lea (on. The third feafon, the forcing may com- mence on the rirft of March, without in- juring the plants; and, if carefully per- formed, a fair crop of fruit may be ob- tained. Begin then, by making and re- gulating the fires, fo as that the thermo- meter may not ftand above 50 degrees at feven in the morning, and eight or nine at night ; keep it fo till every eye in the houfe is broke ; and then gradually in- creafe it to 60, 65, 70, and, when the bloom begins to open, to 75 degrees. I have already hinted in another part of this work, that vegetation in forcing ought to be brought on as it .were by ftealth ; which is the caufe of my advifing the above gra- dual and progreffive rife in the. climate of the houfe : and if this is not particularly attended to in the firft fta'ge of the opera- tion, dif appointments will follow, as the plants will not break their eyes (arid of confequence will not (how fruit) regular- ly- Keep the air of the houfe' as near to G4 75 104 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I* 75 degrees, till the fruit is fairly fet *, as poffible j and it may then be let down to 70 or 72 degrees. At this, endeavour to keep it, till the crop is all gathered j after which, farther attention to the climate is unneceflary. In the following feafon, the forcing may (if fancy requires) be begun a month or fix weeks fooner ; that is, about the middle of January or firft of February > in which early feafon, great attention mull be paid to the regulation of the fire heat, I believe I have been more fcrupulous in this parti- cular than moft gardeners -y fome of whom I know feoff at the idea of* too much uni- formity in the climate, alledging no fuch ^•: firidnefs * Grapes in general are found to fet beft in a moid heat of about 75 degrees. But I have found by expe- rience, that all the kinds of frontinacs require a much greater degree of heat, not only when in flower, but from the time the clufters are diilinguifhable ; while thofe of the white fweet water and white and royal mufcadines, require a much lefs degree : the former be- ing apt to curl up and become ileril for want of heat, and the latter to produce a greater quantity of fmall berries in confequence of too much. Wherefore, if there is any difference of climate (which isv fometimes occafioned by the placing of the furnaces) in the houfe.. the above hint mould be taken advantage of. .H. 5-J GRAPES. 105 ilriclnefs to be neceflary, from the un- fteadinefs of our own : not confidering the vaft difparity between the unfettled ftate of the climate in our ifland, and the regu- lar ierenity that prevails, at all times, on the continent. A month may be gained each year, where there are two or three Grape-houfes, and it is required to have Grapes at a very ear- ly feafon; until the forcing1 is begun fo ear- ly as the firft of October : but where there is but one or two houfes, the firft of March in the one cafe, and of January in the other, is quite foon enough to light the fires. But of this fee farther in Secft, XL of this Chapter. SECTION VII. On tie AdnriJJlon of Air to tie Grape-Houfe. AFTER planting, let a due portion of air be given every day from fun- rife to fun-fet, until the buds, begin to break ; after which, obferve a more point- ed regulation, being guided much by the temperature of the weather, and the quan- tity to6 THE FORCING GARDENER. [fl. fi tity of fun-fhine; admitting lefs or more every day, unlefs the feverity of frofty winds renders it imprudent to do fo. But, as the Summer advances, be very liberal in this article in ferene weather : it will greatly tend to the ftrengthening of the young (hoots. It is a practice with many to uncover their Grape-houfes in Winter. This I never did, not fo much that I difapprove of the pradice, but owing to the expence attend- ing it, not only in removing and putting on, but in breaking the glafles, and wafting the flues ,by fhe extremes of froft and blanching rains. But, my ^method has been to admit an equal and free circula- tion of air, by opening the fafhes alternate- ly at top, bottom, and middle, to the ex- tent of at leaft a third part of the whole covering, and letting them remain fo, day and night ; never ihutting up for any caufe but that of too much wet. The fecond feafon, obferve much the fame regulation as above ; and, if fire is applied for the forwarding of the wood, (as hinted in Section VI.) pay due atten- tion at that time, as the fudden breaking out CH. 5.] GRAPES. 107 Out of the fun in dull weather, when there is a good deal of fire heat in the houfe, is attended with much danger. On the fuppofition that the plants have made good xvood for the production of a crop the third year, and are to be forced from the firft . cf March ; let the houfe be mut up at night from the middle of Fe- bruary, and have the fame quantity of air admitted in the day it enjoyed all Winter. From the time the fire is lighted, give a ' moderate quantity, every day, if poflible, till the buds have all broke, to the extent that in fun-mine the thermometer may not rife more than 10° above the fire-heat me- dium : but, after the buds have broke, and the temperature of the houfe is increafed, be careful in the admiffion of frofty, or foul damp air. The latter may be entire- ly excluded, except, perhaps, for an hour or two in the middle of the day ; and the bad effects of . the former may in fome meafure be avoided, by opening the top fafhes * only, a little way, to pafs off the rarified * Few people pay the attention, to this article which, in my opinion, it deferves. I have often feen air ad- mitted in a manner as if by mere chance 5 fometimes by 108 THE FORCING GARDENER. B. I.] ratified air occalioned by the fun-heat 3 which is frequently very intenfe in clear frofly weather, in the months of March and April. In clear fun-fliining weather, my prac- tice has been, to give and take away air -by degrees $ that is, by giving half air about eight in the morning, full air about ten or eleven, reducing to half air about two or three, and {hutting up about four or five in the afternoon, fooner or later, according to the feafon of the year. From the time the fruit begins to co- lour, give large portions of air till the crop is all gathered, the flavour being thereby much enhanced 3 and afterwards expofe the houfe night and day for the Winter, as directed by opening two or three fafhes at a place, fome- times in the middle of the houfe, the top, bottom, or either end, &c. without the leaft difcriminatiott. The air ought to circulate freely in all parts of the houfe. To effecl: which, it fhould be admitted at top, bottom, and middle, or at leaft at top and bottom ; dividing it equally in every part of the houfe, according to the quantity to be given : and that too at all times ; unlefs the feverity of froft renders it imprudent to do fo any- where but at top, as here directed. CH. 5-] GRAPES. 109 direfted above ; fhutting up, however, if much wet, or hard froft, fliould happen during the firfl ten or twelve days after the plants have been pruned for the fea- fon. SECTION VIII. On Watering^ Wajhing, and Steaming the Grape-Hottfe. THE firfl and fecond feafons, keep the border in a moderately moift ftate while the plants are growing ; but, after their growth begins to abate, (particularly the fecond feafon), withhold the waterings by degrees, in order to make them harden and ripen their flioots for the production of a crop the third y£ar. Water frequent- ly with the drainings of a dunghill j which will be found infinitely ferviceable, and greatly to promote the growth of the plants. This is a method of manuring, perhaps inferior to none ; and, whatever may have been faid by theorifts, refpecSing its tainting the flavour of the fruit, ought not to prevent the practical gardener from applying it in moderate quantities, at any feafon lip THE FORCING GARDENER. [fi. I,' feafon of the year. At a dry time, when the moifture of the dunghill had been fud- denly exhaled by the heat of the fun, I have frequently laid dung in Jleep for this purpofe. Wafh with the hand-engine twice or thrice a-week in the evening, in order to refrefh and keep the plants clean. Steam- ing is unnecefTary, unkfs there is fruit in the houfe. Tfte third feafon, keep the border alfo in a moderately moift ftate, till the fruit begin their la ft fwelling. Give large quan- tities of water till they begin to colour : after which, entirely withhold it till the crop is gathered ^ and then give two or three hearty waterings, in orcler to reco- ver the ftate the bolder ought to remain in for the Winter, which fliould neither be dry, nor uncomfortably wet, Wafh twice or thrice a-week, till the flowers begin to open ; withhold till the fruit is fairly fet ; wafh again till they be- gin to colour ; and then withhold .entire- ly for the feafon. Some difapprove of ufing the engine in the Grape-houfe ; but it is equally necef- fary CH. 5-] GRAPES. fary here as in the cherry or peach houfe ; nothing being more conducive to the health of the plants, than frequently to fprinkle their foliage with water. Beiides, by throwing it with fome force, infects are thus deftroyed, and their breeding prevented. By a proper application of the engine, endeavour to render the plants quite clean of infects, particularly the red fpider, before the fruit begins to ripen off, as, after this time, it is not advifable to water the foliage, on a double account, viz. left, by moifture hanging about the clufters, the berries might rot through damp, and alfo become infipid in flavour. In the interim of wafhing, fteam every night when the fire is at the ftrongeft, by pouring * water on the flues till an object cannot be feen at the diftance of two or three yards : and repeat this early in the • morning, • * In another part of this work, I have already hinted, that I do not think it worth the while to erect the fleam- ing apparatus for any fpecies of forcing, except peaches. For the Grape-houfe, it would be extravagant ; as fteam can be produced there at any period of forcing, efpeci- ally in the flowering feafon, when a ftrong fire heat is recniifite at any rate. 112 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. morning, if the temperature of the hpufe fhould require the making of fires, or if there is a fufficient heat in the flues to produce fteam, even in a middling degree. SECTION IX. On the For?natzon9 Thinning, and Maturation of the Clit' Jiers. TN the vafl variety of Grapes, it happens, •*• that not only the berries, but the feun- ches? afiume different forms : and al- though many kinds, from their nature, re- quire little or no trouble, except thinning, in the formation of handfome clufters 3 yet, there are fome which, from the loofe- nefs of their compolition, require to have their ihoulders fupported from the body of the bunch, not only in order to promote the regular fwelling, but to prevent the rotting of the berries, which otherwife frequently happens, if damp weather in the time of ripening. Amongft thefe may be reckoned the Syri- an, Tokay, Raifin, Lornbardy, Royal Muf- cadine, St Peter's, and the Hamburgh ; which, CH. 5-] GRAPES. which, when the berries have arrived at about the fize of peas, fhould have their fhouldcrs fupported to the trellis or branches by ftrands of matting, &c. and, at the fame time, have their berries regularly thinned out, with fharp narrow-pointed fciflars, to the extent of about one-third of the whole. At this time, alfo, let the other kinds be thinned out in the fame manner ; obfer- ving to thin out the fmall, feedlefs berries only, of the Sweet Water, Flame-coloured Tokay, and Mufcadine. If the culture of the grape is attended even with ordinary fuccefs, it will alfo frequently happen, that many kinds will fhew more clufters than, for the future wel- fare of the plants, ought to be fuffered to remain on them. In thinning of thefe, no rule can be laid down in cafes unfeen; therefore, in this, as in many others, we muft confide in the difcretion of the gar- dener. But I would beg to remark, that the fafe iide of error is, to thin too much rather than too little, efpecially on young plants. After the berries begin their laft fwell- ing, and approach to maturity $ care muft H be 114 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B, I, be taken to keep the bunch clear of any which, from damp, bruifes, or the bites of wafps, or any other infedts, may begin to mould, as thereby the whole clufter will be quickly afleded and entirely fpoiled. Grapes of all kinds fhould hang on the tree till dead ripe, particularly the thick- fldnned ones. SECTION X. On tie Infefts which infefl tie Grape-Houfe ; and how to deftroy them. THESE are, the green fly, thrips, re4 fpider *, and wafp. The two firft are eafily deftroyed by a fumigation of tobacco. The third are kept under by the engine in Summer ; and effec-r tually deftroyed, as direded in page 62, in Winter. The laft, by the deftrudion of their nefts f , phials filled with honey and water, * Frontinacs are more fubjed to the red fpider than moft other forts ; and all kinds are more fo in the pine or dry ftove, than in the Grape-houfe. f The moft effectual method of deftroying the nefts of wafps is this : JViake a fquib-cafe of cartouch paper, pafteboard, or of a ftrong ftem of hemlock j mix up com- le matter fufficient, of gunpowder and fulphur, to fill CH* 5«] GRAPES. 115 water, or fugar and fmall beer, and bird- lime. All thefe methods are, however, fometimes ineffectual for the deftru&ion of wafps, where they abound in vaft quanti- ty : and their fondnefs for Grapes renders it fometimes neceffary to inclofe the bunches in bags of gauze, or filken paper, which is truly a misfortune ; as the Grapes, by be- ing fo much excluded from the action of the fun and air, fall greatly off in flavour. SECTION XL On tie Prolongation of the Grape Seafon, where there are more than one compartment for its Culture. WHERE there are two or three Grape houfes, and a fucceflion and fruiting H 2 pine, fill it in the common manner ; but firft put in as much clean gunpowder as will charge a piilol ; fire the fquib ; thruft it into the hole of the neft, and inftantly clofe it round with a little mud, previoufly prepared for the pur- pofe. When the fquib burns to the gunpowder, it will Explode, and drive the whole fmoke back to the inner- mod parts of the neil. In a few minutes, dig it up and each individual, if not already dead, will be found fo much fickened as that it cannot efcape. This operation ihould be performed after fun-fet, when the enemy hav& returned from their depredations. Il6 THS FORGING GARDENER. .[a. I* pine ftove, the Grape feafon may be con- tinued from the firfi or middle of March to Chriftmas ; and where there are two or three Grape-houfes only, from the firft of June in the one cafe, and the middle of April or firft of May itf the other : to ef- fect which, the following methods have been my practice. For the production of ripe Grapes in March *, I reverfed my fucceffion and fruiting ,ftoves f ; by which means, I had it in my power to force, in fome meafure, the vines therein contained : as I found? without doing fo, I could not bring them in before April or May |. In this manner, (and from the way in \vhich the plants were trained), the two ftoves fupplied a confiant fucceffion of fruit till the firft or *' ' middle of June* To continue which, I be- gan' my firft Grape-houfe on new-year's day ; my fecond on the firft of March ; and my third, and laft, I kept as much back as poffible. * I have fometimes had them in the end of February. f They were both on one plan. •J A more conftant equality of climate being requiiite in the ilove than in the Grape-houfe, is obvioufly the caufe. CH. 50 C poffible, by expofing it to the weather night and day till the natural feafon brought the plants into flower. By this time, it 'was the fir ft of June. I then {hut up at nights 3 and encouraged the growth of* the plants and fruit, by lighting and continuing the fires the whole feafon ; had ripe fruit about the firft of Oc- tober, which, by part being hung up in the fruit room, continued till Chriftmas. ' Previous to my introducing Grapes into the pine ftoves; and in order to have a fup- ply of fruit from the month of April to Chriftmas ; I began to force my firft houfe on the i ft of November, my fecond on the i ft of February, and my third I treated in the manner above fpecified. The following feafon, I began to force the firft houfe on the ift of October ', and cut grapes on the laft day of March : but, in the night between that and the ift of April, the front flue burft ; by which acci- dent was loft the whole foliage, wood, and about five hundred bunches of Grapes juft coming to maturity. Nothing could be more galling. I inftantly cut down every new flioot to one eye j continued the fame H 3 degree Il8 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B^ 1* degree of heat 3 and gave plenty of air and large quantities of water. The plants made the fmeft wood that fame feafon ; and had the heft crop of fruit the following, I have feen. The above curious circnmftance I have related, not merely on its own account j but to the end that, were the like happen- ing to any perfon, the plants might not be thrown out in defpair; which had well nigh been the cafe with thefe. I alfo planted young plants between each of them ; but, as the old ones far furpafled them in vigour before the end of the fea- fon, I threw them out again. Let it be here obferved, that although I found it neceflary to force the Vines in the ftoves alternately, by reverfing them from fruiting to fucceflion houfes, yet I by no means did, or would advife that to be done, with the Grape-houfes. Forcing of any kind is an outrage done to Nature ; and the more it is avoided, the greater will be our fuccefs 5 and confequently, the fame rota- tion being obferved, will be the lefs liable to error. ^ SEC- CH.'$.] GRAPES* SECTION XII. On tie Cultivation cf Grapes in the Pine &<,-: THE cultivation of Grapes in the Pirie Stove is in general pradice j and the plants are commonly planted on the outfide of the houie, introduced through holes in the parapet, and trained up the under-fides of the rafters. This method I have prefumed to deviate from, for the following reafons : Firft, Becaufe I think it unnatural that one part of a plant fhould he, as it were, in Green- land, and the other .in the Weft Indies 3 and, Secondly, Becaufe I am convinced that no plant (efpecially the Pine) will live and thrive as well under the made of another, as when expofed to the free fun and air. To obviate thefe objections, I planted my Vines in the lobbies between the ftoves and peach and grape houfes 3 introduced them through the partitions j and trained them horizontally on trellifes fixed againft the back-walls, and upright H 4 fafhes 120 THE FORCING GARDENER, fafhes in front, (See Fig, 2. Plate I.) by which means, each of the ftoves were ren- dered equal to any Grape-houfe, without being in the leaft injurious to the Pines. The front-walls of the lobbies *$ .were alfo built on pillars } and a border, both without arid within, was prepared for the; plants, in ^ the fame manner as for the G2ape4i6tifo#fel , * «.'aPh(fe ^&c6n& -year --''after introdudion into the ftjSVe,-the plants completely filled the - whole trellis 3 and a ;fine crop, the third a luftre and richnefs to the with a good crop of tlg.- J '^FKe- ffone tocthod^, m Regard to : water- mg,'wafli[rig', a'iidv flcarning, is to be prac- tifed here as in the Grape-houfe. Air is admitted folely for the fake, and to anfwer the nature, of the Pines ; the temperature of the houfe is alfo regulated for their fakes. But, the mode of training and pruning * This method may be praftifed in the fame manner, where a grape or peach houfe adjoins the ftove j and where a ftove {lands detached, it is cuftomary, and in- deed neceffary, to build porches with double doors ; and, of conference, it is eafy to render them fubfervient to this purpofe. CH. 5-] - GRAPES. 121 pruning here is very different from that in the Grape-houfe. Here, it is impoflible to bring on vegetation in that flow and regu- lar manner which may be done in the Grape-houfe ; and, confequently, were the fhoots to be laid in at as great lengths, they would only break, perhaps, a few eyes at the extremities, and the remaining parts would remain naked. This I found, from experience, to be the cafe ; although it did -not happen for the fir ft three or four years, owing to the youth and vigour .of the plants : but, when they had, in fome meafure, exhaufted themfelves by bearing a few crops, thejr began to break their buds in the manner above ftated. I therefore made it a prac- tice to train them only to five or fix feet in Summer, and to fhorten them down to one or two, m the pruning feafon ^ by which treatment they generally broke all their eyes, and produced plentiful crops of fruit. In one houfe, I tried, for two feafons, to produce crops by laterals j but found that method attended with more inconveniency than the above, from the difficulty of pro- curing 122 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. fr curing a proper fucceffion of flrong fhoots to produce the laterals, without which they bear very infignificant clutters . s I alfo, in the other houfe, produced a fecond crop, for two feafons : but, finding it to exhauft the plants very much, I dif- continued it } the more efpecially, as, ha- ving fo many compartments for Grapes, this praftice was the lefs neceflary. The method is this : Juft about the time when the fruit is half ripe, and when the under-part of the Ihoot is alfo ripe to the length of about two or three feet, and the extremity of it in a growing ftate, fhorten it, at about two or three feet above the ripe part. It will pulh again, and will generally bring two clutters. Sometimes, alfo, the fecond and third eyes will pufh, and bring a clutter or two. In winter pruning, fhorten down the firft, or fpring-made part of the flioot, to two or three feet. This method may be repeated, with pretty good fuccefs, once in two or three years } but, if done every year, it will (in the courfe of three or four years) occafion the cutting of the plants down to the ground, CH. 5.] GRAPES. 123 ground, in order to make them put forth a frefh ftock of wood. In the event of fevere froft, and the plants being in an early ftate of vegeta- tion ; let the border, on the outfide, be co- vered with a quantity of ftable-dung, or long litter, to prevent the roots from being injured by the weather. Unlefs the plants are to produce a fe- cond crop, they inufl not be pruned for good fooner than Odober; and, at the* fame time, that operation mould not be deferred longer than the firft of Novem- ber, left, when they begin to vegetate, they mould bleed. Grafting the Vine is performed with fa- cility ; but I do not think it of fuch con- fequence any where as in the ftove. The method by approach * is certainly to be preferred. * The coinmon way of performing this method, is, by growing the young plants or fcions in a pot, and engrafting the lali Summer's (hoot, on the old ftock, juft about twenty days before the plant begins to vege- tate. But, the mofl fuccefsful way is, to perform this operation in fummer, about the time the fruit begins to ripen, in the following manner : Apply the middle Qi a young moot, whofe bottom part is beginning to ripen, and the 324 THE FORCING GARDNER. jJB*ti preferred. The frontinacs, mufcadines/ and fweet- waters, would be greatly impro- ved, and rendered more durable for this compartment, by being engrafted on the Syrian, or any of the other coarfe grow- ing kinds : but the Syrian is the moft pro- per for a ftock, t>f any. Grape Vines will bear forcing, and laft for many years, if under judicious ma- nagement : but it frequently happens, (e- *fpecially where the gardener is often chan- ged), that the plants run out of a proper ftock df bearing wood, either for want of keeping the border in a proper condition in refpecS of trenching and manuring, or by being irregularly and ' untimouily for- ced. To recover which, the plants fhould be cut down to the la ft eye on the three loweft fhoots of the former year, upon each ; the roots fhould be cut to within a yard of the ftem on each fide y and the border fhould be trenched up, and, if ne- ceflary, the extremity in a free, growing ftate, to the lafl year's; wood on the flock ; bind up with ftrands of matting ; and apply no clay. The young plant will be perfect- ly fecure, before tfce growth is over, the fanie feafon. CH. 5»] GRAPES. 125 4P cefTary, renewed, and rendered equal to a new one. See Sed. II. of the prefent Chapter. The plants will make vigorous roots and branches j and the third year afterwards, ill be as good in all refpeds as they were in that of their age. This is not theory ; I have been eye* witnefs to the experiment, which has been crowned with fuccefs. CHAP. 126 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B CHAPTER VI, MELONS. THE cultivation of this much-efteem- ed fruit is fo general, that hardly a garden is to be met with where it is not followed in a greater or lefs degree, and that too with general fuccefs. As I have been particular on the forcing of cucum- bers, as the treatment of thefe and Melons is in many refpeds the fame ; and as I have faid much on the culture of the cucumber, which equally applies to that of the Me- lon, it will be unneceflary to go through an elaborate repetition here. I ihall there- fore briefly remark any particular differ- ence in their management on the dung hot-bed, and then pafs to the culture of Melons in fiued pits. Let the plants be raifed in the fame (or a fimilar) feed-bed as that of the cucum- ber 3 let the bed or beds, wherein they are to CH. 6.] MELONS. 127 to come to maturity, be made in the fame manner, and a little flronger, turfed all over, the fame quantity of old tan or light fandy loam be laid on *, moulded and planted in the fame manner, have air ad- mitted freely, and kept moderately moift till they begin to mew fruit. After this, and till the fruit is fairly fet and begun to fwell, be fparing in the waterings, efpeci- ally in damp weather, and allb endeavour to keep the bed as free of fleam as pot- fible ; fhorten the vines which have fruit, at two joints above it, and train thofe that have none, in a regular manner, to the length of feven or eight, and then flop them, to make them pufh new vines, which will generally mow fruit at the fecond or third joint. When the fruit is fairly fet, water free- ly till they have done fwelling and begin to ripen, and then be very fparing, as too much water at this time not only takes greatly * One-half flrong brown loam, a quarter light black loam, an eighth vegetable mould, and an eighth ftable- dung, will make an excellent compoft for Melons ; of which quality is that I have ufed for many years> with fuccefs. 128 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I. greatly from their flavour, but frequently occafions the burfting of the fruit, which renders them both unfightly and unfit for carriage. Let a piece of flate, tile^ or glafs, be laid under each fruit 5 it both keeps them from damping and partaking of an earthy flavour. Some, indeed, flate the furface all over, and others cover \vith ftraw, reeds, mofs, &c. ; all which methods I difapprove. The flates being fo near the glafs, draw too ftrong a reflection in hot weather for the plants to bear with patience ; and the ftraw, mofs, &c. contain, and confine too much damp in dull weather ; befides, the flates contribute much to the breeding of the red-fpider *, and the mofs, &c. to the harbouring of beetles, earwigs, &c. which are * Melons are very fubje£t to this deftru&ive in feel: in hot weather, which is truly a calamity, as nothing will Hop its progrefs but water, which at fome periods of the Melon feafon cannot be applied without doing much mifchief to the fruit ; and the leaves and vines being; of fo brittle a nature, they cannot be bruihed or handled (although ever fo carefully) without fuftaining lefs or more injury. The liquor (See page 62.) is ef- fedually deftru&ive of the fpider, but mult not be ap«r plied to foliage of any kind. Ctt. 6.] MELONS. 129 are very definitive of the plants and fruit. As the fruit approach to maturity, keep the plants moderately thin of leaves, none of which fuffer to fhade them from the fun, and give large portions of air, which will add much to their flavour. Melons ihould be kept regularly and mo- derately thin of vines and foliage at all times, fhould be frequently looked over, and fhould never be pruned too mucli at a time, as thereby the plants would be much exhaufted, being apt to bleed at every bruife or inciiion. Melons fhould be cut the moment they are ripe, otherwife they lofe much of their flavour : this, in moft kinds, is better known by the fmell than colour of the fruit; Many of the early kinds, and if early fown, will produce a fecond crop, equal, both in quantity and quality to the firft. For this purpoie, after the firfl crop is all cut, the vines fhould be fhortened back to the laft live-joint on each, the bed fhould be well-watered, and fhaded from the mid- day fun, for eight or ten days ; by which I time I3O THE FORCING GARDENER* [B. I, time the plants will begin tt> pufh and ihpw fruit in abundance. Second crops may alfo be obtained by layers ; and they will 'produce very well by cuttings. But in following this latter method, a moderate heat fhould be prepared, in another bed, wherein to firike and grow the plants. Melon feed ought to be perfectly ripen- ed before fowing, by being kept in a dry place, or worn in the pocket ; but it is fafeft not to fow it till a year old, and it will keep frefh for feven or eight. If the feed is not perfectly ripened, and faved from fruit which is alfo fo, the plants pro- duced by it will not be fruitful, running much to vines and male-bloomy and any fruit which may be fhown are apt to drop away. It is pretty generally underftood by gar- deners, that melons, like moft exotic annual plants, degenerate, if they are cultivated in the fame foil for any confiderable kngth of time. Hence it becomes neeeflary, either to change or improve the foil', or to ex- change the feeds. But the value of good kinds, particularly of the early forts, when once CH. 6.] MELdNS* once got and afcertained, makes the foi> mer method preferable to the latter. At one time, the idea occurred to me, that were the feeds of Melons laid by for a time, to fow them afterwards in the fame garden might anfwer the purpofe here in view. Accordingly, I laid aiide, for three years, a part of each kind of my choiceft forts. I then fowed them, and they were evidently improved in quality } which I can account for in no other way, than that in the courfe of this time, I \vas at much pains and trouble to improve my Melon- mould. Perhaps, however, the feeds might have been partly improved by ag :-. I come now to the culture of Melons in flued pits. (See Fig. I. Plate I.) I have already faid, that I do not think thefe pits fo eligible for the production of Melons at an early feafon, as the dung hot-bed, and in page 26. have given my reafons. I will therefore fuppofe that the pit was alfo built for other purpofes, is employed in the fpring in forcing afparagus, &c., and is to be employed in producing a late crop of Melons. I 2 The 132 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. f. The firft or middle of June will be fooit enough to plant * } and at this feafon a very moderate degree of bottom heat will be fufficient ; whatever articles the pit has previoufly produced will have been forced on tan or dung, which will alfo now be much exhaufted. Let the heat, therefore, be renewed, by adding and mixing about one-third of new, with the old tan or dung ; level it to the bottom of the flues all around ; turfing will be unnecefTary ; mould to the depth of fifteen inches, which will raife the whole fijrface to the height of the top of the flues j and by^the tan or dung fubfiding, will again be level with their bottoms before fire heat is neceflary. Place the plants in a row along the mid- dle of the pit, at the diftance of two feet from each other ; and attend to them in the articles of water, air, pruning, impreg- nating f , &c., in, all other refpeds as di- reded * The plants may be raifed in a hot-bed, or under hand or bell glaffes. I fay nothing of the kinds ; eve- ry gardener has his favourites, and will judge for him- felf. f It is even more neceflary to impregnate Melons than cucumbers, for this plain reafon : The fruit of the cucumber is ufed green, and before it be matured; whereas C.H.6.] MELONS. 133 reded for the dung hot-bed, and accord- ing to the nature of the feafon, and ftate of the weather, till the firft or middle of September ; and by that time it will gene- rally be neceflary to apply fire heat, both on account of cold and damp, which then begin to be confiderable. The fruit by this time will be far ad- vanced, fome of which will be approach- ing to maturity 3 and for the maturation and production of the reft in a tolerable degree of perfection and flavour, let flow fires be made in the evenings, increafing as the feaibn advances, fo as to raife the air of the pit at eight at night, and eight in the morning, to about 70 degrees. Air is eflential to the flavour of the fruit ; and that it may be admitted in to- I 3 lerable whereas that of the Melon, except for pickling, is ufe* lels and naufeous, until it be perfectly ripe. Now, it has been ascertained, that the fruit of the cucumber may be produced of a fize fit for the table, although every male-bloom were deftroyed at its firft appear- ance, and conlequently, the embryo fruit were not im- pregnated But 1 have not yet been able, either by actual experiment or otherwife, to learn, that a Melon (except of one variety, a fub-hermaphrodite) could be produced in perfection without being impregnated. THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. lerable quantity, and at the fame time that the heat may be kept up in dull weather, let a little fire be made in the mornings. Water muft be ufed with caution \ the growth of the plants will now be over; and when the fruit hath arrived to its full iize, watering ihould be entirely difconti- nued. PHAP- CH, 7-] MUSHROOMS. CHAPTER VII. MUSHROOMS. SECTION I. On tie Confer uEiion oftfa MuJbroom-Hovfe. THIS vegetable is much in requefl in. many families at all times of the year ; and fome have compartments built folely for its production ; but it is gene- rally produced in the back flieds of hot- houfes or green-houfes, cellars, ends of ftables, &c. and fometimes on beds built in the open air, and proteded by cover- ings of draw or other litter. This laft is attended with much inconvenience, not on- ly on account of the difficulty of effectu- ally flickering the bed from the inclemen- cy of the weather in Winter, but that in covering and uncovering at the time of gathering the crop, many .of the young 1 4 ones, 13(5 THE FORGING GARDENER. [fi. I. ones, which are jult peeping through the furface are unavoidably deftrpyed. Little light or air (except when the bed is in preparation) being eflential to the production of mufhrooms, they may be raifed as fuccefsfully in the back-fhed, ftable, or cellar, as in- any other way ; but where they are required at all tiines of the year, a compartment where fire-heat may be commanded is indifpenfably neceflary. Fig. 2. Plate IV. reprefents the plan of a mufhroom-houfe, wrought; by one fire, and divided for the purpofe of producing them in fucceffion, on a conftrudtion that has given much fatisfadtion for many years. It is of little confequence in what fituation it is placed, provided the bottom be dry ; and the roof may either be of flate, tile, or of thatch. Where there is neither fhed nor ftable, &c. rather than make up the bed in the open air, and be under the inconvenient necellity of covering the furface with ftraw, &c. let a frame in form of the roof of a houfe compofed of half-inch boards, be made to any convenient length, and to tjie \yidth of fix feet at bottom : This two people CH. 7-] MUSHROOMS. 137 people can lift off and on at pleafure ; and in the feverity of Winter it can be covered with litter, &c. to prevent the froft from deftroying the plants or fpawn. The boards ihould be imbricated and well paint- ed or laid over with pitch, to prevent the wet from penetrating ; and a trench fhould alfo be dug all round the bed, to keep its bottom dry. Boards fhould alfo be made, at two or three different places, to (lip for the admiflioa of air, when required. B SECTION II. On Preparing the MuJhroom-Beds. ECAUSE the feeds of Mufhrooms have not yet been difcovered, fome are doubtful whether there be really any fuch thing ; and not a few are of opinion, that this, and many other plants, are pro- duced fpontaneoufly without feeds. Mr Berkeley fays, " The extremely fmall feeds u of fern, mofles, mufhrooms, and fome other " plants, are concealed and wafted about " in the air, every part whereof feems re- " plete with feeds of one kind or other." And THE FORCING ^GARDENER. [-B. |> And Mr Switzer; an advocate for the idea cif 'Spontaneous productions, feems. to be of opinion, that fome plants are -produced from juices, lodged originally *-Jiv the ground. Be this as it may, we know that the Mufhroom may be produced frorn fpawn ; and%lfo without any certain vifible ingreK dietit, or origin, -from when.ee ::i|r!^pt}i fpringv The former, being th^.mpft natu- ral, has hitherto been the moft Qommon method; but of late years, even making, or, as it may be faid, creating Muihroom- fpawn, has becoihe -a branch of trade with fome. According to my mode, the production of the-Mufliroom depends almoft folely on the preparation of the bed. Some pay little attention to this matter ; arid where ipawning is uniformly pra£tifed,, the }efs is neceflary : but ;I prefer the roetbod of ma- king the bed ai whole mafs of fpawn. •••It may be' objected, that this method is dilatory : This 1 grant is the cafe : but if the bed is duly prepared, the time of cut- ting may be reckoned upon with equal, if not greater certainty, although at a great- €H. 7.] MUSHROOMS. er diftance ; and of what confcquence is that ? it only requires beginning the fooner to prepare the bed. Beds that are built and fpawned in the common way feldom produce above three or four months toge- ther : I have frequently had them produ- cing the year round in great abundance ; and I once had a bed which produced two complete years, and in fuch quantities, that befides generally yielding a difh every day, feveral gallons of ketchup were made from it. However, Mufhroom-bed^ of all kinds are fubjecT: to many misfortunes, and the fpawn is of fo delicate a nature, that it is quickly deftroyed by too much cold, heat, drought, or wet. My mode of preparing the bed is this : I firft lay about a foot of furnace-afhes, brick-batts, or ftone-chips, fora bottom; then fix inches of horfe-droppings =*, taken carefully from the {table every morning, and kept as whole as poffible : Thefe I fuf- fer * I have found, that the 'richer the feeding of the ani- mal, the more produ&ive are their droppings ; and there- fore prefer the droppings of coach or hunting horfes to thofe of the farm. It may be worthy of notice, that ilone-horfe droppings are the moil produ&ive of any. 14-0 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. If fer not in any wife to heat ; and the whole time the bed is in preparation, I expofe it to all the air in my power, provided it be not damp. After this courfe has lain ten or twelve days, is quite dry, and there is no apprehenfion of its fermenting, let it be covered to the thickuefs of two inches, with half vegetable mould of decayed tree- leaves, and half light, fandy loam, which fhould be well mixed together previoufly. But indeed, light, rich, dry mould of any kind will anfwer ; being of no other ufe than for the fpawn to run in. Lay on an- other courfe of droppings in the fame manner 3 and when it is alfo perfectly dry, and paft fermentation, cover it with the fame mould, as above. Lay a third courfe of droppings and mould, in the fame man- ner, which finilhes the bed. In the ma- king, the bed (hould be gently rounded in the middle (efpecially if it is placed out of doors) to run off the wet. Thus the bed will generally be a month or five weeks in making, and in as much more will begin to produce, unlefs the wea- ther or ftate of the droppings has been un- favourable. It CH. 7.] MUSHROOMS. 14* It is obvious, that from the above mode of proceeding, a whole courfe of droppings cannot be laid on at once, unlefs where there are a great many horfes kept, or the bed is but of trifling dimenfions ; therefore, when the laft end of the bed is covered, proceed with the firft, if fit, a fecond time', &c. previoufly covering with mould. SECTION III. On tie temperature of tie MuJhroom-Houfe. IT muft here be underftood of fuch as is reprefented by Fig. 2. Plate IV. or of one where fire heat is requifite, and at command. I have found that Mufhroom^ beds produce beft in a conftant heat of a- bout.55 degrees; an(^ t'ie more regular it is kept, the greater will be the fuccefs. Air is of little importance, unlefs to dry off damp. SECTION IV. On Watering the MuJhroom-Btds. \ THIS muft, at all times, be moderately and regularly performed ; but it will generally be unneceflary to apply water be- fore £42 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I- * i^( fore the bed begins to produce, as the moifture of the droppings is ufually fuffi- cient till that time. Let this be cautiouf- ly performed at IGrft, until the bed attain to a proper confiftency, and then with a little more freedom. As much water as will fairly wet the furface, once in three days, will generally be found to be' fuffi- cient. But it is fafer to give too little than too much water, particularly in damp wea- ther. SECTION V. On tie Prolongation of the MuJbroom-Seafon. '' * :• 1 ..'!*'' ^Vj- .? ;>: . v M* ',V ? IN mofl places the open fields fupply them for two or three months in Summer > yet in very wet feafons they are rarely to be found, if the foil be not of a dry nature : therefore, where there are two or three places appropriated to their production, and where they are in requefl at all times, it might be advifable to have little depend- ence on the fields, referving the produce of thefe for ketchup, and preparing beds in conftant fucceffion to fupply the kitchen, For CH. 7.] MUSHROOMS. 143 For this purpofe, the compartment where fire heat is at command, mould always be appropriated to the Winter-beds, and the the fheds, &c. to the Summer ones. In gathering the crop, care mould be ta- ken not to pull up or difturb the roots of thofe that are cut, as there are generally many young ones adhering to, or rifing about them. Mufhrooms alfo frequently form, come to maturity, and die away en- tirely under ground in thefe beds, if fuffer- ed; but they are eafily recognifed, as they are general!^ very large, and pufh up little hills like thofe.of moles, above their heads. Difcovering and cutting thefe mould be performed with care, that the fpawn may not be injured. CHAP- *44 THE FORCING GARDENER. [Bo CHAPTER VI1L PEACHES AND NECTARINES* * ' -f i '-d >.' *' '• - ~ SECTION I. On the Corijl ruff ion of the Peacb'-Houfe. THE conflruftion of the compartments for forcing this much-admired and juflly-efteemed fruit, vary yefc more than that of the grape-houfe ; and what I have advanced in the firft Sedion of the Chapter on Grapes, will equally apply here. But there are fome kinds of compartments for the cultivation of peaches in ufe, which I dif- approve of, and would wifh to point out. Thefe are, oiled-paper frames, and frames placed againft flued walls, without front flues. I obje6t to the firft, on account of its darknefs, and incapability of admitting the rays of light, and free air ; both of which are fo indifpenfably neceflary to the health and vigour of the trees : — to the fe- cond, becaufe the front is the moft valuable^ flue: CH. 7.] PEACHES AND NECTARINES. ' 145 flue in any houfe; both on account of the faving of fuel from the circumftance of its having a greater command on the tempera- ture, (all rarified air afcending), and on account of the injury done the trees by the violent heat of the back flues in keeping up the temperature of the houfe, in ftormy weather; belides, the propenfity of infeds to harbour and breed between the trellis and flue, in thefe circumftauces. Fig. 2. Plate II. reprefents the plan of an approved Peach-houfe, wrought by one fire, which communicates firft with the front flue, and returns in the back; and, in my opinion, is bed adapted of any to early forcing. The trees are planted near to the front- wall, and trained to a trellis that covers the whole roof, — an approved me thod, of which fee more in Sed:. II. of Chap. XII. Fig. i. Plate III. is alfo on a conftruc- tion that is perfedly adapted to the culti- vation of Peaches. But, as this plan is gi- ven purpofely for grapes, it may be necef- fary to remark, that the two fires are ca- pable of working to an extent of ten feet more in length, if for a Peach-houfe ; and K alfo, 146 TfiE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. alfo, that, as the border for the Peach- houfe is to be only three feet deep, it will be unneceflary to found the pillars, which fupport the front wall and flues, any deeper than three feet and a half. In a houfe of this kind, a trellis is to be fixed againft the roof-beams or rafters, to the extent of half their height ; trees plant- ed between the front flue and wall, and trained thereto. Thefe will lin nowife fhade thofe on the back. And thus will one houfe be rendered nearly equal to two, as the trees on the front will have a run of eleven or twelve feet. I conceive this mode to be preferable to the common practice of planting grape- vines to run up the rafters in the Peach- houfe ; firft, becaufe, by the vines, the Peaches are generally much (haded ; fe- condly, the foil for Peaches, and the foil for grapes, fhould be formed of different materials, and of different depths ; and, thirdly, it is fimply impoffible to make and regulate a climate in one and the fame houfe to fuit both the plants in queftion. Of this the reader may be farther convin- ced by carefully perufing and comparing the CH. 7.] PEACHES AND NECTARINES. 147 the Sections on the preparation of the bor- ders, the temperature, and admilfion of air, for die Grape and Peach houfes. ^^.^•v ^^^ \ SECTION II. On tie Situation and Preparation of the Border. WHAT I have faid in Sedion II. Chap. V. on the cultivation of the grape, in regard to the fituation of the border, equally applies here, both in re- fpeft to the. good and the bad j a repeti- tion of which is unneceflary. I will there- fore pafs to the compofition, breadth and depth. Three fourths ftrong brown loam, an eighth light fandy loam, and an eighth ftable-dung, with about a fortieth part of {hell-marl, was the compofition of the Peach borders at Wemyfs Caille ; all of which were made completely three feet deep. The breadth for the narrow houfe, is fourteen feet from the back- wall ; and, for the wide one, all the width of the houfe within, and to the extent of twelve feet without. K2 It 148 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I, It may be unneceflary to fay, that the compoft is to be well prepared for the plants, by trenching and mixing it tho- roughly, and rendering it into a mafs perfectly homogeneous. The neceffity of this, in all compoft preparations, is evi- dent, and ought to be the chief butt of our aim, next to that of fixing on proper materials. As before hinted, I would not wi ill to fay that this compofition only is fitted for Peaches : it may be varied ; it may be made ftronger, lighter, richer, or poorer, according to circumftances, and the judg- ment of the gardener. But I would re- mark, and obfervation and experience juf- tify it, that the above may with proprie- ty be deemed a good medium. For particulars, refpeding the annual management of the furface, &c- fee the latter part of the fecond Sedion on the Grape, SEC- CH. 7.] PEACHES' AND NECTARINES. 149 SECTION III. On Planting^ and the Kinds left adapted to the Peach- Houfe. MAIDEN, or one-year-traiaed trees/ are to be preferred to any other. Riders of the fame age fliould be planted between the dwarfs ; except on the front of the large houfe, where they would not have time to do any good before their re- moval would become neceflary. From twelve to fifteen feet, according as the length of the houfe will beft divide, is a competent diftance between the dwarfs. The feafon is, any time from the firft of November to the firft of March. Fill in the pits with light rich compoft, and fet- tle the roots with a little water. The following is a lift of Peaches and Nedarines ; out of which, thofe marked thus * ought to be preferred. But even this is difcretionary, and every one has a right to indulge his own fancy, whether in refped: to the choice or amplitude of his collection. K 3 Peaches, If 50 THE FORCING GARDENER. Peaches. Mignionette. * Red Magdalen. * White do. * Royal George. * 'Grimwood's do. •Nobleffe. Chancellor. Belle Cheveraux. * French Minion. Early Newington. * Smith's do. * Montaubon. * Tetton de Venus. * Early Pur-pie. Peaches. * Late Purple. * Orange f. Ramboulliet. Hatiye. Nectarines. * Roman. * Scarlet. * Elruge. * Newington. * Temple. *DucdeTelloJ< * Murray. * Brunion. S E C- j- This fruit, when ripe, is the moil elegant of any of the Peach kind ; is a great bearer, a cling-ftone, and of thefe the beft flavoured I know. $ This is a Spanifh Nedarine ; and, of all others, ought to take preference. The fruit is of the moft ex- quifite flavour, dark purple, a free-ftone ; and generally grows to the fize of a nobleffe Peach. CH. 7.] PEACHES AND NECTARINES. SECTION IV. On training * and Pruning. FAN-training is the only way in which Peaches will do well. Therefore* after, planting, and to make the trees put forth vigoroufly and fill the trellis from the bottom, (I ipeak of the dwarfs), head them down to two or three eyes on each moot, if maiden, and to the laft eye on each branch, if one-year-trained trees. The riders being temporary, and pla- ced here only for the purpofe of obtain- K4 ing * Much has been faid, of late, refpe&ing training on horizontal trellifes -, and fome have even been at the trouble of ere&ing them in a manner whereby (by the ufe of ropes and pullies) they can deprefs or elevate them at pleafure. This, I confefs, is both minute and reasonable, where it can be praclifed. But 1 am incli- ned to think that it cannot eaiily be done without itrain- ing the tree in the movement ; and it is obvious that it cannot be done by any but a fmall trellis placed in the middle of the houfe. After all, the production of well-flavoured fruit depends much more on the judici- ous management throughout, than on what pofition the trellis be,. 152 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I. ing a crop or two while the principals are filling their fpaces, need not be fliortened fb much, whether maiden or trained trees. This will make them pufh more mode- rate fhoots, and bring them fooner into a bearing- ftate ; which objedl muft al- ways be kept in view* while they remain here. And, as the treatment of them will, in all other refpeds, be the fame as that of the principals, I fliall take no far- ther notice of them ; leaving the thinning away, and final expuHIon of them, to the prudence of the gardener. When the fhoots have arrived to the length of two or three inches, rub offfuch as are placed fore-right or back-right, and lay in the others as they advance, at the diftance of nine or ten inches ; being careful not to bundle in the leaves with the tie, and to allow fufficient room for the fwelling of the fhoot : and pinch off all laterals as they appear. When their growth is ft opt for the feafon, cut them back from one-half .to a third of their lengthy, according to their ftrength .5 and, in dreffing, bear the fide ones \vell down, to fill the bottom part of .the trellis. Next GH. 7-] PEACHES AND NECTARINES. 153 Next feafon they will pufli vigoroufly, and muft be laid in at the above diftances ; obferving to lay in the undermoft flioot on each branch to furnifli the under part of the tree, and the uppermoft for a lead- er : rubbing off all the intermediate ones, unlefs wanted ; but at any rate the fore- right ones, as thefe greatly deform the tree. At the end of the feafon, leave them generally at three fourths of their whole length. If the wood has been well ripened this feafon, the trees will bear a few fruit the following. But, unlefs the trees are very vigorous, a few only mould be fuffered ; paying refpect rather to the furnifhing of the trellis for a crop the fourth feafon, which may reafonably be expecSect. For this purpofe, lay in the fummer ihoots regularly, at the diftance of fix inches, which forthwith muft be reckon- ed the medium ; and, in the winter pru- ning, fliorten the flioots of the extremity of the tree only a few inches each, and lay in thofe of the middle at full length. Obferve this practice till the trees have filled their places ; and afterwards fhort- en 154 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. en none, unlefs to fill any cafual vacancy, or in cafe of the extremities of the {hoots being injured by bruifes, &c. It is a common practice to fhortea every fhoot lefs or more. This may be proper^ in many inftances, on peaches growing in the open air, as when the ex- tremities of the fhoots have not been fully ripened, and are injured by froft ; but it can only be fo far proper in the %Peach-r houfe, as to caufe the plant pufh fhoots to fill a vacancy, or to keep the bottom part of the trellis furniflied with a fupply of young wood. Peach-trees require to be frequently looked over in Summer ; and divefted of laterals, and water-fhoots from the old wood, Where not requifite ; being kept regularly thin, and neatly drefled to the trellis, &c. In tying, however, be care- ful not to tie too near to the point of the fhoot ; leaving always a few joints be- tween the laft tie and extremity : alfo, be careful not to bundle in the leaves with the tie. About the time the fruit is fairly fet, is that for dijbudding : and this operation is CH. 7-] PEACHES AND NECTARINES. 155 is to be performed with great care and nicety. Seledl what buds on each fhoot it may be thought neceflary to leave, and rub off the reft with the finger. Thofe to be left are generally the uppermoft and undermoft, and fometimes one or two about the middle of the fhoot ; which laft fhould be left in an alternate manner. A wood-bud is frequently placed by the fide of, or between two fruit; in difpla- cing of which, be careful not to injure them. By the timely performance of this duty, much future trouble in pruning may be fpared ; and much better, and more vi- gorous fhoots for the production of a crop the following feafon may be obtained, than when the flrength of the tree is ex- haufted in the produce of fuperfluous growth, afterwards to be deftroyed. When the fruit begins their laft fwell- ing, let them be expofed to the free adion of the fun and air, by picking off every le'af that overhangs them. And, when the leaves begin to drop, aid this effort of nature by iwitching off the leaves gent- ty, from time to time : an operation more neceflary THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. neceflary here than on the common wall, on account that the wind is not fo much helping to this efFedt. SECTION V. On tie "Temperature of tie Peach- Houfi. FIRE heat fhould not be applied fooner than the third feafon ; and then on- ly to ripen the wood, in the Autumn, (if neceflary), for the better production of a crop the fourth year. But as, even the fourth feafon, the trees will bear but very gentle forcing, and as I wifli to be parti- cular on this head > I fhall wave the far- ther confederation of the temperature of the houfe to the fifth feafbn, and fhall then fuppofe the forcing is to be commenced on the id of February. Let the fire be made fo moderate the firft fortnight, that the thermometer may not ftand at eight at night, and feven in the morning, a*bove 45 ° j and, in the courfe of the fecond fortnight, increafe to 50° ; afterwards gradually to 55° > at which point CH. 7.] PEACHES AND NECTARINES. 157 point endeavour to keep it till the ftoning is fairly over, and then increafe to 60° 3 and, towards the fruit's ripening, to 65 ° ^ which it fhould never pafs, on account of drawing the young fhoots up weak. It is hoped thefe rules may fuffice for the regulation of fire heat, although the forcing were begun fooner in the feafon. In this cafe, however, much caution is ne- ceflary in the procefs, that by an over-beat at an early period of the year, the plants may not be injured. Indeed, in the whole progrefs of the application of fire heat, the greateft regularity and fteadinefs fhould be obferved ; as thefe trees are impatient of fudden checks of any kind, efpecially in the time of fetting and ftoning. SECTION VI. On tie Admijfion of Air to the Peacb-Houfe* FROM the time the trees are planted, a large and free circulation fhould be encouraged every day, from fun-rife to furi-fet, the whole of the fir ft feafon j and, when 158 THE FORCING GARDENER. JJ3. la when the growth is ftopt, and the wood ripe, let the houfe be expofed in the fame manner as directed for the gfape-houfe, in the Se but afterwards, in the middle of the day, it may be fuf- fered to rife to the height of fifteen. When CH. 7.] PEACHES AND NECTARINES. 159 When the fruit begins to colour, the houfe fhould be opened by fun-rife, and fhould not be fhut till" fun-fet, unlefs to de- fend the fruit from heavy rains ; paying little refped to funftiine at this time : air being as eflential to the flavour of the fruit, as the rays of the fun ; and the more fo, when thefe are excluded. After the crop is all gathered, let the houfe be expofed for the Winter, as be- fore. SECTION VII. On Watering, WaJIring, and Steaming tie Peacl-Houfe. PEACHES, when in a growing ftate, re- quire plentiful waterings ; and the border fhould always be kept in a mode- rately moift condition : withholding a littlq in the time of fetting and ftoning, and to- tally from the time the fruit begins to co- lour. After the crop is gathered, give a few hearty waterings, to bring the border irtto a proper ftate for the Winter. Wafn thrice a-week, with the hand- engine, from the commencement of the forcing, till the flowers begin to open; withhold l6o THE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I. withhold till the petals begin to decay ; wafti again till the fruit begins to ripen ; and then finally withhold, unlefs the trees are afflidted with the red fpider, &c. in which cafe, wafh every day till they are quite clean. In the interval of waftiing, fteam night and morning, in the manner as directed for the grape-houfe, if not provided with the fteaming apparatus. In another part of this work, I have faid, that I do not think this apparatus of any confequence, except in the Peach-houfe. My reafons are thefe. — In the grape or pine houfe, there is always a command of fire-heat, at any period of the flowering feafon, to raife a fufficiency of fteam for the purpofe. But, in the Peach-houfe, this is not the cafe : as, in mild weather, and in the flowering feafon, the temperature of thejioufe is fuch, as fometimes to require very flow fires 3 and, of courfe, the flue is perhaps not heated enough, to raife fteam in any great quantity. It may juftly be faid, that, in this cafe, it is the lefs requifite, as then the artificial air of the houfe approaches nearer to the natural : CH. 8.] PEACHES AND NECTARINES. l6l natural : yet (learning, at this time, is of in ,nite bene'i, to the trees, as it both en- courages the fetting of the fruit, and pre- vents the ' -reeding of the red folder ; and the engine cannot be employed at this time, for fear of hurting the bloom. Therefore, where there is a range of Peach-houfes, it may be advifable to ered: the apparatus : but, for a {ingle houfe, or two, I hardly think it worth the expence 3 as, in the cafe of fteann'ng by the flues being impracticable, water can be thrown out of a fmall fquirt or fyringe, in the form of dew, againft the bloom. The idea, however, of fteaming every day without difcrimination, is, in my opi- nion, ridiculous. Is the world enveloped in a cloud of mi ft day by day ? Does the health of either animal or plant require it ? or, could they bear it ? In order to avoid errors, let us follow, as far as the cafe will permit, the didates of nature ; and thus we may alfo fave ourielves the mortifica- tion of diiappointments. L SEC- 162 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B SECTION VIIL On ^binning and Gatleri?ig tie Fruity THINNING is an indifpenfable duty j as there are many kinds of Peaches and Nedlarines which otherwife would foon bear themfelves to death. This oper- ation, however, fhould be performed with caution, and never done for good till af- ter the ftoning is over ; as, till then, all danger of dropping is not paft. My rule for thinning is this : — A fruit for every foot fquare of the furface of the tree for the large kinds, and for every nine or ten inches of the fmall kinds of Peaches, and Nectarines in general. This muft be underft.ood as for trees in a healthy and vigorous ftate ; but, when otherwife, they fhould only be fuffered to produce accord- ingly. As an inflance : — I once had an El- ruge Nectarine, a great bearer, which had a tendency to grow naked of fhoots below ; I pulled off eveSy fruit within fix or eight feet of the groufid one feafon, and it made wood in that part in confequence. So CH. 8.] PEACHES AND NECTARINES. 163 So that, it would appear, it were well to be contented with a fair crop ; which is bet- ter, in the end, both for the tree and its owner. But, certainly, nothing can be more cenfurable than the practice of thofe who negligently fufFer every fruit the tree may let, to -remain on it 5 evidently to the inju- ry of the whole crop, and ultimately to the ruin of the plant. And, of what value or flavour are this multitude of nutmegs, compared with the graceful appearance and relifli of well-fized fruit ? It is cuftomary to let the fruit drop of its own accord, when ripe ; and, for this purpofe, the border is covered with mofs, and nets or mats are hung againft the trel- lis to catch them. I have ever been of opinion, that all kinds of fruits, except grapes, lofe much of their flavour if they are fuffered to remain on the plant till dead ripe ; and, in conformity thereto, have made it a pradice to pull my Peaches and Nectarines. I have often been afked, Ht)w I came to know when they are fit for pulling ? (as handling or feeling them is improper). L 2 This 164 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. t. This is only attained to by minute obfer- vation and cuftom, and a thorough ac- quaintance of the kinds; and, if taking them gently between two fingers, the back of the hand to the tree, and moving them backwards and forwards, does not difplace thofe fufpeded to be ripe, pafs by them till next day. In this manner, let the trellis be gone 'over each morning, and good account will be found in the prac- tice ; as not the one-half are loft or brui- fed, which are, when fuffered to fall ; and the fruit, not being dead ripe, are much fitter for carriage, if requifite. This prac- tice I would recommend alfo, on account that the border, when covered with mofs, emits a bad flavour ; and nothing is more conducive to a good one, than the furface being kept clean, and being frequently ftirred up while the fruit are ripening. SEC- -}•< CH. . REACHES AND NECTARINES. SECTION IX. On tit Infcfts that infeft tbe Peacb-Honfe, and how to dejlroy them. THESE are, the aphis, the acarus, and the cocci, or fcaly infect ; to which may be added,, although not an infed, that more deadly malady, the mildew. In treating of this article in the third and fourth Chapters of this work, I have given ample directions for the fuppreffion and extirpation of the infeds ; but the mil- dew remains to be confidered. It is evidently an itch or fcurvy in the blood of the tree; occafioned by injudi- cious management in the culture, a damp" iituation, or cankering foil. And although I cannot fay that I ever had it in my power to try experiments for its deflruc- tion, (having never been troubled with it) ; yet I have endeavoured, and I think fuc- tefsfully, to prevent its appearance, and that by preparing good and kindly foil for the trees, and paying all due attention to their health and cleanlinefs. I am alfo confident that the wafhing with the liquor L 3 (See l66 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I. (See page 62.) has much tended to its fup- preffion. But, after all, if the border has not been compofed of proper materials, and render- ed perfedly dry and comfortable in the preparation, much fear of its appearance may reafonably be entertained. Hence it may juftly be faid, that the beft cure for this malady lies in the prevention of it. SECTION X. On tie Prolongation of the Peacb-Seafon, where tiers if mire than one Compartment for its Culture* WHERE there are two Peach-houfes, and a few trees planted againft the open wall in a fouth afped, the feafon may be prolonged from the firft or middle of June, to the firft of November, in cenftant .lucceffion, by beginning to force the firft houfe on the firft of February, and the fe- cond abo'ut the middle or latter end of March. But where there are three or four * houfes, aijd a flued wall, the feafon may * At Wemyfs Caftle, there were three narrow houfes, a large double houfe, and an extenfive flued wall, for which CH. 8.] PEACHES AND NECTARINES. may be fuccefsfully prolonged from the fifft of May to the firft or middle of No- vember. My mode was this : I began to force my firft houfe on the firft of December, and as it was not much to be depended on at that early feafon, my fecond on the firft of January ; my third on the firft of March ; and the fourth, 1 let come of its own accord, without the aid of any fire heat. I never applied fire to the flued wall until the firft or middle of Auguft, and that in order to ripen the wood^ and haften the maturity of the late fruit. I did not reverfe the fucceffive order of the Peach-houfes, and confequently they were always ready to vegetate at the fame time of year, on the application of the fire heat,, much lefs to their detriment, in my opinion, than had they been changed in the order of fucceffion. • I would here obferve, that Peach-trees, if forced every year, will wear out in the courfe of twelve or fourteen ; and, there- fore, about the eight or tenth year, young L 4 dwarfs which there were canvas fcreens 5 alto a few trees on the common wall. l68 THE FORCING GARDENER. £B. IV dwarfs ftiould be planted where the riders ftood, and the old dwarfs fhould be con- verted into riders by degrees as the young ones advance. The Peach-feafon might be further pro- longed by cultivating a few dwarfs in pots or boxes, in the fame- manner as is hinted for cherries, Chap. III. Seft. VIII. In this manner, I have witnefled the feafon of this fruit being fo far changed, as that ripe Peaches were produced about Chrift- mas * ! SECTION XL On the Cultivation of Peaches and Ne&arines on Walls, with Canvas Screens, Nets, ifc. IT may be faid that flued walls are eflen- tial to the produdion of Peaches and Nedarines in the open air, in the more northern parts of this country, although there are fome fpots, and in fome fitua- tions? where good crops in fome feafons are obtained without them ; but to their pro- -^ ducUoii * By Mr Black, gardener at Mordun, near Edin- burgh, in 1797-8. CH. 8.] PEACHES AND NECTARINES. duction to a certainty, year by year, flued walls are indifpenfably neceilary ; and where a fine garden is building, the extra expence in flueing two or three hundred feet of the beft expo fed walls, will be found but trifling. If built according to the de- fign, (See Fig. I. Plate IV.) and worked according to my method as under, the an- nual expence will alib be trifling. For fecuring the crop in the Spring, by defending the bloom till fairly fet, from the frofty winds which fo frequently hap- pen at that feafon, canvas fcreens or old nets are neceflary } but the canvas is far preferable, and in the end, little more ex- penfive than the nets. — There is a kind of thin canvas called Scrim or Ofnaburgh, which anfwers very well, and is fold at about ninepence the fquare yard. But for the flued wall at Wemyfs Caftle, I had canvas wove on purpofe, much thin- ner than any other I have feen, which now, by the a&ion of the weather, is rendered as 'fine as gauze in comparifon j and which, in 1790, coft but eightpence a yard. As much as covers a wall two hundred feet long and fourteen high, coft only about fifteen I7O THE FORCING GARDENER. [fi. I. fifteen guineas, including fpars, cords, and pullies. The manner in which it was applied is this : The canvas was made into three equal iheets, which were joined together every feafon when put on, and unjoined when laid afide ; fpars or rafters of two Inches fquare were placed at the diftance of four feet from each other, their upper ends being joined clofe to the copping, and their under ends to a ftake drove into the border, at the diftance of a foot from the wall. Thefe were alfo made to remove at pleafure ; pullies were fixed to the top of each fpar, and the canvas hoifted there- to by cords a little ftronger than garden line. At firft I clewed it at top^ but, a ilrong gale of wind having almoft tore it from the wall, I contrived to clew it at bottom, at the diftance of a foot from the ground. Two people can uncle w and hoi ft, or let down and clew, the whole in fifteen minutes. When nets are to be ufed, they ihould be doubled, in fuch a manner as to render the mefties as fmall as poflible ; and fhould be fupported from the wall about a foot by hooked CH. 8.] PEACHES AND NECTARINES. hooked pegs. It is common to hang thefe on in a random manner, but this does not at all anfwer the purpofe intended 5 which is rather to break the force of the wind, than to prevent froft. By being placed out, at a diflance from the wall, and being doubled as above, the frofty winds are broke ere they reach the tender bloom j and every gardener of penetration will admit, that winds of this defcription are more baneful than even hard frofts. As, in the preceding Sedions, I have gi- ven ample directions for preparing the bor- der, planting*, training, watering, walh- ing, &c. it would be futile to repeat them here ; and as it may be prefumed the trees will produce no very confiderable crop be- fore the fourth feafon, I will pafs on to that time. Some * Before planting, there mould be a trellis, or fpars an inch fquare, fixed againft the wall, to the height of die firft courfe of the flue only ; this being requiiite to keep the young moots from being fcorched or anywife injured by the fire heat : and by the time it has return- ed into the fecond flue, the trees may be drefied to the wall without danger. * THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. ti Some apply fire heat to their flued walls in the Spring. This I pointedly difapprove of, as no fpecies of forcing is fo intricate ; the trees being placed between the extremes of heat and cold, and it being quite im- poffible to make or regulate a climate for them. All that is necefifary for the pro- dudion of a crop, is, ripening and harden- ing the wood in Autumn, and fcreening from frofty and boifterous winds in Spring. By the time the buds begin to appear turgid in the Spring, let the fcreens be hung up : and, if canvas, let them down in the day, from eight in the morning to five or fix in the afternoon, in mild weather ; but if boifterous frofty winds prevail, con- tinue them all day. They fhould not be totally removed till about the middle of June ; by which time the* fruit will be fair- ly fet, and all danger will be paft. About the firft or middle of Auguft, ac- cording to the feaibn and forwardnefs of the fruit and wood, light the fires. Thefe muft be made very moderate at firft, and increafed as the feafon advances. If the furface of the wall, about the fecond courfe of the flue, is kept milk-warm in the night, it is all that is neceflary. And here ob- ferve, CH. 8.] PEACHES AND NECTARINES. 173 ferve, that the quantity of fuel mufl not be enlarged in a ftormy night in the fame degree as in a hot-houfe ; otherwife, all will be ruined. To attempt making a cli- mate for the trees here is ridiculous, and alfo perfedly unneceflary ; the fole inten- tion in the application of fire, being to ri- pen the young flioots for the produdion of fruit next feafon. The following quantity and proportion of fmall coal is taken at a medium, and what I have found fufficient to work a well- drawing furnace for years, viz. From the time of lighting the fire to about the loth of September, four ordinary movels-fuli at five, and as much at nine in the evening; from the loth of September to the middle of Odtober, fix fhovels-full at the above times in the evening } and from the middle of Odober to the middle of November, fix fhovels-full at four in the evening, eight fhovels-full at nine, and three or four at feven in the morning. The above is only given as a hint ; and much is left to the nature of the feafon, and judgment of the operator. But much care, in this fpecies of forcing, is indifpen- fably neceflary to the infurance of fuccefs. CHAP- 174 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. L CHAPTER IX. PINES. SECTION L Oft the ConJlruElion of the Pinery. THAT few thoroughly underftand the cultivation of this mod admirable fruit, is demonflrated by its being difcon- tinued in many places where it has been tried for years. Some have alfo given up the cultivation of Pines, becaufe of the ex- pence attending it in refpecS of fuel : the wafte of which is greatly occafioned by the conftru&ion of the fire-place and flues ; which are generally ill adapted to the burn- ing of wood or turf, without working the houfe unfteadily, and giving the perfou who attends them much .trouble. Such a furnace, as is reprefented by Fig. i. Plate V. is better calculated for burning wood .or turf than any other I know. vil. 9-] PINES. 175 know. And although I never had occa- fion to ufe that kind of fuel at Wemyfs Cafile, where coal is plenty ; yet, when at the Marquis Townfhend's in Norfolk, I was under the neceility of fubftituting other kinds of fuel for the ufe of the Pine iloves ; and to burn which, I pulled down and altered my furnaces, from the com- mon, to the plan as reprefented by the Plate. The fuel I ufed was turf and fcreen- ed cinders, mixed in equal quantities ; and a more fleady fire I have never ufed any where. Pine Iloves are varioufly conftrucled. Some are fingle pitted ; fome double ; and fome are even triple pitted 3 fome have flues running under, and fome round the bark-bed. I difapprove of thefe ; being very dangerous to the roots of the plants, if over-heated. I alfo difapprove of dou- ble and triple ftoves ; as being very unea- fy to work in ftormy weather, and confi- ning a great quantity of flagnar.e unwhole- fome air in dull hazy \veather. A ftove, where fire heat may be perfectly at com- mand, and in which a free circulation of air- 176 TH£ FORCING GARDENER. [fi. J, * air can be admitted in all parts, is certain- ly to be preferred ; and none can be fo convenient for this purpofe as a fingle one : and where it is in agitation to ered: one, I would recommend fuch as is reprefented by Fig. 2. Plate i. For the fake of ^uniformity, if placed in a range of vine and peach houfes, &c. it may be raifed to the fame height with them ; obferving to raife the bark-bed ac- cordingly, the furface of which fhould not be farther than four or five feet from the glafs. The fucceffion-houfe may alfo (if requififre) be of the fame conftrudion ; and a nurfmg pit (See Fig. i. Plate I.) will be found to be of great advantage, and anfwe? the purpofe perfedly. The fituation is immaterial, provided the furface be dry, as the bark-bed is raifed above it, and paved. And hence it ap- pears that I do not approve of a border being made in front for the produdion of grapes to be trained up the rafters, which I efteem as being highly prejudicial to the Pines. For my method of preparing the border, and training vines in the Pinery, See CH. 9.] PINES. See Section XII. on the culture of the grape. SECTION II. On the Preparation of the Bark-Bed. THIS is an article of much confequence to the welfare of the plants ', and if not judiciouily performed, is productive of great evil. It is no uncommon thing to hear of whole pits of Pines being burnt at the root by the over-heating of the bark-bed; and Mr Speechly and others give this as a principal reafon for their ufing oak-leaves. I have grown Pines for many years, and can declare that I never had the roots of a fingle plant injured by bark-heat ; and if my method of prepara- tion is ftridly followed, I can be bold to augur that none ever will. The manner is the molt fimple imaginable. My opinion, in refpect of the quantity and quality of bottom heat required by the Pine, has been different from that of any other author I have read on the fub- M jeft. 178 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. jedl. Pine plants, except in Unking of fuck- ers, &c. (hould not Hand in a bottom heat above that of blood-heat at anytime, and that too of a mild moifl nature. If the watch-flick, to the depth of the bottom of the pot, feels juft a little warm when felt with the hand, or applied to the cheek when the body is of a comfortable tem- perature, it is fiifficient; and it certainly confifts with reafon, that the bottom and fuperficial heat fhould correfpond at all times. For the more effectual attainment of which, and that the roots may fufiain no injury, the following rules, for turning and trenching the bed; are what I have fol- lowed, viz. never to fift the tan in the pit at any time ; never to add above an eighth of new, which, if neceflary, give place tc*» by fk miming off a little of the furface of the old ; never to fuffer the new tan to lie within a foot of the furface, by which means the pots are entirely plunged in the old ; to lay the half of whatever new tan is added, in the bottom of the trench, and divide the other half equally to within a fopt of the furface of the bed : in trench- ing, to throw the fides to the middle, and the CH. 9.] PINES. 179 the middle to the fides, that there may be an equal mixture of the old tan. Thus will the bed be of a mild and equal tem- perature from the firft, and will continue much in the fame ftate for three or four months ; and, after the firft filling, is at- tended with very little expence for new tan. From the above, it is obvious, that, in filling the pit of a new Pinery, it ihould either be done feveral months before the plants are to be placed therein, or fhould be well fweated and reduced by turning, in an open fhed, &c. ; but it would be advi- fable not to plunge the pots above half their depth, for the firft two or three months after filling, in either cafe. In adding new tan, it fhould always be thrown up 4n an heap for eight or ten days before it be ufed, in order to drip and fweeten ; and fhould never be applied frefh from the tan-yard 5 being both wet, and apt to heat violently and cake in the bed, if applied in that ftate. - Some obje6t to tan, on account of the expence and trouble attending the work- ing with it : but, if the above method is M 2 pradifed, THE FORCING GARDENER. [fi. I. pradifed, thefe will be found to be incon- fiderable -, and, as the plants require fre- quent fhifting, the flirring up of the* bark- bed at that time is a trifling trouble, and fometimes the addition of knew tan is un- necefTary. I am convinced there is no ingredient can be fubftituted for tan, that will equal- ly anfwer the purpofe in the Pinery ; and therefore would recommend the ufe of it, in preference to all others, where it can be procured on reafonable terms : but lefs or more of it is indifpenfably necef- fary. Oak-leaves are Certainly the next befl material ; but they are not to be had in many places. Where they are ufed, I would advife that at leaft eighteen inches of well- reduced tan be laid on the fur- face, wherein to plunge the pots. A mixture of ftable-dung and tree-leaves of any kind, is the next beft ingredient. But thefe Ihould be well fermented be- fore they are ufed, and at leaft two feet of reduced tan fhould be l^id on the fur- face. Some CH. 9-] Some have underftood the reafon why Pines are planted in pots inflead of the fur- face of the bed, to be the want of perma- nent heat in it ; that they may be removed with the greater facility in the time of renewing the bark, &c. This is not my idea of the matter. For were the heat of the bed rendered ever fo permanent, I would rather grow my Pines in pots : and here let me obferve, that I would never wifti to be concerned in the culture of Pines, unlefs I had at leaft two diftinft compartments for the purpofe. All plants of any kind do not grow alike in their native clime ; much lefs the Pine in an artificial one. Hence the neceffity of at leaft two compartments, and growing the plants in pots ; that they may be removed and clailed, according to circumftances, with the greater eafe and fafety. More- over, many plants, in any lituation, do much better in pots than otherwife : of thefe are all the fucculent tribe $ and furely the Pine may be reckoned amongil them. l82 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I* "fc^^i^tvv SECTION III. J; v On Propagating tie Plants. PINES are propagated rnoft fuccefs- fully by crowns, produced on the top of the fruit, by fuckers produced from between the leaves, and by fuckers pro- duced^ from the root of the old plant. Thefe laft are the moft defpifable, and fhould never be ufed except in a cafe of neceffity. The crowns are twifted from off the fruit when ferved at table j the fuckers, by breaking down the leaf im- mediately under, and moving them gently from fide to fide : but this is not to be done till the under part is ripe and of a brown colour, otherwife the fucker is apt to break by the middle. Much -ftrefs is laid on the article of drying them ; fome recommending1 a w£ek, others a fortnight, and fome the laying them on the fhelves, flues, &c. of the ftove : but if they are perfectly ripe, and the old plants have had no water for a week or two before they were taken off> (which CH. 9.] * PINES. (which they ought not), nothing of this kind is neceflary. The crowns are gathered one by one, as the fruit is ufed; and ihould be ftuck into the bark-bed till the whole crop, both of them and flickers, can be potted toge- ther Let a few. of the bottom-leaves be rubbed off wkh the thumb, and let the un- der part of the ftump be fmoothed with the knife ; and place them in pots of three or four inches in diameter and five or fix deep*, (according to their fizes), being filled with entire vegetable mould of de- cayed tree-leaves ; in the bottoms of which mould previoufly be laid a little clean gra- vel, of the fize of horfe-beans, to the thick- nefs of an inch. Meantime, let the nurfing-pit be pre- pared for their reception ; and, deviating M 4 from * Pots of this proportion are not generally to be had ; but where there is a flock of Pine plants, there ihould be a fet of pots of all fizes made for them on purpofe, three or four inches deepertn proportion to their width, than thofe in general ufe. My reafon for which is, that a handful of clean gravel may be laid in the bottom of each pot, which I find is of infinite fervice to the plant ; the Pine requires frequent refrefliings with water, but Tvill not bear the fmalkft degree of its flagnation, 184 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I. from the rules given in laft Sedtion, let new tan, to the extent of a fifth or fixth part, be added ; but fuffer none to lie with- in ten or twelve inches of the furface. Here plunge the pots quite to the brim, in regular order, at the diftance of two or three inches pot from pot each way, and keep them perfectly level. It may here be expeded, that I fhould fay whether crowns or fuckers ought to be preferred. To be plain, I do not pre- fer a good fucker to a good crown } for, if the fucker has the advantage of being a ilronger plant, it has atfo the difadvantage of running to fruit more uatimoufly than the crown. SECTION IV. On Preparing the Mould ; and what Kind is fittejlfor tb Pine Plant in its different States. VEGETABLE mould being a chief ingre- dient, a flock a£ it fhould' be provi- ded wherever the culture of the Pine is fol- lowed. The kind to be ufed here is that from decayed tree-leaves, and thofe of the oak CH. 9.] PINES. 185 oak are to be preferred ; but where a fuffi- cient quantity of them cannot be had, a mixture with thofe of the am, elm, birch, alder, maple, fycamore, &c. and indeed any kinds, that are not refinous, will an- iwer very well. In Autumn, and immediately as the leaves fall*, let them be gathered and thrown together into an heap, and let juft as much light loam, as will ierve to keep them from being blown abroad by the wind, be thrown over them. In this ftate let them lie till May ; and then turn them over and mix them well ; they will be ren- dered into mould fit for ufe by the next Spring ; but from flicks, &c. being amongft them, will always require to be lifted be- fore they are ufed. Strong brown loam is the next article. This mould confift of the fward of a pa- fture if poillble, which mould, previous to ufing, * They mould never be fuffered to lie above a day or two, otherwife they lofe much of their virtue -, but mould be gathered into an heap as they fall, in order to biing on a fermentation while they retain their fa- line iuices. l86 THE FORCING GARDENER. . [B. 1. ufing, be well reduced, by expofmg it a whole year to the acSioii of the weather. Pigeon-dung alfo, that has lain at leaft two whole years in an heap^ and has been frequently turned, and well expofed to the weather, is to be ufed. Alfo, fhell-marl. And laftly, fea or river gravel, which •fliould be fifted and kept in a dry place ; fuch part of it as is about the fize of mar- row-fat peas is to be employed. This is the --proportion : — For crowns and fuckers, entire vegetable mould, with a little gravel at bottom, to ftrike in; af- terwards, three -fourths vegetable mould, one-fourth loam, mixed with about a twen- tieth part gravel, and a little entire gravel at bottom, till about a year old. For year olds, and till fhifted into fruiting pots, — one-half vegetable mould, one-half loam , to which add about a twentieth part gra- vel, and .as much fhell-marl, with a little gravel at bottom, as above. For fruiting in, one-half loam, a fourth vegetable mould7 a fourth pigeon-dung, to which add gravel and marl as above, and lay two inches of entire gravel at bottom. Of OH. 9-] 2INES. 187 Of this compofition has been the mould I have ufed for years, with, perhaps, as ge- neral fuccefs as moft gardeners. But my ideas are not fo contracted as to prefume, that this may not be deviated from, in any cafe, or that it cannot be improved. It is given as what I confider to be a good medium foil for the production of the Pine ; and with the hope that the candid will apply, improve, or partly reject, ac- cording to circumftances and practical ob- fervation. SECTION V. On tie 'Treatment of the Plants the Firjl Tear *. IF the plants were ftruck (as is directed in Section III.) about the firft of Sep- tember, the bed will continue of a kindly heat till the firft or middle of November, and muft then be worked over, and about an eighth part of new tan trenched in. The * I reckon the year from the ift of September, fup- pofing^ the crop to be all cut, and the crowns and fuck- ers to be ftruck at that time. l88 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. Tf The plants will alfo have made good roots by this time, but will not generally require frelh potting; therefore, let fuch only as are any wife matted, be put into pots of the next fize immediately above thofe they are in, obferving to take off the matted part only, and put them in, balls entire. Plunge them to the brim as beforehand let them remain till the ift of March. At this time, let the bed be worked over as directed in Sedion II. ; let the plants have the mould entirely fhaken from their roots, be put into the fame pots, and plun- ged as before. Here the roots which are frefh are not to be difturbed; only cut away thofe that are wafted, and any rot- ten part about the bottom of the ftump. They will now grow vigoroufly, and will again require potting about the firft or middle of May 3 at which time alfo, let the bed be ftirred up to about half its depth, and if neceflary, let a little new tan be worked in. Put the plants into pots of about fix inches in diameter * on a medium, according * This is always to be underftood as the inlide dia- meter at top, and the particular number of inches fpeci- fied, to be a medium for the plants according to their CH. 9.] tlNES. 189 according to their fizes, with the balls en- tire ; and if any of them are matted, dif- place that part ', plunge them to the brim, at the diflance of about fifteen inches * from centre to centre of the plants, and give a little water. About the firft of Auguft they will re- quire freih potting, and if there are three compartments, being removed into the fuc- ceffion-houfe. Let the bark bed be work- ed to the bottom at this time, the plants put into pots of eight inches in diameter, plunged to the brim at the diflance of fix- teen inches on a medium, and fettled with a little water. SECTION VI. On the Treatment of the Plants tie Second Tear. A BOUT the middle of November, the bark-bed will require to be worked over to lafl for the Winter ; the plants muft not be fhifted at this time, but let any de- cayed leaves about their bottoms be twift- ed * This muil be underflood of the largeft plants -, a foot will be fufficient for the {mail ones. 19° THE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I. ed off, let a little frefh mould be laid on the furface of the pots if requifite, and re- plunge them to the brim as before. I would here obferve, that I tlifapprove of the cuftom of tying up the leaves of Pine plants at the time of fhifting or pot- ting y the intention is to keep them from being bruifed, but they are generally much more bruifed in the tying, than when left loofe. My method has been, to have a per- fon (landing oppofite me in the time of pot- ting, (performed on a ftage or table about a yard high), whofe bufinefs was to hold up the leaves in a loofe though regular manner between the arms, and prepare and hand the pots, while another hands and fets afide the plants. In this manner I have often fhifted an hundred one-year old plants in two hours. In carrying the plants through the doors of the ftove, the perfon fliould turn back foremoft, by which it is eafy to fave the leaves from injury, as in that cafe the pot goes firft, and the leaves are drawn back- wards. By the firft of March, the plants will again require fhifting, and the bark-bed trenching CH. 9.] PINES. trenching as before. Let the plants at this time be fhaked out, and replaced in the fame pots, in entire new mould, cutting oft' any decayed roots, or the end of the flumps, and twifting off a few of the bottom leaves, &c. Replunge them as before, and give a little water. About the firft of June they muft again be fhifted. Work over the bark-bed to about half its depth, and add a little frefli tan if neceftary ; place the plants, balls en- tire, into pots of about ten inches in dia- meter, plunge them at the diftance of eigh- teen inches from centre to centre, and fettle with a little water. In potting at all times, a few of the bot- tom-leaves fhould be twifted off, that the plant may make frefh roots to furnifh the furface, which alfo tends to keep it fteady in the pot. SECTION VII. On tie Treatment of ibe Plants the Third Tear. BY the middle of Auguft or the firft of September, the plants muft be put in- to their fruiting pots, and fhould be placed in THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I/ in the fruiting- ftove ; and for their recep- tion, the bark-bed therein muft be pre- pared, by trenching it to the bottom., and adding about a tenth part of new tan. iPut the plants into pots of a foot in dia- meter, plunge them to the brim, and give a little water. In potting, a fmall flick iliould be ufed to tindle down the mould ^between the ball and fide of the pot, fo as to leave no cavity, and this mould be ob- ferved at all times. About the middle of November, the bark-bed will require to be flirred to half its depth, and a little frefh tan added ; but the plants are not to be fhifted at this time ; therefore, ' replunge them to the brim again for the Winter. It is common at this time, to add a great deal of new tan, in order to keep up a ftrong* bottom heat through the Winter j than which, nothing can be more erro- neous in my idea of the matter. I have already faid, that the bottom and fuperfi- cial heat ought to correfpond at all times ^ and if the houfe is to be worked to 60° only, for the Winter, it certainly follows that a very moderate degree of bottom heat i- is CH* $.] PINES. 193 is fufficient. The temperature of the houfe being fo much reduced in Winter, is to prevent the plants from flatting too foon into fruit ; and their doing fo, is frequent- ly more in confequence of too much bot- tom heat, than irregularity in the cli- mate. By the firfl of February, (the befl fhow- ing - feafon,) the bark-bed will require trenching; and this is the only time of the year that I would advife a deviation from the rules given in Section II. From this time, the houfe is to be worked as high as 70° j and that the bottom heat may keep regular pace with the fuperficial, new tan to the extent of a fixth part may be added. Such of the plants as are not mown at this time, are healthy at the root> ajid ftand ereft and firm in the pot, fhould have a little frefli mould laid on the fur- face, by the removal of about two inches of the old. But let thofe that are already Jhown, and thofe which are anywife un- healthy, or appear Hinted, be foaked out en- tirely, and replaced writh frelh mould in N the 194 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I, the fame pots ; but none of the roots, un- lefs wafted, muft be cut away. The above, in refpe6l of the plants that are Jhown, I prefume, has never been re- commended before ; and I am happy in being enabled to do fb with confidence. It has ever been a matter to be regretted, that Pines, from the want of fun and air in the Winter months, are apt to be ftint- ed, and ihow their fruit too foon ^ and that fruit fo fliown, feldom come to be of any considerable fize or flavour ; the plants thus ftinted, being unable to nourifli the fruit $ and thefe, from the want of fun- fhine in the early months, coming far ihort in flavour to thofe matured at a later pe- riod. I fir ft tried the experiment on. a dozen of plants $ the half of which were in, and the other half paft the flower, at this time of the year. They were kept back a full month by the operation* Thofe that were paft the flower equalled, and thofe that were only in flower confiderably exceeded any of the others of their forwardnefs at the time of ihifting. Being encouraged by my fuccefs, I treated my whole flock * of CH. 9-] PINES. 195 of fruiters, in the manner as directed above, the following year 3 they were kept back to a better feafon, and fwelled their fruit to as good a fize as thofe that fhowed in February. About the firft or middle of May, let the bark-bed again be trenched to the bot-. torn, a tenth of new tan added, and the plants replunged as before ; and no further trouble is neceflary on this head. SECTION VIII. On the temperature of tie Pinny, FOR the nurfing-pits, the fires will re- quire to be lighted about the firft of October. Work fo as to keep the thermo- meter at nine at night, and feven or eight in the morning, as near to * 65 ° as pofli^ ble, till the firft of March, and then gra- dually increafe to 70°, at which continue, till fire heat is unneceflary. For the fuccelfion-houfe, light the fires as above, according to the feafon | keep N 2 at * Fahrenheit's fcale, 196 THE FORCING GARDENER. [fi. I.< at 60 6 till the firft of March, and then gradually incfeafe to 65° for the feafon. And for the fruiting-houfe, work to 60° till the firft of February, and then inftant- ly rife to 70° ; increafe gradually to 75° till the firft of March, at which work fof the feafon. Although it is not practicable to work to a degree as here ftated, yet the beft en-* deavours fhould always be ufed to do fo > and no perfon fliould have the manage- ment of the fires, who has not alfo the charge of the houfe. SECTION IX. On the Admiflion of Air to the Pinery. IN Winter, even frdfty air fhould be ad- mitted, but in a moderate degree, and always at the top of the houfe > but in frefti weather, at this feafon, air fhould be admitted to the extent that the thermo* meter may not rife to more than 5 degrees above the fire-heat medium, and that till the middle of March ; after which, and for p.] ' PINES. 197 for the whole feafon, not to more than 10. degrees. In Winter, I have frequently made fires in the morning, folely for the purpofe of enabling me to admit air, and at the fame time keep up the temperature of the houfe. Although the Pine (from its nature) does not appear to quickly feel the effeds of bad management, there are few plants in reality do it more fo ; and too due an at- tention to the temperature of the houfey efpecially in Winter, cannot be paid, the want of which is almofl fure to throw the plants into fruit at an untimely feafon. Very large portions of air fhould-be ad- mitted to the fruiting-houfe, while the fruit are ripening 3 this is not only eflen- tial to the flavouring of the fruit, but high- ly conducive to ripening and hardening the fuckers. Some fhade their pines at certain times ; but I cannot conceive this to be neceflary, except perhaps in ftriking crowns and fuckers, which, by the erroneous practice 4}f drying them, have been enfeebled. N 3 SEC- r TtfE FORCING GARDENEfc. [3. I, SECTION X. P/J Watering and Steaming the Pinery. WATER muft be given fparingly to the plants in dull weather, parti- ntularly in Winter. From about the fir ft p-f Odober to the firft or middle of March, pnce in eight or ten days will generally be fufficient, and that in very moderate quan- tities ; but from March to Odober, plen- tiful waterings will be requifite, and confii durable quantities at a time, generally once in threfe or four days, The crowns and fuckers muft have no tvater for the firft fortnight after plant- ing ; and none over-head the firft Winter, left their hearts fliould damp. Indeed I do not advife watering much over-head, -except in clear weather, in Winter. But, in the Summer months, my practice has been, firft, to give the quantity requifite to f:he root, from the fpout of the watering- pot ; and then a fufficient quantity to wet jbvery part of the leaves from the rofe. My CH. 9.] PINES. 199 My reafon for which is, that I have found the different kinds of Pines require very different quantities of water. The Queen requires a third more than the King, Anti- gua, or Brown Sugar Loaf 3 and the Mont- ferat and Gr^en or Stript Sugar Loaf, re- quire a medium quantity between the two. I fpeak of plants in an equal flate of health and fize. The fruiting-plants will require very large quantities of water, from the time they are out of flower, till they begin to colour ; which fhould then be gradually withheld, and, towards its maturity, to- tally. This will enhance the flavour of the fruit, and perfect the ripening of the fuckers. Water frequently with the drainings of a dunghill in the Summer months ; but not in Winter : as at this time the plants are in a dormant ftate, they imbibe little nourifliment \ and this kind of water caufes a flench, and produces foul air in the houie, which cannot be fo conveniently drawn off at this time as in Summer. I neither think {learning neceflary nor hurtful to the health of the Pine, except N 4 in 200 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B* I- in hazy, dull weather in Winter, at which time it is certainly prejudicial. There- fore, if there are grapes in the flove, regu- late this matter for their fakes alone, with- out referve. Soft, and well-aired water iliould be ufed at all times ; and fhould be applied either about eight in the morning, or four or five in the afternoon. SECTION XL On the Maturation and Cutting of tie Fruit. SOME kinds put forth fuckers at the bafe of the fruit ; which fhould be rubbed off as they appear. Others put forth fuckers from the root ; and, as thefe are not proper to be taken into the flock, they fhould alfo be twifled off, or other- wife deftroyed, as they appear. It is certain, that if a plant were to be diverted of all its fuckers, the fruit would grow to a much larger fize in confequence ; but as this would ultimately tend to the extirpation of the whole flock, it is by no means advifable. However, it is proper to reduce CH. p.] PINES. 201 reduce the number of fuckers on the plant to two or three at mofl. This fhould he done in the May fhifting} or when the fuckers are about half grown. Choofe the befl, and deftroy the others by breaking out their hearts. But where the increafe of the flock is the object, all fuckers, even of the root, fhould be encouraged. Some of the kinds grow on long foot- flalks, which are apt to bend down as the fruit gets heavy. Thefe fhould be fupport- ed to fmall flakes, &c. : For if the fruit fall over, the flalk will be bruifed, and its nourifhment will thereby be obflrudled. Pines lofe much of their flavour if they are fuflfered to grow till dead ripe : and where the gardener is not reflrided, he fhould always cut them by the time the fruit has attained to a greenifh -yellow colour ; and either let them remain in the heart of the old plant, or lay them on the wall-plate, &c. in the flove, for a few days afterwards. If required, Pines may be preferved in good order for feveral weeks after they are cut, in the following manner : — Cut them, as above, with the flalk as long as poffible ; put 202 THE FORCING GARDENER. £B. I. put it into a bottle of pure water .; which renew every two or three days, and at the fame time pare a thin flice off the end of the ftalk ; and place it in a temperate and well-aired room of about 60 degrees. It may be expeded here, that I fhould fay Something in refped: of the flavour of the different kinds. This I choofe to avoid, as men's palates are as different as their minds ; but I would obferve, that the Queen is molt to be depended on for a fure and regular crop. The Antiguas and Brown Sugar Loaf grow the largeil of any, and make a noble appearance on the ta- ble ; but they frequently fruit untimoufly. I have had a few plants of the Montferat which did not fruit till the fifth year) and I was then under the neceflity qf placing them in the green-houfe for a fortnight, in order to give them a check. The King is, of all others, my favourite ; and I have been at much pains to difcover the bent of its nature. I find it requires much lefs water, and a greater quantity of gravel, both in the mould and at the bottom of the pot, than any of the others. SEC- CH- 9-] PINES, SECTION XII. On tie Ihfsfts that infejl the Pine ; and low to deftroy them. THESE are, the brown and white fcaly infed, of the coccus tribe; to which may be added the ant. But, as I could never difcover that thefe laft do any harm to the plant, and as they are feldom feen if the former be not prefent; I am rather inclined to think, that their prefence is in confequence of that of the coccus, on which they feem to feed. The brown fcale does no other injury to the plant than dirtying it, and therefore is of little im- portance. But the white fcale, or bug, is of the moft mifchievous nature to the plants ; and where it abounds, little good may be expected of them. For my own part, I have been fo far happy in this refped, that I have never had it in my power to try experiments for their deftrudion, but once ; and as I was completely fuccefsful, I fliall candidly lay my method before the reader. When 204 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I When I went to Wemyfs Caftle, the whole ftock of Pines * were infeded to that degree, that I had obtained permiffion, and was determined, to throw them out ; but having built a nurling-pit, and not ha- ving immediate occafion for it, I bethought xnyfelf, and treated them in the follow- ing manner. I prepared a ilrong heat for them in the bark-bed of the nurfing-pit; ihaked out, and cut every fibre from their Toots, (whereby they were rendered the fame as fuckers at firft), not excepting thofe that were in fruit, fome of which were juft in flower ; dipped them into liquor f, the fame as is recommended in Chapter III. Section VII., excepting the turpentine , put them into pots, fix inches in diameter, and plunged them to the brim ; kept up a fire heat to about 75 degrees ; gave them but little air ; lhaded them in funfliine; and gave them plen- tiful * Thefe were in a fmall ftove in the old garden ; the new garden and hot-houfes not being then built. f This experiment gave rife to my trying it for other infe&s ; but I found it ineffe&ual for the deitrudion of the caterpillar and grub, without the addition of turpen* tine. CH. 9*] PINES. 203 tiful waterings over head with the fame mixture reduced to about half its former ftrength. I continued this treatment for two whole months. At the end of which, I again fliaked out their roots, and wafhed the whole plant in pure water ; put them into frefh pots, eight inches in diameter 3 re- plunged them into a kindly heat in the other nurfing-pit ; and treated them in all refpecls as other plants. I never faw a veftige of the bug afterwards ; and of thofe very plants were produced my principal ftock. A few indeed of thofe that had ihown fruit died ; but the others brought fuch fruit as might have been expected from plants of their fize, of any other kind. CHAP- THE FORCING GAkDfcNER, B, fo CHAPTER X. STRAWBERRIES. THIS fruit is forced in mofi gardens where there are hot-houfes of any kind ; and, being generally underftood, with equal fuccefs. I fhall therefore be very brief in treating of it here ; the only rea- fon of my doing fo at all, being to render this work as complete and ufeful as poffi- ble. ^ ,- Strawberries are brought to early perfec- tion in the pine-ftove, vinery, peach-houfe, &c. But, in my opinion, the cherry-houfe is the fitteft for its production, as the cli- mate there coincides more nearly with its nature. As a compartment wholely for its ufe, flued pits are beft adapted 3 and might be advantageoufly employed, in the latter CH. IO.] STRAWBERRIES. 207 latter part of the feafon, in the produdion of melons, &c. In any fituation, the plants fhould have plenty of free air, efpecially when fetting and ripening > and be abundantly fupplied with water till the fruit begin to colour j after which, very moderately. My method of preparing the plants for forcing is this : — In the middle of July, or firft of Augufl, (when the runners of Straw- berries out of doors are producing fine young plants), fill pots, of ten or twelve inches in diameter, with ftrong, rich loam; and plant three or four in each : fettle them with a little water ; and place them behind a wall, &c. to {hade them, till the plants have taken root ; after which, plunge them to the brim in any dry open fituation in the garden. Drefs off their leaves in Autumn ; cover them with a little litter in Winter, to pre- vent the pots from being wafted by the froft ; pinch off any flowers that may ap- pear in the Spring ; keep them clear of weeds, &c. in Summer, and in dry weather refrelh them with a little water ; and in Autumn 2O8 THE FORCING GARDENER. ffi. It Autumn drefs off the leaves, &c. as before- They will be fit for forcing any time after Chriftmas. Of all the kinds, the fear- let is to be preferred. As the plants are of no ufe after being forced, a quantity fliould be prepared ' as above, every feafon, where they are in re- queft. CHAP- '^te- II.] THE GREEN-HOUSE. CHAPTER XI. TffE GREEN-HOVSE. SECTION I. On tie ConftruRion of the Greep-Houfe* THIS compartment being an object of tafte alone, is more fubjed to diver- >fity in its conftrudtion, and that too with more propriety, than any other in the gar- den. And although the gardener (if a judge) fhould have the fole direction in building the different fpecies of forcing- houfes 5 yet the fancy of the proprietor, I fpeak in general terms, in refpecS of the Green-houfe or Confervatory, may be more fafely indulged in : flnce nothing is at ftake here in comparifon to what is in the pinery, grape-houfe, or peach-houfe. Many Green-houfes are not paved* This, in my opinion, is erroneous ; as the water that drops from the plants, in watering, caufes much damp in Winter, which is O verv THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I* very prejudicial to the health of the plants. Water fo fpilt {hould be inftantly wiped up 3 and this cannot be done where the floor is of earth or fand. The floor fhould therefore be bedded on brick-bats, flone- chips, furnace afhes, &c. Air and light, in Winter, being of the utmoft confequence to the health of the plants, the free admiflion of them {hould \be ftudied in the conilruction 3 and, at the fame time, that wherein a great deal of fire heat may not be required, which tends to draw the plants up weak in Winter and Spring. Plate VI. reprefents the plan of ail ap- proved Green-houfe, for breeding and bring- ing young plants to an early flowering ftate. But where elegance in the build- ing is fludied, and the front is to be of free ft one ; architecture and mafonry may have their full fw ay *, in any of the orders but that * The Greerj-houfe at Wemyfs Caftle is fuppofed to be the moil elegant of any in this country. The front is of freeflone : and done to -the Corinthian order, in the lighted manner. The windows are circular ; whofe •width is fix feet and an half each, and the pilafters on- ly eighteen inches. It is placed in the centre of the principal range of hot houfes, and has a very fine effect. CH. II.] THE GREEN-HOUSE. 211 that of the Gothic, without much incon- venience to the plants : but this laft, from the conftrudion of its arches, is of too dark a nature for their welfare *. SECTION II. On the temperature of the Green-Houfs. LITTLE fire-heat is neceflary here ; ex- cept in the time of a fevere ftorm, or in long-continued dull weather, to dry off damp. In the former cafe, the thermo- meter, in the night, fhould not ft and above 50 degrees at any time 3 nor Ihould it be un- der 40 degrees, as otherwife many tender plants might fuffer. In the latter cafe, it may fometimes be advifable to light pretty ftrong fires, in order that large portions .of air may be admitted : at which times, if the thermometer ftand above 35 degrees, it is fufficient. O 2 S E C- * In fome late defigns, where an elegant Green- houfe has been wift^ed as a centre-piece, I have ihewii a glafs, inftead of a flate or lead roof; a matter of evi- dent utility, as thereby the plants enjoy both a perpen* dicular and horizontal light. 212 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B, !>, y SECTION III. On tie AdmiJJion of Air to tJje Green-Houfe, AIR and light are of the greateft corir- fequence to the welfare of tfye plants y and ought to be encouraged at all times. In fome Green-houfes., it; is comr mon to covei* at night with canvas, mats, &c. in order to fave fuel in winter. Thefe fhould always be removed betimes in the morning, to admit the rays of-light as they break from the fyorizon ; and fhould never be put on at night till the twilight, to exclude them. A free and large circulation of air muft be admitted, according to the wea- ther 5 even frofty air in Winter muft not be entirely excluded, efpecially in fun- fliine. In the Spring, keep the houfe cool and[ well-aired ; otherwife the plants will grow both too tender and too rapidly, to bear the weather when fet out of doors, without being much hurt at firft : and for feveral weeks previous to the plants being put out, the CH. II.] THE GREEN-HOUS2. the houfe fhould ftand open, to its fulleft extent, both night and day. Let it alfo re- main open for feveral \teeks after taking the plants in, in Autumn, left they begin to grow, which is not advifable at this time, SECTION IV. Ca Watering the Green*Ffovfe. » ACCORDING to the Variety and nature of the plants herein contained, fo is that of the quantity and frequency of wa- tering : and hence the impropriety, nay impoffibility, of any rule being given. . The judgment and difcretion of the gar- dener muft here be entirely relied on; but a few hints may be ufeful. Plants are like infants : they will complain when hungry or thirfty ; and, like them, too, fhould be timoufly prevented by the indulgence and care of the nurfe. Is it not painful to think, that an infant fhould cry and endure pain for what it cannot exprefs ? Even fb with a plant. I have often felt much pain in feeing a plant flagged for want of that O 3 very 214 f HE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I. very element without which it could not long exift ; and the more fo, if want of at- tention was the caufe. On the other hand, an infant may be much hurt (nay, killed) by being too much glutted with food or drink, efpecially if of a bad quality. So it is with a plant* Therefore, the niceft obfervation is necef- fary, to difcover their natural inclinations $ and which ihould be treated and encou- raged in a kindly manner at all times. In Winter, and when the plants are in a dormant ftate, it- is fafeft rather to give too little than too much water ; and the contrary in fummer, and when the plants are in a vigorous growing ftate. A practice too commonly prevails, of placing a flat or faucer under the pots, e- Ipecially of plants kept in the drawing* room or parlour ; which may be very pro- per, for the fake of the furniture } but vvhich is too generally of mifchievous con- fequence to thefe ihrubs. If the-faucers were emptied fo foon as tjie fuperabundant water has filtered through the earth of the pot into them, it were well ; but if left there to ftagnate, it uiuft of neceffity ope- rate Ctf. II.] THE rate to the definition of the roots, and ruin of the plants. In the fpring, when in the houfe, and in dry weather in Summer, when out of doors, they fhould be occafionally wafhed with the hand-engine, in order to refrefh and keep the foliage clear of duft, &c. and in Winter, any water that may be fpilt in wa- tering fhould be carefully wiped up, to vent noxious damp. SECTION V. On the Compojl Mould to 6e tifed in the Green-ffoufe. WHAT I have faid in the laft Section, in refpecS of the nature and incli- nation of the plants, might with equal pro- priety be faid here. I will therefore only drop a few hints on this fubjedh Many kinds of mould are neceflary, to form the many different cempofts that are required ; and where there are a great va- riety of plants, and their culture is induf- trioufly ftudied, the following ought not to be wanting : — O 4 Glay, 2l6 THE FORCING GARDENER. [fi. IV Clay, gravel, fand, * ftrong loafti, light loam, peat-earth, mofs, marl, vegetable mould, lime, and rotten dung. Out of which, according to the nature of the plant, may be formed a compoft of any kind for its ufe. But of this, a novice cannot be fuppofed a competent judge : Some pradice, and much obfervation, are neceflary requifites. SECTION VI. General Olfsrvations* IT is neceflary to put out the greater pare of Green-houfe plants in the Summer months, in order to harden and keep them in fliape ; but they fhould not be fet out before the frofts are quite over, which is feldom before the firft or middle of June. For two or three weeks, they fhould be pla- ced behind a wall, or other fence, to fliade them from the violence of the fun, and keep them from being fcorched, or other- wife injured by the weather. After which, they may be placed in any form or fitua- tioa CH. II.] THE SREEN-HOUSE. 21^ t ion which fancy requires ; provided the* expofure is fuch, that they may enjoy at leafl one-half of whatever funfhine there is. Here let them remain till the end of September or i ft of OcSober, according ta the weather. Some of the tender kinds will require to be let ftand longer in the houfe in the Spring, and taken fooner into it in Au- tumn, than the others. The beft time for general fhifting or potting, is, when they are removed out of tfr into the houfe ; but individuals may be frefh potted at any time. — The luxurious growing kinds fhould be rather under-pot- ted, and kept in ftiffifh foil ; which will tend to check their growth. Thefe plants look much better, when of an ordinary iize, than when fuffered to grow tall, and with naked items. There- fore, they fhould be frequently headed down and trimmed } fo as to make them put forth young moots in every part, if poffible. They fhould alfo be diverted of all dead branches and leaves as they ap- pear, at all times. — Young plants of all the kinds that will, fhould be Jlruck every feafon ; THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. 1* feafon ; and the others (hould be propaga- ted by layers, budding, or grafting, in or- der to keep up a ftbck. On the ftage, they fhoulet be placed, in manner of an amphitheatre ; regular, thin, and the kinds fhould be as much intermix- ed as poflible, which gives the better ef- fe£t to the whole. They ihould be fre- quently turned round to the fun, in order to make them grow upright and equal on all fides. The flower thefe plants grow, the bet- ter ', provided they do grow^ and are heal- thy. The aphis and thrips are often very trpublefome in the Green-houfe ; which ihould therefore be frequently fumigated with tobacco, in order to deftroy them. CHAP- C. 12.] EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 21$ CHAPTER XII. EXPLANATORY OF THE PLACES, SECTION I. Explanation of f late /. FIGURE i. reprefents the plan and fedion of two nurfing-pits, on a con- ftru£Uon that will equally anfwef the ftriking of young Pine-plants and forcing Afparagus, Cucumbers and Melons, Straw- berries, French-Beans, Sallads, Flowers, &c. For the conveniency of Ihifting the tan, &c. the pit is funk to the depth of a yard below the ground level, but where the lituation is not perfectly dry, 'this is not advifable-3 therefore, if the lituation is damp, the pit fhould be built on the fur- face, and a floping bank Ihould be raifed all £20 THE FORCING GARDENER. JJB. fi all round, to the height of a yard, againft the fides and ends } and this I chiefly ad- Vife, on account of the value of the front flue, which may be fo eafily rendered fer- viceable in raifing early fallads, &c. on a well-prepared border immediately adjoin- ing thereto, as hinted in the note, page 19^ Here the furnaces are placed behind, communicating firft with the front flues^ which return in the back, fingly. The fur- face of the bark-bed is level with the bot- tom of the flues ail round, a cavity fepa- rates the front flue from the bark-bed, and confequently no apprehenfion of burn- ing need be entertained. The inner wall of the flue is a brick on edge, and for the fake of ftrength, the outer wall a brick on bed. Although in this defign the dipfions are but thirty feet long each, yet wei;e a great- er extent required, they might be made forty, as a furnace is perfedly capable of working that much, if the pit is of the fame width* One length of a fafli is fufEcient here, and they are worked in the manner of a common p, 12.] EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 221 common hot-bed, with faftenings at top tp keep them from flipping down. Fig. 2. reprefents the plan and fedion of a fingle-pitted Pine-tftove, on an improved and much approved conftrudion, either as a fruiting or fucceffion houfe, worked by two fires, and having a flied behind, which will be found a great conveniency in many refpeds 5 fuch as the keeping of moulds, tan, &c. ; and it is alfo well adapted to the cultivation of mufhrooms. The bottom of the bark-bed is level with the circumjacent ground ; and its furface is gently elevated, to the intent that the plants, when properly arranged, may enjoy an 'equal fliare of fun and light. Some pay little refpecl to this article, keeping the furface of the bed perfedly level, and pla- cing the plants indifcriminately therein £ but my method has been to arrange the plants in manner of an amphitheatre, that they mighx enjoy the rays of the fun more equally. Trellifes are placed againfl the back- wall, and upright fafhes in front, whereon to train the vines in this compartment} which is preferable to the method of train- ing 222 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. I. ing them up the rafters, as is generally pra&ifed. (See Section XII. on the Grape.) Here muft be two lengths of fafties on the roof; the under oaes fhould all be made to move either up or down, and the upper ones to move down alternately, to the ex- tent of half their lengths at leaft. It is immaterial whether the upright faflies are made to flip or^not, as by moving the un- der ones of the roof upwards, bottom air can be admitted equally well. Here alfo would fallads, &c. fown on a well-prepared border, clofe by the front wall, reap great advantage from the heat of the front flue, which in this compart- ment requires to be kept very' hot all 'the Winter and Spring months, having the greateft command on the temperature of the houfe. SECTION II. £• Explanation of Plate II. . FIGURE i. reprefents the plan and fec- tion, and alfo the elevation of the front wall of a Cherry or Fig houfe, worked by C. 12.] EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 223 by one fire, that communicates firft with the front flue, and has two returns in the back wall • which returns are made on the fuppofition of its being converted in- to a Peach-houfe at pleafure ; but while it is appropriated to the cultivation of cher- ries or figs, the back flues fhould be fhut by a damper. See Chap. III. Sed. I. The trees are trained to a trellis placed againft the back wall, and if the border is not occupied by French beans, fallads, flowers, Sec. a row r>f dwarf ftandards may be planted in front, within two feet of the flue. Two rows x>f ftrawrberries may alfo be placed on fhe^ves hung againft the up- right faflies in front. The front flue is run here in the fame manner as in the nurfing-pits, and confe- quently the fame advantage ought to be taken of it, in refped: of making a border for raifing early fallads, &c. in front of the houfe. It flands on pillars and arches, which laft ought to be made as obtufe as poffible ; but where lintels can be procured, they are preferable, and fliould not be more than fix inches thick. The pillars fliould be 224 THE FORCING GARDENER. £ B. J,, be no thicker than the length of a brick at moft, that all the fpace ppffible may be al- lowed the roots of the plants- The fa'fhes fliould be of two lengths 01* the roof here, all of which ought to be made to move, but the upright x>nes maybe made (lead. Fig. 2. reprefents the plan, fedlion, ancj -elevation of the front wall of an approved peach-lioufe, which is alfo worked by one fire, communicating firft with the front flue, and returning in the back. The front wall and front flue ftand on pillars, which ought either to be lintelled, or obtufely arched. The trees (hould be planted near to the front wall, and trained to a trellis that covers the whole roof. This is a car- dinal improvement in the culture qf early peaches and nectarines, as their fize, co- lour, and flavour, are thus greatly enhanr iced : and if an impartial coinparifqn is made, it will be found, that by training peaches in this manner, a much greater quantity of fruit may be obtained for the fum expended in ereding the houfe, than by training them on the back- wall. There fire evidently many more fuperficial feet in the C. 12.] EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 225 the roof, than in the furface of the back Vail, of any hot-houfe. The fafhes are all to be made moveabley both up and down, for the admiffion of air at top, bottom, and middle. In the plan of thefe houfes, I hrrve fhewn no back-Hied } but, if one is not erected, which in fome fitiiations may be very im- proper, the Jiock-hole mould be inclofed with a wall, arched over, and a trap-door made to go down in manner of a fhip's hold, over which, when not at wrork, may be laid a little mould, &c. for conceal- ment. But where the appearance of the furnace is immaterial, it is of no confequence whe- ther it be covered over or not 3 as, if the furnaces are built according to Fig. I. Plate V. they will be found to draw well in any fituation. Fig. 3. reprefents part of an efpalier rail on an improved conftrudion. Here the pofts are fet in blocks of {tone, which are placed under the furface of the border ; and, for durability, the ends of the pofts are burned, and run in with pitch. P SEC. 226 THE FORCING GARDENER- [&. f SECTION III. Explanation of Plate III. FIG. i. reprefents the plan and feftion of an approved Grape-houfe, worked by two fires. Here the front wall, and front flue, fland on pillars which fhould either be lintelled or obtufely arched, as above hinted. The vines are to be plant- ed within a few inches of the front wall, and trained to a trellis which covers the whole roof. Some build their front walls and flues on the furface, without fupporting them : this is by no means advifable ; as, in this cafe, there is no poffibility of effectually renewing or trenching the border without endangering the wall and flue, which oper- ation frequently becomes neceflary. In this houfe, there are no upright faflies ; the length of the roof being of the greateft importance here. In houfes where grapes are trained on the roof, and which have upright fafhes, we generally find that part but indifferently covered with wood or fruit -> C. 12.] EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 227 fruit ; befides, it alters the pitch of the roof, which in a houfe for a principal Sum- mer crop is certainly of importance. Here muft be two lengths of fafhes 5 all of which ought to be made to move at pleafure, in order to admit an equal and free circulation of air. A houfe on this conftruclion is alfo perfectly adapted to the cultivation of peaches ; than which, I know not a fitter receptacle for the production of a princi- pal crop; and, if requifite, it might be extended ten feet more in length, as the fires would command a fufficient heat for peaches. In this cafe trees are to be trained againft the back trellis to the top, and on the front one to half its height only, that the trees on the back trellis may not be fliaded by thofe on the front* Fig. 2. alfo reprefents the plan and fec- tion of a grape-houfe, which is divided, in order to afford a fucceflion of fruit. The front wall and flue ftand on pillars, that the roots may have a free range ; the plants being planted near to the front wall, P 2 and THE FORCING GARDENER. [fi. 1. and trained to a trellis fixed to the roof- beams. The fafhes are alfo to be double on the roof, and made all moveable, that air may be freely admitted in all parts of the houfe. Fig. '3. reprefents the elevation of the front wall of either houfe, being the fame, except in length. SECTION IV. the breaft of the flue being a brick on bed, will keep a more conftant heat, when once warmed, than when on edge. To prevent accidents, however, a trellis ihould be fixed, or fpars an inch thick, nail- ed againft they/r/? courfe of the flue, where- on to drefs the trees ; above which they rnay be drefled to the \vall without the leaft apprehenfion of danger. (See Chap. VIII. 5ed. XL) Fig. 2. reprefents the plan and fectionof a mufhroom-houfe, worked by one fire, and 4ivjided for the purpofe of producing- them P3 in 230 THE FORCING GARDENER. [fi, I, in fucceffion, on a conftrudion that has given fatisfadion for many years. Little fire heat being required here, the flues of both divilions are gathered to the furnace, which works them both equally ; and by the help of dampers, the one can be worked higher or lower than the other, with the greatefl facility ; or by flopping the vent clofe, the one can be worked alto- gether independent of the other. It is a matter of little importance in what fituation this houfe is placed, provi- ded the bottom of the mufhroom-beds be rendered perfectly dry, by draining, if ue~ ceflary. SECTION V. Explanation of Plate V. \i • ' j ; •'< } i -t y } ' * FIG. i. reprefents the plan, and horizon- tal and vertical fedions of a Fur- nace, on the beft conftrudion yet difcover- ed for the ufe of hbt-houfes ; and to which, from a conviction of its utility, I would ferioufly advife a ftrid: conformity. It is laid €. 12.] EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 23! laid down by a large fcale, which, I hope, will be found legible to, and underftood by every operative perfon, without the minu-* tiae of explanation. But i remains for me to give fome directions for the work- ing of it, and to defcribe that which con- ftitutes its principal difference from the common fur . ce In the common hot-houfe furnace, the grate occupies the whole fpace allowed for the fuel/; and is alfo generally placed on a level with the bottom of the flue, its entrance being thereby eaiily choaked, which occafions what is termed an ill- drawing furnace. And where the bottom pf the flue is elevated above the grate, the confequence is worfe$ in which cafe, the fire burns with fuch rapidity, that it is hardly poflible to regulate the climate of the houfe to the degree required ; befides, there is a great wafte of fuel. This is obvioufly occasioned by there being no fpace allowed for the fuel but the furface of the grate, through which, and confequently through the whole fire, the current of air muft pals into the flue j whereby it is fuddenly exhaufted, and the P4 flue THE FORCING GARDENER, [2. I. flue heated to a much greater degree than required. In thefe furnaces, the fire will not laft above three or four hours ; which, in ftormy weather, and in Winter, occafions a conftant attendance, perplexity, and the impoilibility of regulating 3, climate in the bpt-houfe. But all thefe objections are obviated by the furnace as here re- prefented. Here the grate does not oc- cupy one-third of the fpace allotted for the fuel, and, dt the fame time, is fuffi- ciently large to kindle the whole mafs > which, when kindled, will keep of a mo- derate and equal temperature for many hours together. Here, alfo, the operator is not troubled with frefh lighting the fires every day ; — I have frequently known them to keep fire for ten days to- gether without any addition of fuel. My method of regulating and working this furnace is as follows : As after the firft lighting for the fea- fon, there is always fire remaining in the t>ack part of the furnace, in kindling-up in the evening, &c. clear all the afhes from the grate, and the fpaces at the fides of O. 12.] EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 2J3 of it, and bring forward two or three fliovel-fulls of fire to the front ; behind which, throw the quantity of frefli fuel required, (hut the door clofe, and in the fpace of an hour or fo, revifit it to fee how the fire is burning. If it is burning too flow, ftir it up by applying the fire-poker (the end of which is turned up) under- neath the grate, clearing the interfaces of the bars the whole length ; but if it is burning too rapidly, open the furnace- )or a little way ; by which means the cur- rent of air will be divided, part of it paffing over, and part of it through the fuel. In the fpace of another hour, again pay it a vifit ; (having previoufly confulted the thermometer in the hot-houfe) ; and if the fire is> confuming too faft, open the furnace-door accordingly } but if too flow, * fliut it clofe altogether. This method is much preferable to that of working by dampers, it being very dif- ficult to hit on the exact proportion of the aperture to be left in the vent ; be- fides, whatever air pafles through the vent muft alfo pafs through the fuel, and that too with greater velocity than when the damper £34 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B. J, damper is not fhut at all, fince by the par- tial contraction of the vent the current will be increafed. In moderate weather, I have generally found two fires fufficient for twenty-four hours ; or rather, ftrictly fpeaking, a fire and an half: viz. a full fire, according to the feafon and temperature the houfe is worked to, about four or five in the even- ing, and half as much at nine at night. In fevere weather, three fires at moft ; viz. one at four in the evening, one at nine or ten, and one at fix or feven in the morning. But here obferve, that in this cafe, the furnace-door will generally re- quire to be opened quite, after the fire is fairly kindled ; as the flue will be kept eonftantly hot, by the flow foaking heat of the furnace. And this is none of the leaft of the advantages which this furnace has over the other, as hereby the climate of the houfe is regulated, even in the moft ftormy weather, with a much greater de- gree of exadnefs. By a fmall variation in the conftrudion of this furnace, almoft any kind of fuel may be ufed with fuccefs. Turf and fcreene4 C. 12.] EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 235 fcreened cinders mixed in equal quantities make an excellent fire, and for which there need be no alteration made in this plan ; but for turf or wood alone, the fur- nace fhould be made at leaft a third lar- ger, and the grate confiderably fmaller. Cinders, with a finall portion of coal, or charcoal of pit-coal, is certainly the kind of fuel to be preferred to all others ; on account that it caufes little fmoke, and confequently the flues keep the longer clean. It might therefore be proper, where there is a considerable extent of forcing, to colled or purchafe cinders, or to have charcoal made on purpofe. Fig. 2. reprefents the Winter pruning of three vine plants, and part of a fourth and fifth, according to my method. (See Chap. V. Setf. V.), Plate VI. reprefents the plan, fedions, and elevation of a green-houfe on an im- proved conftrudion for breeding young plants, and bringing them to an early flowering flate. See more on this fubjed in Chap. XL Seel. I, SEC- THE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I. SECTION VL General Qbjervations on tie Conjlruttion of Hot-houfcs* I WOULD recommend the greateft fub- flantiality in the conftrudion of all hot-houfes. The materials ought to be of the beft kind, the wood well-feafoned, and the workmanfliip well performed, in a plain and neat manner. The joiner ought to be very attentive in making true and hand- fome joints, otherwife he may exped them to grin in his face before the end of the Itrft year. The painter> too, ought to be careful in the performance of his part 5 if the colour is not well prepared and careful- ly applied, it will fcale off by the heat of the fun in Summer. But in order to keep the wooden part of hot-houfes in good re- pair, they require to be painted on the out- fide every fecond year, and on the infide every fixth or feventh. In glazing, I would feriouily recommend crown glafs, being far fuperipr to the com- mon 5 it admits much more light in dull fj weather. C* J2-] EXPLANATION, OF THE PLATES. 237 weather, and in funfhine allows of a larger portion of frefh air, and of keeping up the temperature at the fame time, which is cer- tainly a great objed: in forcing. Befides, it is furniflied as cheap as the common. The price of the fuperficial foot of glais varying according to the fize of the fquares,, it is of importance not to make thefe too large; for inflance, a fquare which is twelve inches on the fide, and which con- tains ju-ft a foot of glafs, is fold at ten- pence ; (I fpeak of third crown) $ whereas, two fquares eight and a half by eight and it half inches each, and which contains the fame quantity to a mere fraction, is fold at fixpence halfpenny. So that the fmaller the fquare, the cheaper is the fuperficial foot of glafs ; and this is occafioned by the fmall fquares being cut from the broke or wafte of the large ones, which, if the ma- nufacturer has no market for, he is under , the neceility of re-melting. From the above, I would not wifli to in- fer that the fquares fliould be made too fmall, as thereby the roof would not only be darkened by too many laps, but there would be too many aflragals in the faili \. and £3 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B, fi and, confequently, the faving in glafs might be more than counterbalanced by the price of the fafh-work. The panes fhould be made perfectly fquare, however, and that for the following reafon :-*-! find they ge- nerally fplit longitudinally, if not broke by accident 3 which is occafioned by the wood, &c. fwelling and contracting by the influence of tjie weather* The pane is not a whit the worfe ; and, if it was perfectly fquare at firft, is as ufeful in the fame place as ever, by being taken out and re- verfed. For this purpofe, the laps fhould be made half an inch at firft, and will now be a quarter, which is fufficient. I would here obferve, that I difapprove of the method of puttying up the laps in glazing, as thereby foul air is confined in the houfe. The hot -houfe as much re- quires a free circulation of frefli air at all moments, as the dwelling-houfe ; nay, more fo : Do not the flues make foul air in the houfe every moment they are at work ? Earthen flues, that is, flues whofe walls are of brick, and covers of tile, are to be preferred to all others 3 as they keep the ifioft couilant and agreeable heat of any, - and €.12.] EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 23$ and are alfo heft adapted to the purpofe of fteaming, where required. The foles of the flues fhould be iupported from their foundations, in order that the heat may efcape from under them, and be diffufed through the houfe. A cavity of three inches is diffident for this purpofe 3 but the wider the 1 paces between the pillarets, the better. Confequently, where pave- ment-flags can be had, they mould be ufed ; if not, large tiles fhould be made purpofely. Where fire-brick and fire-clay can be procured, all hot-houfe furnaces, and about ten feet of the flue next to them, fhould be built therewith. This is more expenfive at fir ft j but in the end will be found to be a great faving, as they will laft for many years without needing repair. Neat wooden or leaden fpouts fhould be carried under the eafing, and conducted to a ciftern placed in fome convenient part of the hot-houfe. No water is equal to that which fells from the heavens ; and a very confiderable quantity may be col- leded in this way. In 240 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B; iV In very wide houfes, it is cuftoinary to ered light wooden or iron pillars to fup- port the rafters, which are frequently a greater nuifance than ornament. This is done, not altogether becaufe of the inabi- lity of the rafters to bear the weight of the faflies ; but becaufe the rafters fall down in the middle, which they would even do- by their own weight, and obftrud the free running of the fafhes, in the admiffion of air, &c. There is a method of .obviating this matter, and rendering the pillars ufe- lefs } which, though very fimple, is per- haps not generally underftood, and there- fore may be worth the relating. Suppofe the rafter nine inches deep at either end, let it be made ten in the middle, rounding it gradually away to the extremities \ whereby, when it comes to fettle, the furface will become perfectly ftraight. This rnuft be underftood of the upper furface of the rafter and the fafli- beds, and not of the under fide 3 which laft will become roundifh as it fubfides. This is what is termed, " cambering the raf- ten" In- C. 12.] EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 24! In trellifing, iron-wire is a great im- provement, efpecially when placed on the roof, as in Fig. i. Plate III. It is not on- ly more durable than wood, but is nearly as cheap at firft, and is much lighter and neater. It mould be well painted, to pre- vent it from rufting. Hot-bed frames mould be made with fcrew-bolts at the corners, in order that they may be laid up when not at work, which is a great prefervation to them. They generally experience more decay by being tofled about and expofed to the wea- ther in Winter, than in all the time they are at work in Spring and Summer. I fliall conclude this Chapter by obfer- ving, that, where there is an extenfive va- riety of hot-houfes, it is not only more convenient, but alfo more elegant, to have them ftanding in a range, than detached from each other. In this, uniformity ought to be fludied. For inftance, if there is a green-houfe, place it in the centre ; and the other forcing houfes in pairs, right and left, correfponding with each other refpec- tively. Although 242 THE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I. Although I have made the grape and peach houfes fifteen feet high each, and the pine-Hove only twelve ; yet, for the fake of the above uniformity, the ftove might be made of equal height with them ; observing to raife the bark-bed in the fame proportion, that the pine plants may not too far from the glafs. a BOOK BOOK SECOND. THE FRUIT GARDENER. CHAPTER L ON THE MAKING OF FRUIT-TREE BORDERS j, PLANTING AND TRAINING FRUIT-TREES AGAINST WALLS, ESPALIERS, &c. SECTION I. On the ConJlruElion and Situation of Garden-Walls and Ef patters. THIS is a matter of great importance : A garden without flicker and a tole- rably good foil, fo far as refpedls the pro- duction of fruit, will remain, comparative- ly, a wildernefs, Therefore, the greatefl care is necefTary iq the choice of the fite 2 of 244 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [B. 2* of the garden ; and it is frequently very difficult to find both a flickered fituation. and a kindly foil. The laft objed, how- ever, in my opinion, ought to give way to the firft, for the following reafons : — In a complete garden, different kinds of foil are abfolutely neceflary, particularly for the fruit-tree borders ; and were the foil ever fo bad, there is no difficulty in rendering it otherwife, in the fpace pf a few months; but where Ihelter is wanting, many years, even where the foil is good, are requifite to the production of it, in a tolerable de- gree. A fine # garden is certainly a great lux- ury ; and furely nobody would" be at the expence of building and planting one, who * The garden at Wemyfs CafUe is placed in the middle of a plantation whofe trees are an hundred feet high ; for the lite of which, and alfo the fhrubbry, the whole ground was' to clear. The half at leaft of the foil now within the walls was brought from the fields. The fruit-tree borders were all entirely made, and generally cut out of the rock ; none of which are lefs than a yard deep. This was done merely for the fake of ftielter ; as there are fituations hard by, where, the foil is excellent, but witljput flicker. The garden was begun and finiihed within lixteen ninths, , CH. I.] WALL-TREES. £45 \vho would not alfo wifh to fee it in perfection, and partake of its fruits. As, then, as it is prefumed, it will never arrive to that perfedion in this country without flicker, which it may with it ; it is furely preferable to lay down a garden in a fhel- tered fituation with a bad foil, to laying it down in an unsheltered one with a good foil ; fince the one may be remedied in a few months, and the other, perhaps, not in a. lifetime. The happieft fituation for a garden is, a gently elevated hill, having a fouth, fouth- eaft, or fouth- weft afpecl, encompafled- on all fides with plantations at the diftance of about one hundred yards from its walls. In this cafe, it fhould be made a paral- lelogram, whofe breadth is equal to two- thirds of its length, (according to the fize required), extending in length from eaft to weft. This is not only the handfomeft and moft-approved form of a garden ; but it gives greater length of a fouth afped than when made fquare. If the garden is very extenfive, it fhould be .equally divided by a wall running north and fouth, Between THE FRUIT GARDENER. [B. II. Between the fore-mentioned plantations and walls, fhould be made a belt of low fhrubbry, walk, and border ; that t;he walls may be covered on all fides with fruit-trees. Brick is certainly the beft material for the conftrudion of garden- walls 5 as being both better adapted to training, and of a more kindly nature for the trees, than iloi^e : and where the wall is not entirely compofed of brick, it fhould at lea ft be lined*. But where theie cannot be pro- cured, * We have hearomuch of late, concerning the pro- priety of conftruding garden- walls of brick: I have faid above, that brick is certainly the beft material. I faid fo, in my firil edition of this work, five years ago j and from every obfervation I have made, in a pretty ex- tenfive practice, I venture to- hazard the fame opinion now. That black whin-Jlone* is the next beft material, J am fully perfuaded : not altogether becaufe that Hack abforbs heat more than any colour, having proved black bricks to be fuperior ; but that this fpecies of {tone- is lefs porous than thofe of the free-ftone kinds. I have moreover found, that although brick is more porous than flone in general, and confequently, abforbs moifture more readily j yet it alfo fooner expels moifture than Hone of any kind. Perhaps, therefore, if we wifn to ar- rive at the climax of perfection in this particular, we ought to put our garden- walls in mourning ! CH. I.] WALL-TREES. « cured, and the wall is to be built of ftone, it fhould not be built in that rough, and irregular manner, which is too preva- lent ; but fliould be neatly done in courfes of not more than fix inches, and the fur- face in fome meafure fliould be drefled with the iron, and rendered fomewhat fmooth for the trees being trained againft, without the fear of having their bark ruf- fled in windy weather* Much has been faid concerning copping of garden-walls :. fome advifing that there be no projection ; and others three, four, and fome fix, inches of projection ; in or- der to throw the drip off the foliage. All which, in my opinion, is of no importance whatever. The quantity of rain that falls on a two-foot wall is but trifling ; and does it not frequently happen, that the wind dafhes it againft the tree ere it fall to the ground, in either cafe * ? Q^4 The * A temporary copping of boards, proje&ing perhaps a foot, is certainly of infinite fervice to the trees in the fpring, while in bloom, in diverting or repelling the per pendicular ftojls ; But thefe frofts are lels hurtful than frojly winds, which fall not perpendicularly. Therefore, as a template remedy for both, I would advife the ap- plication of canvas fcreens, or nets, ?.s recommended in XI. of Chap. VIII. 248 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [B/2. The handfomeft and moft ufeful manner of copping is, to bevel off the flone to the thicknefs of two inches on each fide- of the wall, and give it as much projection 3 with a groove underneath, as is commonly prac- tifed. The moft eligible height for a garden - wall, and that which fuits the generality of fruit-trees beft, is fifteen feet ; but where uniformity is fludied, the height of the walls fhould correfpond with the extent of the garden, or rather with the apparent extent. However, I would wifh the ex- tremes to be fixed at ten and eighteen feet. I would be underftood here, as fpeak- ing of the height above the furface. And let it be obferved, that no garden- wall Ihould be founded lefs than three feet, moft kinds of trees requiring a yard of Toil. Efpaliers are not only ornamental, but ufeful, in the garden, and are much to be preferred to ftandards .; which both over- fhadow the crops, and are liable to be fliaken with boifterous winds, much to their detriment in the flowering and fet- ting.feafons. But, being neatly drefled to a rail, many kinds of apples and pears will » produce CH. I.] WALL-TREES. 249 produce as well in this manner, as if train- ed to a wall. Efpaliers are generally, with the great- eft propriety, run parallel to the walls onx the oppofite fide of the walk, and at the diftance of three or four feet from it. They are alfo run on each fide of the other prin- cipal walks which divide the garden, at the above diftance from their edges ; which, when well covered with healthy trees, form handfome avenues. For a reprefentation of part of an ap- proved efpalier-rail, fee Fig. 3. Plate II. SECTION II. On the Breadth, Depth, and Compofition of tie different Borders, for Apricots, Apples, Cherries, Figs, Pears, and Plums. * BY the rules of proportion in laying out of gardens, the border fliould be as broad as the wall is high ; and the walk half as much. In this rule there is no va- riation, unlefs the wall is lefs than twelve feet in height, which, in my opinion, ought feldom to be the cafe ; but if it is fo, the border i 25O THE FRUIT GARDENER. [fi. II. border fhould not be lefs. For efpaliers, twelve feet is the medium breadth. The depth for apricots, apples, cherries, and figs, fhould be from two to three feet , that is, three feet at the wall, and two at the walk : and for pears and plums, four at the wall, and three at the walk. If the fituation is wet, and the bottom a cankering gravel or clay, which is far from being an eligible fituation for a gar- den, drains muft be run along the front of the border to the depth of the bottom, to carry off the wet ; and a kindly bed muft be made for the foil. This is moft generally done by paving with ftone or brick, but it is attended with an enormous expence; and if the bottom is not previoufly render- ed quite dry by draining, it is of little ufe. Therefore, let the draining be carefully performed ; and pra6tife the following me- thod in making a bottom : which will be found to be 'preferable to any pavement, and much lefs expenfive.— Let the bottom be laid, in a Hoping manner, from the wall to the drain, having a fall of fix inches. Firft, lay two inches of good loam, of any kind, which fpread fmooth, CH. I.] WALL-TREES. 25! fmooth, and pafs the roller over ; then, the fame quantity of clean pit or river gravel, which alfo gently fettle with the roller j over this, lay a fecond courfe of loam, to the depth of an inch only, and likewife pafs the roller over it. All this muft be done while the materials are in a pretty dry ftate. But now the whole is to be made a little moift, and rolled till the fur- face becomes glazed ; after which, water and roll alternately till it acquires a hard, mining confiftency, and the gravel is in a considerable degree appearing through the loam. Thus will a bottom be formed, which no roots will penetrate, of a more kindly nature, and at a much lefs expence, than brick or ftone. The fitteft compofition for apricots, ap- ples, cherries, and figs, is— -three-fourths light fandy loam, and one-fourth ftrong clayey loam, mixed with a competent quan- tity of ftable-dung, cow-dung, and marl, in compoft ; the apricots and figs requiring confiderably more dung than the apples and cherries. For pears and plums — three- fourths 252 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [B. 2. fourths ftrong clayey loam., and one-fourth light fandy loam, mixed well with compoft, as above. Yet I would by no means wifh to infer, that of fuch compolition only mould fruit borders be made; it being clear to de- monftration, that trees thrive and pro- duce fruit well, in different foils : but where the above materials can be procu- red, I would recommend a near conformi- ty to this compofition, breadth, and depth. To follow this mode of preparing fruit- tree borders, it is neceflary to clafs the different kinds of trees ; that is, to keep the pears and plums by themfelves, and alfo the apples, cherries, &c. by them- felves. And this may eafily be done, al- though fome of each are placed on the fame afped: ; it is only determining on the quantity and fpace to be allowed for each kind, before preparing the border. The compoft fliould be duly prepared before planting, by trenching and mixing it well two or three feveral times. And, in order to keep the mould in heart, a little well-reduced dung, or other compoft manure, mould be digged-in each feafon ; being JH. I.] WALL-TREES. 253 being careful not to injure the roots df the trees in the operation. SECTION 111. On the different Kinds of the above Trees adapted to this Climate ; tie Afpecl they Jhould be placed in ; and the Li/lance from each other, according to tie Height of tit Wall, Uc. THE following is a lift for the walls, and the afpecl they fliould be placed in ; out of which, thofe marked thus * are to be preferred. — But obferve, I do not with to dictate in this : every one has a right to choofe the kind that/uits his fan- cy, and to place it in the fituation or afpeft in which it moft likely will fucceed. Names. Afpeft. Apples. * Golden Pippin, - S. Stone or Gogar do. - S. E. W. * Ribfton do. S. E. W. Newton do. S. E. W. * Balgon do. - - S. * Golden Rennet, - S. * Golden Ruffet, - S. Royal dp. N. E. W. Names, 254 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [B. II. Names. Afpeft. * Wheelers do. . - ' E. W. * Nonpareil do. > - S. Nonfuch, N. E. W. Hawthorndean, - - N. E. W. Apricots. * Orange, S. E. W. Roman, S. E. W. * Bruffels, - . S. E. W. * Breda, - S. E, W. Turkey, ' *> S. E. W. * More Park, - ^$*^ S. Cherries. * May Duke, v. ' . N. S. E. W. Arch-Duke, - •£-& -. S. E. W. * Holeman's Duke, . S. E. W. * Black Heart, .;, > -^ , S. E. W. * White do. , . S. E. W. Harrifon*s do. • S E. W. Kentifti, - N. E. W- * Morella, - ^ ^ • N. E. W. Figs. * Blue Ifchia, - - S. * Brown do. i' ^*- _ g. * White do. : ; ^, . ' S. Black do. ^.^ . S, * Black Genoa, ,-' y"'' S. Brown Naples, .. . S. Names. CH. I.] WALL-TREES. 255 Names. Afped. Pears. * Jargonelle, N. S. E. W Summer Bergamot, - S. E. W. * Autumn do. - - S E. W^ * Swifs do. - - S. E. W. Orange do. . S. E. W. * Ganfell's do. S. E. W. *Creffanedo. - -' S. Chaumontelle, S- *BuriedeRoy, S. E. W. Terling, S. E. W. Swan Egg, E- W. *GreyAchan, - - N. E. W. Colmar, S. E. W. St Germain's, E. W. * Green Yair, - N. E. W. * Black Worcefter, N. E. W. Cadilac. - - N. E. W. Warden, N. E. W. Plums. * White Magnum Bonum, S. E. W. Red do. - - E. W. * Green Gage, S. * Yellow Gage, S. * La Royale, S. * Jmperatriee, S. E. W. The TH.E FRUIT GARDENER. [B. 2. The following is a lift for the efpaliers ; and, as thefe are generally equally and free- ly expofed, may be placed indifcriminate- Apples. * Ribfton Pippin. Kentifh do. * Oflin do. Englifh Codling. * Kentifh do. * Royal do. Dutch do. * Royal RufTet. Wheelet's do. * Summer Pearmain. * Royal do. * Loan's do. Green Leadington. * Grey do. Yellow do. * Summer Queening. * Winter do. * Yorkihire Green. Nonfuch. * Hawthorndean. Lady Wemyfs. * Norfolk Beafing. Strawberry. Pnjfsmouth. Cherries. * May Duke. Black Heart. * Kentifh. * Morella. Pears. * Crauford. * Jargonelle. * Yair. * Black Worcefler. * Cadilac. Warden. * Achan. Moorfowl Egg. Drummond. Summer Bergamot. Scotch do,. Lammas. Plums. * Orlean. * White magnum bomun. Red do. do. Drap d'Or. * Wine Sour. * Damafk.* Out of which, thofe marked thus * are to be preferred. The CH. I.] WALL-TRfeES. 25? The following is what I efteetn a proper diflance at which the abovet trees ihould ultimately (land on the wall : but, as they will be many years in filling their fpaces, and as in moft kinds a few crops may rea- fonably be expeded before that time, ri- ders of cherries, pears, and plums, may be placed between them* For a wall twelve feet high : — the ap- ples to be placed at twenty ; apricots, thir- ty ; cherries, twenty ; figs twelve ; pears thirty ; and plums, twenty feet apart. And for a wall fifteen feet high— apples, fif- teen ; apricots, twenty-four ; cherries, fif- teen; figs, ten$ pears, twenty-four 3 and plums, fifteen feet apart. And fo in the fame proportion for walls of any height from ten to eighteen feet, which, as I have already hintfed, ought to be the ex- tremes. For efpaliers :— apples, thirty ; cherries, twenty ; pears, thirty ; and plums, twenty feet apart. But thefe fhould be planted at double thicknefs, placing two of a kind R together, 258 THE FRUIT GARDENER. £B. 2-» together, that, in thinning them out, any of the kinds may not be extirpated. Maiden trees, of all the kinds, ought to be preferred ; and the feafon for planting isf any time from the firft of December to the firft of March. The Apples fliould be chofen of fuch as are worked on crab flocks raifed from feed, and the Pears on free flocks, alfo raifed from feed. Sucker-flocks of any kind are to be rejected, on account that they caufe the plants to run much into unprofitable wood. The plants of all the kinds fliould be clean, healthy, and well-rooted. The pits fliould be filled in with rich light mould, and that for all the forts with- out exception 3 as all trees are found to ftrike root moft kindly in light foil, al- though their nature may require a very different kind afterwards. Care fliould al- fo be taken not to place them too deep; if the ftem is covered two inches higher than it was when Handing in the nurfery, it is fufficient. It fliould be placed two or three inches clear of the wall; for, if placed too near. CHi I.] WALL-TREES. 259 .near, that is, touching it, it has the effed: of throwing the branches forward when they come to be of ftrength ; fo that they are with difficulty kept properly drefied. To fay that the roots of the plants are in- jured more or lefs by its being placed a few inches nearer to, or farther from the wall, would be abfurd ; and yet this has been advanced. Let them be fettled with a little water, and duly attended to with that element in dry weather, the whole of the firft Sum- mer. Alfo, let a little mulch be laid round each of them; which will tend to keep their roots from being injured by the froft in Winter, and the early part of Spring, and alfo from being fcorched by the fun in Summer. SECTION IV. On Training the different Kinds of the above Trees on Walls and Efpalicrs. I. APPLES. THHESE trees may be train- JL ed either in the horizon- tal or fan manner, with facility. But I R 2 prefer 260 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [B. 2* prefer the fan manner, not only for them> but for all other trees planted againft walls ; for thefe reafons, viz. We can make the tree fill its fpace fooner by one-third of the time, and can alfo fupply the lofs of a branch with greater eafe at any period of its age. But for Apples on efpaliers, or on very low walls, the horizontal method of training is to be preferred ; as the height of the efpalier, &c. will not admit of fan training in a handfome manner. I {hall, therefore, firft treat of fan-training, as for walls, and then of horizontal training, as for efpaliers. Jan-Training. — After planting, let each of the fhoats be headed down to three eyes, in order to make them pufli ftrong, and furnifh the wall from the bottom; and when the young Ihoots have grown fo long as to admit of being laid in, lay one on each fide, that is, the loweft, perfectly horizontal, and divide the intermediate ones equally at the diftance of ten or twelve inches. In the Winter, fliorten them all back to from one-half to two- thirds CH. I.] WALL-TREES. 261 thirds of their lengths, according to their ftrength. Next feafon, they will pufh vigoroufly. The undermoft fhoots on each fide are to be continued in a horizontal diredion, as before ; and the others fhould be laid in at the diftance of from nine to twelve inches, according to their ftrength, and kind of the trees, fome growing more grofs, both in wood and foliage, than others ; and, in Winter, they are to be fhortened back about one-fourth of their lengths on a me- dium. Whatever laterals appear on them at any time ihould be inftantly pinched off. Next feafon they will pufh ftrong moots ^ and many of the kinds will begin to fhew fruit-fpurs on the laft year's wood. They will alfo pufh many fuperfluous fhoots ; which mufl be pinched off at the fecond joint, by the time they have grown to- the length of eight or nine. Some rub off thefe as they appear > but as this frequent- ly ruffles the bark, and thereby injures the tree, it is better to pinch them-as above in §ummer, and cut them clean off in the R 3 Winter 262 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [fi. W Winter pruning : but if they pufh a fecond time in the courfe of the Summer, they are, in that cafe, to be rubbed off as they appear. Continue the undermoft flioot on each fide in the fame horizontal direction, which is to be invariably done till the trees meet each other ; and lay in the reft at the di- ftance of twelve inches on a medium. And, in the Winter pruning, ftiorten the ftrongeft and fartheft extended (hoots only a few inches each, and lay the others in at full length ; unlefs it is neceflary to fhorten fome of them a little, for the purpofe of making flioots to fill any thin part. This is forthwith to be done in the Win- ter prunings, never fhortening for any pur- pofe but that of filling the wall regularly ; arid the medium diftance at which the branches are tq be placed from each other, is nine inches in the fmall, and twelve in the large growing kinds. At this time, alfo, are the fuperfluous fhoots, that were produced and Ihortened in Summer, to be cut neatly off; unlefs there be fruit-fpurs formed, or forming on their under parts, which CH. I.] WALL-TREES. 263 which in many ,of the kinds frequently happens. Next feafon, moft of the kinds will pro- duce a few fruit, and will forthwith make more moderate fhoots and plendfnl fruit- fpurs : and muft henceforth be treated in all refpeds as for lafl year ; obferving to drefs them neatly and regularly to the w 11 at all times, and divert them of the fu; erflu- ous and lateral fhoots, as above directed. Horizontal Training. — Young trees which have three (hoots are to be preferred ; but if there are but two, the weakefl muft be cut clean away, and the other retained, whereof to form the tree. But, for the fake of brevity, I will fuppofe the tree con- fifts of three fhoots. After planting, let the middle (hoot be headed down to nine inches ; and let the two fide ones be laid in at full length, in a horizontal and parallel direction, within nine inches of the ground, if poffible; and if their extremities are any wife bruifed, fhorten them back a few inches, that they may pufh freely ; but this is never .to be repeated unlefs in like circumftances. R 4 When THE . FRUIT GARDENER. [fi. 2,, When the young flioots are of fufficient length, train that from the extremity of the principal Item or leader in an upright, and the two immediately below it, in a hori- zontal direction, right and left, and paraL- lel to the two undermoft branches of laft year ; which, as the item was headed down to nine inches, will alfo lie at or about the lame diftaijce refpe&ively. Produce the young fliqots from the extremities of laft year's branches, in the fame diredion \ and pinch off all the others, both on thefe and the ftem, as dired-ed for fan training. As the horizontal moots are never to be ftiortened unlefs their extremities are brui- fed by accident or. hurt by the froft ; and as all fuperfluous and lateral fh.opts fliould be treated in manner as directed abo^e-j it may be unneceflary to fay more of thefe. J ihall therefore confine my obfervations to the ftem or leaden As the branches are to. be produced from the ftem, and laid in (if poilible) at the diftance of nine inches on a medium ; and as, in mofl kinds, more than two pairs can- not be produced each feafon without run- ning the rifk of irregularity 5 the ftem CH. I.] WALL-TREES, 265 mail be headed down to eighteen or twen- ty inches, year by year, till the hori- zontal branches arrive at the top of the rail, &c. But this muft be underftood of apples in general, and that too when they are in a moderate ft ate of health and vi- gour} for fome kinds, and indeed any, when in a luxuriant ftate, will generally produce three pairs of fhoots on the ftem ; which, in that cafe, muft be left from thirty to thirty-fix inches in length. Great care mould be taken, when lay- ing in the horizontal fhoots wrhich ifliie from the ftem, th^t they be not fplit away in the operation, I generally lay them in the manner they will beft lie, till they are fufficiently hardened to bear being laid in, in their proper poiition; and I likewife generally lay in or referve all the fhoots that ifTue from the ftem, till that time, (whether needful or not),*in order to guard againft accidents. \ II. APRICOTS. — As thefe trees bear both on fpurs and the young fhoots of laft year, fan-training is certainly to be preferred. Therefore, after planting, let them be headr ed 266 THE FRUIT GARDENER, [fi, 2, ed down, and treated the two firft years, in all refpects as directed above for apples } laying the fhoots in at the di (lance of nine inches on a medium. But this is to be un- derftood of the principal branches : for when thefe trees^arrive at a bearing ftate, they frequently make fruit-fpurs, or fhoots of a few inches in length 3 which may al- fo be fufFered to lie at the diflance of a few inches from each other. They alfo fre- quently make their fruit-fpurs in clufters r in which cafe, they are to be neatly thinned out; generally referving thofe which lie nearefl to the wall, that the fruit produced on them may be benefited by its influence. Indeed, although fpurs which (land at a di- ftance from the wall frequently produce bloom in abundance, it is feldom the fruit fets or comes to maturity on them : and therefore they may be confidered as fuper- fl-.ious fhoots, and thinned away with them in the Winter primings ; unleis they are fufficiently long to admit of being laid in, and the fcarcity of bloflbm on the trees renders this advifable. The breuft wood produced in Summer is to be fhortened back to two or three joints, CH. I«] WALL-TREES. 267 as direded for the apples ; and alfo neatly cut away in Winter ; unlefs bloom appear on them, which frequently happens if the tree be not in too luxuriant a date. In pruning of Apricots, the greateft care fhould be taken, at all times, to make clean and handfome wounds ; and alfo to prevent bruifes of any kind, either by the knife, hammer, or by nails bearing againft the branches, which are of much injury to the trees, they being apt to canker and gum at the flighted bruife, III. CHERRIES. — Thefe fhould alfo be trained in the fan manner on the wall: and as all the kinds, except the Kentifh and Morella, are apt to produce large cluder- ed fpurs when of age, and in a proper bearing ftate, they are to be allowed a diftance of from nine to twelve inches be- tween the principal branches ; obferving to lay them in, and fhorten them in the manner as diredled above for apples. The bread wood, laterals, &c. are alfo to be treated in the fame manner at all times ; and the fame care is to be obferved in re- fpedl of wound? and bruifes as hinted above 268 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [B. 2, above for the apricots ; Cherries, and in- deed all kinds of ftone fruit, being apt to canker and gum at every bruife. The Kentifh and Morella kinds, bearing principally on the young fhoo^s of laft year, they ftiould be trained much in the manner of peaches, (See Chapter VIII. Sedion IV.) and are to be laid in at the diftance of fix inches on a medium, diveft- ing them of all- lateral and? ; fuperfluous Iho.ots, as above. On efpaliers, I have feen the attempt made to train Cherries horizontally, but I never faw it accomplished hafldfomely ; and would therefore advife fan-training, as above. IV. FIGS. — Thefe trees, bearing on the youflg wood of laft year, being naturally apt to run upwards, and put forth fuckers from the root annually, fhould be trained in an upright manner refembling that of the vine. The foliage being very large, they require to be laid in at the diftance of a foot or fifteen inches between the young fhoots : and as the diftance between thefe is the principal object here, it is immate- CH. I.] WALL-TP.EES. 269 rial how near they lie to, or even if they cover or crois the old ones. - Thefe trees are apt to grow to the extremities, and confequently run into naked branches in the centre ; a fucceffion of young flioots from the bottom fhould therefore be con- itantly encouraged. When the trees arrive at a bearing ftate, \vhich they generally will do in the courfc of four or five years, and as they (how the fruit which is to be ripened next year on the (hoots of this ; let fuch as are not wanted for furnifhing any part of the tree with wood, be Hopped about the middle or end of July : which will caufe them to mew and fet their fruit fooner, and there- Jby be better eftabliihed before the Winter frofts fet in, than when the fhoots are fuf- fered to grow late in the feafon. On the open wall, this is of beneficial effed:, though unnecefTary in a forcing-houfe. V. PEARS.— Thefe, of all others, do Left, and make the handfomefl trees, in the horizontal manner ; but they will fill their fpaces fooner by a third, if not one half of the time, by fan-training, which is certainly 270 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [fii & % tertainly a great objedt. On efpaliers, however, horizontal training is moft advi- fable ; and alfo on very low walls. As I have been pretty explicit on both thefe methods in the firft head of this fec- tion, it will be unneceifary to repeat them here. I fhall only, therefore, briefly re- mark any particular difference to be obfer- ved in the training of apples and Pears in either manner. Moft kinds of Pears being apt to make longer fpurs than apples, the branches are to be allowed two or three inches more of room between them refpedively : and as their fpurs are alfo apt to grow more clu- ftered than apples in general, thefe are to be more carefully thinned in aged trees , obferving to retain fuch parts of them as lie neareft to the wall, in that operation. As Pears are not fo apt to fhow fruit- fpurs on the bottom-part of the breaft- Ihoots fhortened in Summer, as apples, thefe are generally to be cut clean off in the Winter pruning ; thus giving the more room to the real fpurs, and preventing a profulion of ufelefs and fuperfluous fhoots from rifing the following feafon. This matter CH. I.] WALL-TREES, 27! matter is but too feldom attended to in ge- neral. As mod kinds of Pears (efpecially if in proper foil) grow more luxuriantly when young than apples ; in fan-training, the leading branches, which require to be fhortened for the production of flioots to fill the wall, may be left at greater lengths in general $ and in horizontal training, the ftem or leader may alfo be left ten or twelve inches longer in Pears than apples, as they will generally produce a pair more of horizontal moots from it. The Jargo- nelle, however, ought to be an exception from this rule 3 as I have feldom found it produce more than two pairs of moots from the ftem, in a regular manner, an- nually. VI. PLUMS. — Fan-training is alfo to be preferred, for the reafons already given; neverthelefs, they will make very hand- fome trees in general the horizontal way. In either cafe, they are to be treated much as already hinted ; laying in the branches of the fmall growing kinds at the diftance of feven or eight inches, and the others at nine or ten apart. The f • ' 1-; . 7 £72 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [j8. 2* The fpurs in moft kinds are apt to grow in clutters, and at a confiderable diftance from the wall ; which (hould be thinned in the manner as directed for the apricots, as being nearly allied to them in their na- ture. In- fan-training, the leading branches for the production of fhoots to fill the wall, will generally require to be fhorten- ed about half their lengths, efpecially in the fmall kinds ; and in the horizontal way, more than two pairs in the fmall kinds, and three in the others, will feldoin be produced from the ftem annually } which, of confequence, muft be fhortened to about fixteen or eighteen inches in the one cafe, and to about twenty-four or thirty in the other. SECTION V. General Obfervations on Draining and Pruning, and oft ^Thinning and Gathering the Fruit, &c* THE health and beauty of a wall- tree depends more on the regular arrange- ment of the young, tharf of the old wood < and confequently, fhould be nea?tly and regularly CH. I.] WALL-TREES. 273 regularly drefled at all times ; but more particularly in the latter part of the fea- fon ; that every advantage may be taken in ripening, not only the fruit, but the fhoots and fpurs for the production of a crop the following feafon. We too frequently fee thefe trees to- tally neglected in the latter part of the feafon , particularly apricots, cherries, plums, &c. } which, when the crop is ga- thered, are generally no more thought of, or attended to : but this is very errone- ous, as moft of thefe trees grow a deal af- terwards ; and if the extremities of the flioots are not kept dreft to the wall at this time, they will neither be ripened for the production of a crop, nor for en- during the winter frofts. Great care fhould be taken that no part of the branches be bound with the fhred or tie, and that the heads of the nails do not bear againft them ; which, if they do, are fure to induce canker. My rule is, to drive the nail rather in an oblique direc- tion, inclining its head from the branchy and to allow as much room in the fhred or tie as will at leaft admit another (boot S of ^ ^ 274 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [B. 2* of the fame fize along with it ; and alfo, never to drive nor fiiffer a fingle nail or fhred to remain on any part of the tree, that is not abfolutely wanted* It is common to tie efpalier trees with willow Ihoots ; but I prefer tying with ftrands of frefh matting. For I have of- ten feen branches much injured by the willow fhoots, when bearing hard againft them, or if negleded to be cut away in the Winter pruning ; thefe being of a hard wirey fubftance, and lafting over year. But in ufing matting, no danger of this kind need be apprehended ; as the ftrands are not only foft and pliable, but will not laft above a year. Winter pruning and dreffing fhould be performed in good time, that is, before the buds begin to vegetate ; otherwife they are in danger of being rubbed off in the operation. In ordinary feafons^ apricots, cherries, pears, and plums, fhould be finifhed by the firft, and apples and figs by the end of March. In horizontal training, it frequently happens that the buds on the ft em do not break regularly ; and fometimes a bud will CH. I.] WALL-TREES. 275 will remain in a dormant ftate the firft, and pufh the fecond year; which if it does not, make an incifion crofswife to the depth of the bark, immediately above it : it will not fail to pufh the following feafon. In what is termed a bark-bound tree, (in which cafe, it has a fickly appearance in general, hard and fhrivelled barkj makes weak fhoots, with the leaves of a languid colour, and the ftem and branches frequently covered with mofs), it is a good pradice to rip the ftem lengthwife, to the depth of the bark : but this is to be performed on apple and pear trees only ; ftone-fruit, from their aptnefs to gum, not admitting of this operation with propriety. When a tree is in too luxuriant a ftate, and does not fet to fruit, the knife fhould be ufed fparingly, keeping it rather thick of wood (but regular) for a feaibn or two ; and at the fame time let a trench be dug round its ftem, at the diftance of four or five feet from it, fo as to cut quite through all its roots. The check, which it thereby receives, will generally throw 82 it 276 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [fi. 2* it into a bearing ftate in the courfe of a feafon or two. In pruning, be careful to make clean and handfome wounds at all times ; ufing the knife chiefly ; but the faw in amputa- ting ftrong branches, and dreffing the edges of the wound, thus made, fmooth with the knife. In lopping branches from the ftem, or twigs from -larger branches, cut always in to the level of the bark, leaving no flub. And, if from the pofi- tion of the wound on large branches, or on the ftem, particularly in aged trees, there is reafon to doubt its healing eafily, let it be laid over with a little tar ; which afterwards keep in a found ftate, in order to exclude moifture till the wound is quite healed, and fkinned over with frefli barfc. It frequently happens, that after much pains has been taken in rearing and train- ing a tree, it turns out to be of a very dif- ferent kind from that for which it was planted ; which is a great difappointment, as perhaps it occupies a fpace upon a much better afpeft than it deferves ; and were it to be removed, would occafion an unfightly CH. I.] WALL-TREES. 277 unfightly blank on the wall for feveral years, until a young tree filkd its place. But, to remedy this, at leaft in a contfder- able degree, it is more advifable to ingraft or inoculate (according to the kind of tree) proper kinds upon its branches: in a horizontal-trained tree, near to the ftem ; and in a. fan-trained tree, towards the bot- tom and lower extremities. On the Hems or branches of trees which have become naked of {hoots through age? buds or grafts may be inferted, in order to reftore them to regularity ; but if the tree is not in a healthy, clean ftate, this labour would be in vain. In fome cafes, if the tree in queftion be of a good kind, It may be more advifable to head it down entirely, that a flock of wood may iflue from the bottom, afterwards to be trained regularly : obferving, however, not to cut below the original bud or graft. In this variable climate, our profpect of a crop is frequently blafled in Spring, while the trees are in bloom and fetting, efpecially in apricots, cherries, and plums. To fecure which, canvas-fcreens being ap- plied, or nets fufpended, as direded in S 3 Chap. 278 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [B. 2. Chap. VIII. Sed. XL will be found of in- finite advantage, and preferable to the common method of fcreening with fir- boughs. Apples, apricots, and pears, in favour- able feafons, are apt to fet more fruit than the tree is able to fufcain, or ihould be al- lowed to produce : the fruit ftiould there- fore be regularly thinned ^ the apples and pears when about half grown' and the apricots when the ftoning is fairly over. But, as no fixed rule can be given, for this operation, the difcretion of the gardener muft be relied on ; and the health and vi- gour of the trees muft .determine to what extent it is to be performed. In the More Park apricot, however, a fruit for every ten or twelve inches fquare of the fuper- ficial content of the tree, when in a heal- thy ftate, will be a good medium. This, by many, is efteemed the richeft of all (lone-fruit, when Well ripened, and ate off the tree. What I have faid in Chapter VIII. Sec- tion VJIL, in refped: of gathering peaches and nectarines, will equally apply here in refped of apricots and plums. ^ Jargonelle CH. I.] WALL-TREES. 279 Jargonelle pears, and fome of the kinds of bergamots, fhould be ate off the tree, or at leaft within twenty-four hours after be- ing pulled, as they lofe much of their fla- vour by keeping. The other kinds of ap- ples, and pears in general, fhould not be gathered till their pips are of a blackifh- brown colour, and they fhould then be laid in the (lore-room ; which, for that purpofe, fhould be fitted up with fhallow fhelves, fo as to admit of but one courfe of the fruit, and room for the hand. Hence it would appear, that I difapprove of what is termed jw eating of thefe fruits: — they generally retain an ill flavour ever after. The greatefl care fhould be taken to pre- vent bruifes in thefe fruits, and they fhould be frequently looked over and picked. The ftore-room fhould alfo be kept \vell aired, and fecured from froft. S 4 SEC- 28O THE FRUIT GARDENER. [fi. 2, SECTION VI. On tie InfeBs which generally infefl Wall-Trees; and &QW to dcjiroy them. THESE are, the green-fly, red-fpider, caterpillar, grub, ear-wig, wood-loufe, and wafp. The green-fly 5s eafily deftroyed by a fumigation of tobacco ; but this is fome- times performed with difficulty on operc walls. My method is this : — Sprinkle the tree gently with water from the engine ; then fumigate for the fpace of eight or ten minutes with the bellows, when the vermin will be quite fick j and afterwards give a hearty wafhing with the engine ; by which means they are daihed to the ground, which dig over in order to bury them. This operation {hould be performed in a calm morning or evening ; otherwife the fmoke is immediately diffipated, and, of confequence, is the lefs effectual. The red-fpider and grub are kept under with the engine in Summer, and effectually deftroyed in Winter by the liquor, fee Chap. III. Sett. VII.., which is to be ap- plied CH. I.] WALL-TREES. plied in a milk-warm ftate with the fpunge, as there direded. It muft alfo be applied, at leaft a month before the buds begin to vegetate. For enfnaring and catching the ear-wig and wood-loufe, the following is my me- thod : — Take a quantity of water reeds or ftrong wheat ftraw, and cut them into lengths of five or fix inches ; place them all over the furface of the tree, between the branches and wall, allowing two or three to every fquare yard ; alfo lay a quan- tity on the ground at the bottom of the wall. In thefe the infects take flicker fo foon as the morning fun appears on the furface of the wall ; which, in an hour or two after, are to be blown into a bottle ha- ving a little water in it, replaced as before, and this iaould be repeated every morning in the fame manner till they are quite era- dicated ; which will generally be very fooa accomplifhed, as they may be taken in vaft quantities in this manner. The only fure method of keeping the wafps under, is by deflroying their nefls * ; but in rugged and rocky places this is not eafily accomplilhed. They are alfo enfna- red * See Chapter V. Settlon X. 282 TH£ FRUIT GARDENER. [B. .2. red in great quantities by placing phials filled with honey and water, or fugar and finall beer, againft the walls ; alfo, by fuf- pending fmall flicks covered with bird- lime, .over which a little honey and water is poured at times. The green-fly preys moft on the peach, plum, and cherry ; the red-fpider on the apple, cherry, peach, and plum ; the grub on the apricot and cherry, and fometimes on the apple and pear ; and the ear- wig, wood-loufe, and wafp, on the fruits of -all. Walhing wtth the garden engine is of infinite fervice to wall-trees, and fhould be frequently performed in dry weather in the Summer months : it both refreflies, and keeps the trees clear of duft, &c., and alfo tends, in a great meafure, to fupprefs in- fedts of all kinds, particularly the red-fpi- der. Wafhing the ftem and branches of trees, which are anywife moiled, with foap-fuds and fulphur, is alfo of great utility, and fhould be performed in Winter or early in the Spring vprevioufly rubbing off the mofs \vith the hand, and brufhing the branches clean with a brulh, fuch as is ufed for cleaning of plate, &c. CHAP- CH. 2.] ORCHARDS. 283 CHAPTER II. CULTURE OF ORCHARD FRUITS. o SECTION I. Cn tie SITUATION for Orchard?. RCHARDS in this part of the united kingdom (Scotland) are an objedt of trivial concern at prefent ; for, excepting thofe of Clydefdale, fome in the Carfe of Cowrie, and a few near Jedburgh, there are none of any note. It is certain, we (in Scotland) need not exped: to c6pe with our fitter country, in this refpedt; but it is equally certain, there is a poffibility of imitating, and even nearly approaching her, in the productions of the Orchard ; or at leaft fo far as to anfwer the confumpt of the country, in good feafons. The productions of thole in Clydefdale, which in fome feafons is aftonifliing, are a proof in point, and thefe are neither ex ten* live, nor (excepting one) even kept in to- lerable 284 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [fi. 2, lerable order. They are, however, capable of very great improvement, and with little expence and labour might be rendered pro- dudive in treble or quadruple proportion, on an average of years. Their fituations, and indeed the whole bank of the river, from the Falls of Clyde to Hamilton, and thence to Bothwell Ca- ftle, &c. are fo peculiarly adapted to the purpofe, that, I am convinced the proprie- tors could not occupy their land in any other way that would give a fourth of the return. The banks are in general fteep, and in many places inacceffible to the plough ; and thefe veryjleeps are beyond all other fituations defirable for that pur- pofe, efpecially thofe on the north fide of the river, being expofed to the fun, the banks reflecting his rays, and rendering the fituation in fome degree as if the trees were planted againft a wall. In this tradl we find many acres cover- ed with broom, bramble, brufhwood, &c. which at prefent do not bring the proprie- tors, perhaps, ten millings an acre 3 and which are fo admirably fituated, and the foil fo congenial, that were they convert- ed CH. 2*] ORCHARDS. 285 ed into orchards, might, in a few years, bring fifty pounds on an average *. This peculiarity of fituatioii is not con- fined to Clydefdale. There are many o- ther dales in Scotland equally well adapt- ed to the purpofe. But dales, and thofe through which a river meanders, are to be chofen in preference to all other fitua- tions : Bccaufe, firft, their banks afford flicker from the winds by their frequent windings and turnings ; fecondly, their fteep fides confine and refled: the rays of the fun, whereby the climate is rendered more mild and warm than in other fitua- tions y and, thirdly, there is a conftant va- pour or effluvia arifing from the river, which is particularly grateful to the trees while in bloom and fetting ; and alfo tends to foften the climate at that feafon of the year, * There is a proof of more than I fay, on the fpot lately improved by Mr Harvey of Brownlee : it is a very fteep bank, was overrun with bramble, briar, &c, and does not contain above an acre and an half, the far greater part of which is not yet arrived at a full bearing Hate i yet, this fpot for fome years back, has produced from feventy to one hundred pounds a year to the pro- prietor, who, as an improver in this, as well as many other refpe&s, is a Gentleman of much merit. 285 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [B. 2» year, which is frequently inimical to the fetting of fruit in other fituations. In this cafe, the moft defirable fitua- tion is the North, Eaft, or Weft bank *, from the verge of the river (including the haugh or holm, if fuch there be) to within a few yards of the termination of the bank, more or lefs according to its fteep- nefs, fo that the trees, when full grown, may be within its level, and thereby be fcreened from the Northern and other pre- vailing winds. The haugh or holm on the oppofite fide of the river, and alfo the banks, if not very fteep, in many cafes may anfwer very well ; but if the bank is very fteep, and the foil not particularly inviting, its occu- pation as an orchard will be attended with inferior fuccefs. Many dales without a " river meander- " ing," may alfo prove excellent fituations ; and many fpots in any dale may prove more fo than others ; which may be occa- fioned by the fuper-excellence of foil, con- geniality of fubfoil, peculiarity of expo- fure, * Suppofing the river to run parallel to any of thefe afpe&s, or to any afped from Eaft to WefL CH. 2.] ORCHARDS. 287 fure, eafe of accefs, happinefs of flicker, &c. But, Unjbeltcred plains are fituations, where fuccefs in rearing and bringing orchards to a ftate of maturity, will ever be preca- rious in this country. SECTION II. On tie SOIL for Orchards. THE foil mojl properly adapted to apples, is a brown loam of a middling tex- ture, and which is at leaft eighteen inches deep, over a bottom of dry fand, gravel, or foft clay j in which they are found in the higheft health, and of greateft durabi- lity. Neverthelefs, they will do well in many foils, fuch as fandy loams, gravelly loams, chalky loams, clayey loams, &c. which are of various depths, and which are alfo incumbent on various fubftrata, as chalk, limeflone, dry rock, fand, clean gravel, &c. But if the bottom is wet, and the fubfoil a till, retentive clay, or irony gravel, clay, &c. little good may be expeded 288 THE FRtJIT GARbENER. JJB. 2. expected of them for any length of time, if the upper foil be ever fo good. That moft properly adapted to Pears, is at ftrong clayey loam, a yard in depth, over a bottom as above. The fame exceptions as above, are alfo to be confidered. Cherries and Plums are of little import- ance compared with Apples and Pears, be- ing of no ufe whatever, unlefs there is an immediate confumption for them, from the circumftance of their not keeping. The foil which anfwers Apples and Pears, will anfwer Cherries and Pluiris refpedively, and equally well. It would be vain to attempt rearing an orchard, where the bottom is not either naturally dry, or is previoufly rendered fo by draining ; and this is to be obferved in all cafes and fituations whatever. This reflection more naturally occurs in refpecS of flat or hollow ground, than otherwife } but it is as frequently necef- fary on fteep banks, which are often inter- fperfed with fpouty or fpringy fpots, oc- cafioned by the different ftrata of which the higher ground is compofed. To enr- ter, however, into a fyftematic mode of draining, CH. 2.] ORCHARDS* 289 draining, would be foreign to the fubje6t here 3 and the reader is referred to Mr Elkington's, as explained by Mr John- Hone 3 being at once the moil effectual and leaft expenfive method* SECTION III. On the Kinds of MANURE Jit for Orchards. ORCHARD ground fliould be moderate- ly enriched with the kinds moft pro- perly applicable to the foil. Compoft is to be preferred to iimples. If the foil is of a cold nature, a compoft of lime, ftable-dung, pigeon-dung, foot, afhes, &c. is to be advifed ; if light and hot, cow-dung, hogs-dung, loamy marl, pond-mud, fcouring of ditches, &c. 3 or, as fimples, any of the kinds which is beft calculated to corredl or enrich the foil. Marls are eminently ufeful, and, in gene- ral, are to be preferred to lime, being lefs apt to canker the roots of fruit-trees. T SEC- 290 THE FRUIT GARDENER. SECTION IV. Of tie KINDS of Orchard Fruits. THE kinds in cultivation at prefent, in my opinion, are too numerous. They are alfo very indiftindl, being con- fufed and mifconftrued, by the many pro- vincial names which are given for the fame fruit. He who plants an orchard, has the undoubted right of indulgence in this refped. The following lift is given as the one which I would adopt, were I in the predicament, preferring thofe mark- ed # viz. * Apples. Apples. Ribfton Pippin. Kentifh Rennet. * Gflin do. * Leadington. * Royal Codling. Summer Queening. Kentifh do. Winter do. Dutch do. « Yorkmire Green. * Royal Ruffet. Margill. * Royal Pearmain. Nonfuch. Loan's do. * White Hawthornden. '' Summer do. * Norfolk Beafing. * Golden Rennet. Strawberry. Pears. CH..2-] ORCHARDS. 29! Pears. Cherries. Drummond. *( May Duke. * Longueville. * Black Heart. * Jargonelle. * Kentifh. ' Lammas. * Morella. Crauford. Plums. * Green Yair. * Wine Sour * Achan. * Orleans. * Scotch Bergamot. * Green Gage. Summer do. * Blue do. Worcefler. * Yellow do. Cadilac. * White & Red Mag. Bon, Warden. * Damaik. SECTION V. CULTURE. EFORE planting, the foil is to be trenched to its full depth ; and the manure well incorporated with it in the operation. Maiden trees of all the kinds are to be preferred, having boles of three, or four feet in length, the apples being worked on crab, and the pears on free flocks. The diftance at which they ihould ultimately Hand is, thirty feet either way, for Apples T 2 and 292 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [B, & and Pears. For Plums and Cherries, fix feet lefs refpedively. As I by no means approve of a mixture of crops, or even of an under crop as a re^ imburfement for prefent expence, I would advife planting four trees for one that is to fland for good ; that is, at fifteen feet each way for Apples and Pears, and at twelve for Plums and Cherries. Three of thefe muft be confidered and treated as temporary trees from the beginning, and ought to be chofen of the leaft durable, and at the fame time, fooneft bearing kinds ; fuch as the Nonfuch and Haw- thornden apples $ Crauford and Yair pears ; May Duke and Morella cherries, &c. which may be interfperfed as tempo- raries amongft all kinds without difcrimi- nation. The feafon for planting is from Novem- ber to March, with equal fuccefs. The pits fliould be filled in with light compofl of earth and manure, for all kinds, except the Nonfuch Apple, which is moft du- rable, and alfo generally moft fruitful without manure at any time } wherefore, in the annual drefling, manuring, &c. this tree CH. 2.] ORCHARDS. 293 tree is to be an exception, fo far as not to injure the others by its treatment or'ne- gledh If the firft Summer proves dry and hot, let the trees be frequently watered ; and, in order to retain the moifture, let a little dung or other litter be kept round them on the furface. The only indulgence which I would fubfcribe to, in refpect of an under crop is, a fingle row of Beans, Cabbage, Carrot, Peas, Potatoes, Turnip, &c. in the centre between the trees, and that only for a few years, and with a view of defraying the expence of hoeing and keeping the ground clean of weeds, &c. which is invariably to be done for the firft ten or twelve years, or till the temporaries are removed. By this time the principals will be fo far eftablifhed in the foil, and advanced in ftrength and fize, that the ground may fafely be laid down in grafs, fo to remain, that their roots be no further difturbed for feven or eight years ; after which, it is to be periodically broke up every fifth pr fixth, and moderately manured. T 3 Previous 294 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [B. 2* Previous to this, let a moderate quan- tity of manure be digged in every fecond year, obferving to dig deepeft, and apply moft of the manure beyond the extremities of the roots, thereby preparing food for them as they advance. The criterion for relinquifhing the practice of under cropping, is, when the roots of the trees refpeclively come intq contact. SECTION VL On PRUNING, ifc. JUDICIOUS pruning is of the utmoft confequence, both to the welfare of the tree, and to the production of beau-r tiful and well - fized fruit. That old trees produce diminutive fruit, is not, perhaps, altogether becaufe of their age% but becaufe of the want of judicious and timely 'pruning ; and as old, or at leaft eftablifhed trees; are the fureft bearers in general, it is fubjett of regret that fo many inftances are found of total neglect in this particular. CH. 2.] ORCHARDS. 295 particular. In all the Clydefdale orchards, there is not one tree in fifty in proper order in this refpect. From the day the tree is planted, to the day in which it is no longer fuffered to " encumber the earth," it fhould under- go an annual vifitation of the " pruning hook," which fhould be in the hand of one " who knoweth the fruitful and pro- fitable branch, from the unfruitful, and that which is naxught, and ^erifheth." This operation, however, is to be per- formed with caution and moderation, efpe- cially on young trees ; as too free an ufe of the knife is attended with the confe- quence of too great a profufion of young fhoots the following feafon. The tree fhbuld be kept moderately thin, and fre'e of branches croffing one another, endea- vouring to have every part of it regular, and fanned out towards the extremities } alfo, thinning out the cluttered fpurs (as in many kinds they form too thick) regu- larly, and cutting out fuch as are rotten, bruifed, &c. Let the temporary trees be thinned away, as the principals advance towards T 4 each 296 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [fi. 2, each other, , and, by the time their ex- tremities meet, let them be entirely ftubbed up, In aged trees, which have been negled- ed, and are too thick of wood, fpurs, &c. the pruning faw and knife fhould be ufed with freedom at firft, and that in every part of the tree, without difcrimination of fruitful or unfruitful branches. By the judicious performance of this operation, it is incredible in what aftonifh- ing degree a tree will renew its .age j and will forthwith for many years flourim, and produce excellent crops of fruit. The feafon for performing the above operations, is any time from October to March, but after that time it is not advi- fable j:o handle fruit-trees, as the buds then begin to vegetate, and are eafily difplaced. It is no uncommon thing to fee apple, pear, and plum trees, &c. in a great mea- fure deliroyed by mofs. This is moft ge- nerally occafioned, by the roots having touched a cankering bottom > but it is alfo frequently occafioned by the tree being- kept too thick of wood, and confequently pf foliage, which confines ftagnant air about CH. 2.] ORCHARDS, 297 about its branches, in dull hazy weather. It is of lefs bad confequence, if this is con- fined to the trunk, or ftrong branches on- ly , but if the extremities and fruit-fpurs are affected, the juices will be obftruded in their circulation, and confequently the fruit will be more immediately injured. Therefore the mofs fhould be rubbed off every pruning feafon, and the branches and fpurs fhould be anointed every fecond or third, with -a folutionof fulphur and foap- fuds, in the following proportion, viz. one pound foft foap, one pound, flowers of ful- phur, fix gallons river or rain water, boiled all together for half an hour — applied when milk warm with a fpunge. If the trees are afflicted with the cater- pillar, or grub, which is frequently the cafe, the liquor, fee p. 62, muft be ufed in- flead of the above, being careful to anoint the eyes of the buds, as it is there the eggs of the infeds are chiefly lodged, whence they iflue with the young fhoot, and inclofe themfelves in the leaves, on which they feed, or perforate to the very great injury, frequently the total deftrudion of the foliage $ 298 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [B. 2. foliage ; and confequently to the detriment and ultimate ruin of the tree. SECTION VII. / Of CATTLE in Orchards. IT is a prevalent cuftom to pa/lure in orchards. — I difapprove of the practice. It is too frequently the caufe of total ne- glect of the fruit ; the trees being often left unguarded, and confequenly much da- maged by the cattle browfing on the branches, and rubbing themfelves againft the boles. Pa/luring of fheep is attended with equal- ly bad (if not worfe) confequences ^ as no- thing is more pernicious than the oil or greafe, which exudes from their wool, in rubbing themfelves ; which, if often re- peated on the fame tree, and this is almoft always the cafe, this animal inftinclively following example, more than any other, has the effect of completely clofing the pores of the trunk fo rubbed, much to its detriment. But CH. 2.] ORCHARDS. 299 But I have other objections than thefeto this practice, viz. iy?, Until the trees have been about fifteen years in the ground, are well eftablilhed, and the temporaries are all removed, the ground mould not be laid down in grafs. 2dly, If planted with the view of being an Orchard only, the trees will neceflarily ftand fo thick, and the herbage be fo much fhaded, that it will be of little value, and of very bad quality for pafture. La/lty, 1 confider it as being prejudicial to the roots of the trees, parti- cularly in ft iff wet foils, to be pent up in the earth, and retarded in their annual progrefs by the weight and conftant tread- ing of the cattle. Wherefore, I would rather advife, that the'under crop be ufed as cut grafs, (which generally comes very early), and this is found tto pay better than pafturing ; the firfl cutting, which is always had before the trees are full in leaf, being equal to the value of the pafture. SEC- gOO THE FRUIT GARDENER. SECTION VIII. On the Cultivation of SMALL FRUIT* THE method of planting ftandard Fruit- trees, to divide the quarters of the kitchen-garden, is now juftly exploded. They are found to injure the under crops much. The method of planting currants and goofeberries round the edges, and to fubdivide the kitchen-garden, is alfo juftly exploded 3 and they are now generally plant- ed in quarters by themfelve? : fo are rafp- berries and ftrawberries. And thus an opportunity of changing crops is afforded, as the beft method is to make new plantations of ftrawberries every fourth or fifth year ; and of currants, goofe- berries, and rafpberries, every feyenth or eighth. The three laft named, having much the fame effed on the foil, may not take place of one another with propriety ; but may with ftrawberries, and alfo ftraw- berries with any of them. The CH. 2.] ORCHARDS. 30! The ground fhould be trenched, and mo- derately enriched with any of the kinds of manure moft properly applicable to the foil ; which, for currants, goofebef ries, and rafpberries, if not a perfe& fand, canker- ing gravel, or wet, ftubborn clay, will (with proper culture) produce them abun- dantly. Strawberries are an exception. They are moft productive of fruit, -and leaft fo of ft raw, on a ftrong loam, and in an open expofure. Neverthelefs, we find them prolific, with proper culture, in many dif- ferent foils. If the ground is broken out from grafs, let the turf be chopped well ; bury it in the bottom of the trench, and the manure one fpit deep. If from ground which has been under tillage or kitchen crops, bury the one-half in the bottom, and the other at one fpit deep ; obferving to divide and break the foil well in the operation. The methods of producing young plants of all the kinds being univerfally known, it would only be wafting time in faying more in that refped, than that they fhould be clean, healthy, and well rooted. To 302 THE FRUIT GARDENER. [fi. £* To enumerate the kinds would be an endlefs tafk, particularly of goofeberries } nor would it be at all fatisfadtory, almoft every one having their favourites. But it cannot be doubted that the rage for multi- plying the varieties of this fruit has been carried too high of late years; and that many of our old kinds far excel the new ones, in refpedt to flavour. Currants and Goofeberries Should be planted at from four to fix feet apart each way, according to the qua- lity of the foil. The feafon is any time from November to the firft of March. Currants and goofeberries produce both on fpurs, and on the fhoots of laft year , but the fruit on the latter is always largefl. Therefore, the fhoots to be retained fhould be left at full length ; and the plant ought to be regularly thinned out, leaving thefe generally at the diflance of from nine to twelve inches apart, and twifting off all fuckers, &c. from the root, which take greatly from its ftrength. Goofeberry plants, in particular, fhould be kept free and open in the middle ; nor is CH. 2.] ORCHARDS. 303 a Winter pruning fufficient; but they fhould have a Summer drefling alfo, when the fnperfluous ftiQots are to be rubbed ofT. This, however, is not fo neceflary for cur- rants. Indeed, they generally fwell their fruit larger if fliaded in a moderate degree, though it mufl be allowed the flavour is not fo high, as when the plant is kept more open and free of luxuriant moots. Some goofeberries are of the weeping kind, and when heavy laden, the fruit is fre- quently much injured, and even daflied off by the branches dragging on the ground. To prevent which, a hoop Ihould be faflen- ed to flakes or pegs drove into the ground, and at the diflance of a foot from it $ to which let the branches be drefled in a re- gular manner. Rafpberries Are alfo to be planted at from four to fix feet apart each way, according to their kind, and the quality of the foil. In good land, the Antwerp kinds require at leaft fix feet : the common, a foot or two lefs, as they do not grow fo luxuriantly. I have feen a quarter of Antwerp* , which avera- ged §64. THE FRUIT GARDENER. [B. 2* ged ten feet in height each fhoot, and pro- portionally ftrong > feme of which girted above three inches. They grew in a mix- ture of peat-earth and fandy loam of confi^ derable depth. Rafpberries bear entirely on the fhoots of laft year, which are plentifully produ- ced from the root every feafon. In Win- ter dreffing, the old fhoots are to be clear- ed away, and alfo the major part of the new, retaining three or four of the ftrongeft only, otherwife the plant would become a perfed: bufli next feafon. The moil limple, and beft mode 'of fup- porting them is, by twifting the fhoots loofely together, and tying the extremity with a piece of fpun-yarn, or ftrands of frefll matting. Strawberries Are to be planted, either in July or Au- guft, or in March or April, according to the forwardnefs of the feafon, in rows from twenty-four to thirty inches afunder, ac- cording to the kinds and quality of the foil, and at from fix to eight inches in the row} kept clean of weeds' at all times; the flraw CH. 2.] ORCHARDS. 305 ftraw cut in Odober 3 the rows rutted on each fide, left fix inches broad, and the in- tervals dug a full fpade deep. A flight dunging each feafon, or a good one every fecond, will be fufficient to keep the land in heart. \yhere the fituation is particularly in- viting, and (which fometimes happens) the culture of any other crop would be at- tended with more difficulty ; ftrawberries may be fuccefsfully Continued on the fame {pot for many years, by reverfing the rows and intervals every third feafon. This is attended with no manner of trouble, the runners planting themfelves. But when new plantations are to be made, fuch runners, after having flruck root in July or Auguft, are the fitteft plants for this purpofe, and fliould then be tranf- planted. It is obfervable, that ftrawberries plant- ed in manner as above, that is, in rows, are much more prolific of large fruit, than when planted thick in beds. In fingle de- tached rows, they are ftill more fo ; and are with propriety run round the alleys of the kitchen-garden, in the double cha- U rader 306 THE FRUIT GARDENER, [fi. 2* rader of edgings, " ornamental and fruit-* Some, who are fanguine of the produce of their ground, introduce kitchen-crops of all kinds amongfl their currants, goofe- berries, and rafpberries, and frequently with too little difcrimination of which is the intended' crop. Why are they planted by themfelves at all ? Is it not that they may be produced in the greater perfec- tion ? If fo, why with open eyes thwart the original intention, by robbing the ground with burdenfome crops of vege^ tables ? Neverthelefs, I wifh not to fee an inch of land loft. There is certainly a me- dium, A fingle row of beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, turnip, pota- toes, &c. in the centre between the cur- rant-trees, &c. being fown or planted, would be conform to ftrid prudence. And here they would be of the very beft qua^ lity, if the foil were congenial to their na- tures, as they would have full room to ex- tend. I have feen excellent vegetables produ- ced in this 'manner 5 but at the fame time have CH. 2.] ORCHARDS. 307 have feen much injury done the fruit, by its being too long perfifted in. Till the fourth year, it may be pradifed ; but not longer. Indeed, there would little (per- haps no) profit attend the pradice after this time, as the fruit would fuftain more injury than the value of the vegetables would indemnify } and thefe laft would be leflened in value, by being overfhadowed by the trees or biifhes. Ua BOOK BOOK THIRD. THE KITCHEN GARDENER. INTRODUCTION. NECESSITY, which is juftly faid to be the mother of invention, is the firft and grand ftimulus to induftry. Hence the caufe, why the northern nations are farther advanced in the arts of gardening and agriculture than the fouthern, moft probably is, that the foil and climate are generally lefs favourable, and confequently lefs productive of the neceflaries and com- forts of life. As commerce extended, and mankind began to have more intimate intercourfe with one another, not only their real but imaginary wants were mutually difcover- U3 ed, 4 • ' ' ' 'f • 3IO THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. ;Jr ed, and the means of gratification employ- ed. The progrefs was lougjlowfy progref- Jive in our ifland m? but now a fpirit of ufe- ful improvement hath manifefted itfelf in all orders of the community, unknown to other ages. The branches of gardening and agriculture have made rapid progrefs ; but an ample field is ftill left open, in which the ingenious and induftrious may difplay their talents and perfeverance. The various modes of raifing food for man, by cultivating the earth, are to be comprehended under the two general heads, Gardening and Agriculture. Thefe go hand in hand, being nearly allied to one another; the chief conftituent diffe- rence being in the implements ufed, and the manner of employing them. In the one, the labour is chiefly manual ; but in the other, the far greater part is perform- ed by aid of cattle. The plough is a moft ufeful inftrument, but it is not fo efficacious on a fmall fcale as a fpade. Hence the fuperiority of the garden over the field, in refped to the fu- perabundance of its produce. The more we do for the foil, the more grateful B* 3.] INTRODUCTION. 3!! grateful will it be in return; and prudence, as well as iritereft, fhew the neceffity of fldlful induflry, whether in gardening of in agriculture, and fpur on to improve- ment. A juft knowledge of the value and effect of manures, their application, the quality, nature, and pulverization of the foil, is the grand bafis of agricultural improvement, and lead to all fubfequent difcoveries. Thefe can be more minutely followed in gardening than in agriculture, and alio with lefs rifk of difappointment. Hence have the difcoveries and improvements in gardening generally been the forerunners of thofe in agriculture. Inafmuch as not only garden vegetables, but grain, produce moft abundantly on what is termed new land, effectual plow- ing, digging, trenching, &c. would appear to be of the utmoft importance. This mat- ter is fufceptible of being more effectually performed in gardening than in agriculture, and is another reafon why the garden is more productive than the field. A third reafon, in fome inftances, may be local- fituation, flicker, &c. But this U 4 does 312 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. £. does not always hold good, as many kinds of vegetables, particularly thofe moft ufe- ful, are found to do as well, if not better, in an open field-garden, than in one which isjheltered. Garden land is generally higher rented than that of the farm 3 a much fmaller quantity is appropriated to the mainte- nance of a family ; the occupier is under the necefllty of ufing all diligence, induf- try, and perfeverance ; and of working and manuring his ground to the utmoft of his ability in the hope of a return. Thus may another reafon be deduced why the garden is more productive than the field. And, laftly, Private gardens, being both an objefl of utility and amufement to the proprietor, are generally placed in the moft favourable fituations, well kept, manured, &c. Neverthelefs, the efforts of the moft fkil- ful, in the culture bf the more tender e£ culents, are often baffled 3 more efpecially if his foil be not congenial for the pur- pofe. And who is he that can withftand all the cafual occurrences of weather, and viciffitudes of a variable climate ? In fine, gardening B, 3-] INTRODUCTION. 313 gardening and hufbandry, labour under many difadvantages in this country, un- known on the continent, particularly in the earlier part of the feafon. Not fo much that the weather is more fevere, which in- deed may be queftioned, but that it is more changeable, and that we are lefs favoured with the vifits of that refulgent luminary, the firft ftimulus, the very ejfence of vege- tation. To remedy, then, as far as may be in our power, the difadvantages under which we labour, let us endeavour to render the climate more falubrious by the high cultiva- tion of every fpot of ground, in whatever way it may be employed ; which unque- ftioiiably hath a good effed, and goes far towards- the attainment of this defirable objed. Draining comes firft in point. For, while latent water remains in the body of the foil, we may defpair of ever rendering it productive, in a fuperlative degree, erf" either vegetables *, grain, or timber- And happy * According to the general acceptation of the word ; for vegetables embraces the whole of one of the kingdoms' of nature* THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 'B. j* happy is it for this country, that now a method of performing this frequently ne- cefiary operation, is difcovered and divul- ged to the world, than which, perhaps no- thing, could be a more valuable acquifi- tion. The reader will probably perceive, that I allude to Mr Elkington's, as explained by Mr Johnfton. He is referred to it. Next to this, effectual ploughing, dig- ging, trenching, incorporating, and aera- ting the foil, would feem to ftand forward and demand our particular attention. Let us beftow it. Let us not exhauft one part of the foil, while another remains in a ftate of inactivity, and is, perhaps, at the fame time equally capable of production. But rather let us bring up what probably has never, or at leaft for years paft, been accuftomed to the dividing rutt of the coul- ter, the penetrating thru/I of the fpade, and confequently, the produce of " food for man and beaft;" and which, by being frefh and unexhaufted, may afford a timely relief to that which is the contrary, over- burthened, perhaps, by long and fucceffive production. But B. 3-] INTRODUCTION. 315 But while we fearch after, and bring up this " hidden treafure," let us not be too fanguine. Let us be careful not to bring up in mixture with it, what would not fail to thwart our beft intentions, — cankering gravel, irony till, or corroding fand. What next comes in point, and is emi- nently ufeful, whether for improving this new acquifition, or refrefhing, and in a great meafure reftoring, the exhaujied foil, is the difcreet application of manure. There are many kinds of this moft ufeful ingredient. The judicious will always apply that which is moft evidently calculated to enrich and divide the foil, if over tenacious, or which will add adhefion to, and alfo enrich it, if too light and porous. Next follows, fkilful, and moderate crop- ping. In refpecfl of the former, pra&ice and experience alone can enfure fuccefs, and the attainment of perfection. In refpe<5t of the latter, whoever fhall bear in mind, that it is as neceflary for land to reft from pro- ducing, as for man to reft from labour, and that it is of as bad confequence to over- burthen land with crops at any time as man with labour, will not fail to tread the right THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3; right path. Farther, it is certainly prefer- able to have an article good in quality, than twice the quantity which is, perhaps, neither nutritive nor wholefome. The ju- dicious will proportion the weight of crop to the ftrength and ability of the foil. And this leads to another confiderationj namely, that of weeds. Of all things in nature, where art hath connection, the moft difgufting is that of a garden of weeds, — a thing inconfiflent in itfelf, and alfo with common fenfe. Do we fow or plant with the intention of reaping ? Do we wifh to raife wholefome and well-ripened crops ? Do we look for re-imburfement and com- penfationfor'expence and labour? And do we, at the fame time, negligently fuffer weeds to impoverim the foil, and rob the crop of the nourifhment neceflary to fuftain and bring it to perfection, and confequent- ly produce the defired return? Let us beftow the attention this fubjeft would feem to deferve, and we mall conclude, fi- nally, that fuccefsful cultivation and pro- dudion of vegetable food, in a great mea- fure, depends on the following defiderata : A B. 3«] INTRODUCTION. 317 A juil knowledge of the quality of the foil ^ effedual draining ; efFe&ual plowing; effectual digging $ effedual trenching 3 dif- creet manuring ^ moderate cropping 3 care- ful weeding 3 induftrious reaping > and ju- rliPirmc -falln-urino* dicious fallowing CHAP- THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3, CHAPTER I. ON THE PROPER DEPTH AND SITUATION OF GAR- DEN LAND. j THAT kitchen vegetables do beft on what is termed new lahd, is a gene- rally-received opinion, and plainly demon- ftrated in many inftances. It is alfo a com- mon complaint among gardeners, that their ground, from what is termed worn out, will not produce certain kinds of vegetables : not that it is poor and hungry, or altoge- ther unadapted to the produ&ion of them, having perhaps formerly produced the very articles in great abundance ; but that the furface has been many years under thefe crops, and that they have not a fufficient quantity of ground for a proper change. In walled gardens this complaint is moft general , and it would appear to be occa- fioned by the expence of inclofing a fuffi- ciency of ground to ferve the family, or of compofing a body of foil of a competent depth, Thai CH. I.] GARDEN LAND. 319 That many kinds of kitchen vegetables do as well (if not better) in an open field- garden, as in one that is inclofed with high walls, and flickered, and perhaps fha- ded, with trees, is an undeniable fad: : and, were it not for the production of the finer fruits, there would be little ufe in rearing garden-walls at all. But the ground thus inclofed is certainly, occupied with more propriety in the production of vegetables than of any other crop, And, as it is prefumed, the ground thus inclofed is to be occupied as a garden many years ; that the walls have been built at a confiderable expence 3 that the ground is trenched, walks made and laid out at a confiderable expence alfo ; and that, above all, it is defirable to have a fupply of wholefome vegetables for the ufe of the kitchen, while the ground is thus occu- pied ; — I (hall drop a few hints on the me- thod of obtaining this end, and which I have partly pradtifed * with iuccefs. Firft, * I fay partly pra&ifed, becaufe the operation of it requires many years, and it has happened, (by my change of fituation), to be out of my power to follow it fully 320 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [fi. 3, Firft, then, it is neceflary to have a depth of foil from twenty-four to thirty-fix inches ; which, in many inftances, is not attainable without much expence and Ja- bour: but which, however, if the above objedt is kept ir* view, ought to be a fecon- dary confideratipn, as it requires but once doing; and the matter of from ten to twen- ty per cent, on the expence of the garden, will, in moft cafes, be fufficient fpr its ac- complifhment. In this cafe, it is obvious, that whatever the depth of the natural foil lacks of twenty-four inches, is to be fup- plied by far$ing% that is, carrying in foil from the adjacent fields : for it is not ad- vifable to trenph up and mix much of the fub-foil (of whatever texture it be) with it. Indeed, in many c^fes, gardens are almoft ruined by the injudicious admixture of the fub-foil with the furface mould. Secondly, Situation is to be confidered. In page 245, 1 have already dropped fome hints fully out ;n pra&ice. But I hope the theory will be, found to be reafonable, and confiftent with both horticu- lar and agricultural improvement ; and that it will be followed out by fome of the many ingenious improver^ ^f land wherewith the country abounds. CK. I.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 32 1 hints on this head ; and would here fur- ther obferve, that in few inftances is it advifable to lay down a garden on a level fpot, fuch feldom having a dry bottom, and being drained with more difficulty, if requifite, than when there is a declivity. A north afpedl is alfo to be avoided, and preference fhould be given to a fouth, fouth-eaft, or fouth-weft : but even an eaft or weft afped:, in many cafes, may prove excellent fltuations. A declivity of from a foot in twelve to a foot in thirty or forty will generally anfwer \ but about one in twenty-five has the happieft effect. The rule I had laid down- and which I have partly practifed, is this, viz. To take three crops off the firft furface, then trench 'three fpit deep, by which the bot- tom and top is reverfed, and the middle remains in the middle ; take three crops off this furface, and then trench two fpit, by which the top becomes the middle, and the middle the top ; and take alfo three crops off this furface, and then trench three fpit, whereby that which was laft the middle, .and now top, becomes the bot- X torn, 322 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [fi, 3, torn, and that which is now the bottom, and was the furface at firfl, now becomes furface again, after having refted fix years. Proceed in this manner alternately ; the one time trenching two fpit deep, and the other three : by which means the furface will always be changed, and will reft fix years and produce three. Hence will there always be new foil* in the garden for the production of whole.- fome vegetables ; and hence alfo will much lefs manure be required, than when the foil is fhallow and the fame furface conftantly in crop. I have faid above, that the foil fhould be from twenty-four to thirty-fix inches deep : and I would not advife that it be much more, or at leaft that it be trenched to a greater depth j as thereby the furface might be buried too deep from the adion of the weather and influence of the fun, and confequently would be crude and unmeliorated * I prefume the appellation is confiftent with the idea we have of New Soil, as certainly in reality there is no fuch thing ; but, by this procefs, it will be in a great meafure renovated. CH. I.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 323 unmeliorated for fome time after trench- ing up. In fituations where the foil is only fo deep as to allow of trenching two fpit, and expence in making it deeper is grud- ged, the above hint may alib be followed with advantage : as by regularly trench- ing every third or fourth year, the ground will reft half its time; and, if judiciouf- ly managed, and cropped in proper ro- tation, wholefome vegetables may be pro- duced on it for many years fucceffive- iy- In many inftances, it may be incon- venient, nay improper, to trench the whole garden over in the fame feafon ; nor do I \vifli to advance fuch a propofition ; one half, or a third, at a time, may be more advifable, and alfo more con- venient '9 of which, circumftances alone can determine. But I would here ob- ferve, that, in cafes where the bottom is wet or tilly, in trenching at any time, care fliould be taken to go exadly the fame depth with each trench ; a matter of evident benefit ; for, if the bottom Ipe left rough and uneven, and if galls X 2 are 324 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3. are left between each trench, water will flagnate in the foil, and, of confequence, by fouring it, injure the crop, whether of trees or vegetables. CHAP- CH 2.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 325 CHAPTER II. ON THE NATURE AND VARIETY OF GARDEN LAND; WITH THE MEANS OF IMPROVEMENT. IT is a happy circumftance, that in many inftances we meet with different foils in the fame acre. In the fame garden they fhould never be wanting ; and where na- ture (or natural caufes) hath been deficient, recourfe muft be had to art ; inafmuch as the variety of fruits and vegetables to be cultivated, require a variety of foils to pro- duce tfiem in perfedion. It would be abfurd, however, to imagine, that for every particular vegetable there is to be a particular foil prepared. The va- riety of foil in any garden may with pro- priety be confined to the following : — Strong clayey loam; light fandy loam} (which are the two grand objects) : a com- pofition of one-fourth ftrong, with three- fourths light loam 3 half ftrong, and half light ; and one -fourth light, and three- fourths ftrong. Which, by a proper treat- X 3 ment, 326 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [fi. 3, ment, and with the proper application of manures, may be rendered productive of any of the known and commonly cultiva- ted vegetables, in the higheft degree of per- fection. But, in order to improve a foil, we muft be guided much by its nature, fo as, if pof- fible, to render it ferviceable in a general intention. And hence, our duty is, to en- .deavour to hit on that happy medium which fuits the generality of efculents, in the formation or improvement of the foil in the kitchen-garden. Such a foil fhould be fufficiently tenacious to adhere to the roots of plants, though not fo much fo as to be binding, which would certainly re- tard their progrefs and extenfion in queft of food. Hence, a loam of a middle tex- ture, rather inclining to fand, may be de- nominated the moft happy foil for the pur- pofe here in view ; and that on a double account, viz. The greater part of the va- luable kinds of kitchen vegetables delight in fuch, and it is worked at lefs expence than a ftiff foil ; neither in fevere droughts is it fo apt to crack or be parched ; nor in hard Cft. 2.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 327 hard frofts is it fo apt to throw or fpew tender plants or feeds out. If foils be too ftrong, the tender roots of plants pufh weakly in them, fie ken, canker, and perifh ; and if a foil be too light, and if it be poor withal, plants depofited in it will pufti their roots far, and in vain, in queft of that {lability and nutriment which is neceflary and efiential to their fupport. So that, if the butt of our aim be perfec- tion in the production of wholefome and well-matured vegetables, we muft put afide carelefs indifference in the formation of a proper foil ; nor truft entirely to the force of dungs, were they even to be had in the greateft plenty ; for thefe, by too free an application, have an effecS on the quality of efbulents, not altogether falutary. Wherefore, that our efforts may be at- tended with fuccefs throughout, let us be- ftow a moderate and prudent expence in the firft outfet, on compofing or fo impro- ving the foil to be appropriated to this pur- pofe, as that, in our beft judgment, it may fully anfwer the intention. For, Forming and compofing the foil of a garden, is certainly more eafily accom- X 4 plifhed 328 THE KITCHEN GARDENER, [B. 3. plifhed before, or at the time the walls are building, than afterwards : and we often find, where that matter has not been pro- perly attended to at firft, and where even the expence of doing it afterwards would be chearfully beftowed, the principal ob- flacle is the cutting-up of the lawns, fbrub- bry, walks, Sec. Thefe confiderations, however, ought to give way to the more folid advantages to be derived from the improvement of the kitchen-garden ; the more efpecially, as in the courfe of a fea- fon, and at a trifling expence, they may be replaced in all refpeds as they were be- fore. In many cafes might the foil of the gar- den be improved in a very considerable de- gree at a fmall expence. Thus, where the bottom is w$t, and the fub-foil of a canker- ing nature, — by judicious draining, which is certainly one of the greateft improve- ments in this cafe : where the foil is ftub- born, — by the addition of fmall gravel, fea fand, wherein is a confiderable quantity of fmali pebbles and fhells, coal afhes, lime- gravel, CH. 2.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 329 gravel, pounded brick-bats *, brick-kiln afhes, &c. &c. and, above all, by being carefully laid up in ridges in the Winter months, and indeed at all times when not in crop, in fuch a manner as to give the greateft extent of furface for the weather to act upon : where the foil is a poor fand or gravel, &c. — by the addition of clay, or ftrong clayey loam, fcourings of ditches which run through a clayey fub-foil, pond- mud in a like lituation, or fcrapings of roads, which lie in a clayey diftricl, &c. Soils that abound with metallic fubftan- ces, and which generally make them ap- pear of an iron colour, are termed foxbent or till. Thefe fubftances are often found to be intimately mixed, or rather confoli- dated with the foil, in considerable mafles, which are adheiive and very ponderous. Such foils are the moft unfavourable to ve- getation of any ; and are quite ineligible for * I have witneffed the effe&s of pounded brick-bats and brick kiln ames in mixture, which were applied freely, in fertilizing a cold, wet, back- lying, clayey field, in an aftonifhing manner, by a finglc dreffing. This is a proof that clay, after being burnt, is completely changed in nature and effecl:. 33° THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. ji for the purpofe here in view, without be^ ing much improved. For this purpofe, lime will be found the mod ferviceable of all things, if judicioufly applied, and the foil be frequently turned over by digging or trenching ; fo as that the foil and the lime may be intimately mixed together, and that the atmofphere may have full effed: upon them : for without this, the lime will not operate fo effedually, nor will the tilly particles of the foil be divided or meliora- ted fo well. It may feem unnecefiary to obferve, that according to the quantity of irony matter contained in the foil, lime will be required to reduce it. In order to afcertain this quantity, a magnet will be found ufeful } and, by one of the mafles being calcined, and then reduced to a powder, will fepa- rate the irony particles from the foil or re- fiduum ; fhowing the proportion of iron, and of earth. Thus we may judge, what quantity of lime will be required to ferti- lize the foil •, taking for the extremes in ordinary cafes, and fuppofing the lime of a middling Duality, 150 and 400 Winchefter bufliels an acre ; applying the lime in a quick CH. 2.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. quick or powdered ftate, and properly working the foil } being careful, in the . firft place, to drain it of fuperabundant moifture. Ridging-up of land, as above hinted, has the happieft effed, efpecially for ftiff foils, and fliould never be omitted when the ground is not under crop. In dead fandy loams, alfo, and in cankering gravels, it is of infinite advantage for meliorating them: but in very light fandy foils, it is not ad- vifable to carry this pradice to too great an excefs. For it is a fad: proved by expe- rience, that, by expofing foil to the fun's rays in part, by throwing it into a heap, whereby it is alfo partly fliaded, and trench- ing it once a month, will fooner reftore it to fertility than any other procefs, ex- cfuiively of adding frefli matter. ^And thus, if any ingredient, noxious to vegetation, abound in the foil, it may be expelled, or exhaled, by the adion of the atmofphere ; more particularly if the foil undergo a Summer, and alfo a Winter fallow. In the latter cafe, however, care fhould be taken to have the furface incruft- ed by froft as often as poffible, by turning it, and giving it a new furface each fuc- ceeding thaw. 332 THE/ KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3. CHAPTER III. ON MANURES, AND THEIR APPLICATION. THOSE moft to be preferred for the ufe of the kitchen-garden are — fta- ble-dung, cow-duiig, hog-dung, flieep-dung, pigeon-dung, foot, lime, loamy marl, fhell- marl, fea-weed, wood-afhes, whin-aflies *, fern-afhes, coal-afhes, vegetable mould of decayed tree-leaves ; and vegetable mould of decayed vegetables of all kinds, as cab- bage leaves, haulm, weeds, &c. to which may be added with much propriety, al- though a fluid fubftance, the richefl of all, and that in which is moft of the food of vegetables, viz. the drainings of the dung- hill. Manures * I have witnefled the aftonifhing effects of whin- afh.es alone y in producing herbage in a five or fix fold degree ; which was the more obvious, on account that the field on which they were applied was much alike in quality, (a flifF, wet, clayey loam), and the afhes were applied partially. The effed was viiible for feveral fucceflive years, Alfo, on the timber-trees, with which the field was afterwards planted. CH. 3.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 333 Manures are to be applied either as fim- ples or compounds ; but the latter method is certainly the moft eligible. For certain it Is, that if they have not undergone a pro- per fermentation, their effedls are, giving a rank and difagreeable flavour to fruits and vegetables ; and if an immoderate quantity is applied, of producing a conii- derable degree of unwholefomenefs, and tainting the juices of all plants. A combination of ftable-dung, fea-\veed, lime, and vegetable mould, which has lain in a heap for three or four months, and has been two or three times turned during that period, will make an excellent ma- nure for moft kinds of garden-land. Al- fo, cow-dung, hog-dung and Iheep-dung, mixed with foot or any of the kinds of afhes. Pigeon-dung, marl, and vegetable mould, well mixed, will alfo make an ex- cellent manure for heavy land; or even for lighter foils, provided the pigeon-dung be ufed fparingly. Neats-dung, that is, of cows and oxen, and hog-dung, being flightly fermented, will compofe a very fit and rich manure for light, hot foils. For thofe of a dry, abforbent 334- THE KITCHEN GARDENER. IX" 3. abforbent nature, perhaps none would an- fwer better, or laft longer, by reafon that they retain molfture for a greater length of time, and alfo ferment more flo^ly, than other dungs. Pigeon-dung, lime, foot, afhes, &c. fhould never be applied as fimples ; the quantity of them required being compa- ratively fmall, and the regular diftribution difficult, without the admixture of other matter. But thefe fhould generally be ap- plied in compoft, of good earth, turf, or fward, or of cow or other dung of a cool nature : applying them in quantity accord- ing to the cold, or the hot nature, of the foil to be manured ; allowing the compoft a fufficient time to incorporate, and mix- ing it thoroughly. Marl is an excellent manure for almoft any foil ; and may be applied as a limple with as much propriety as any of the kinds of .cattle-dung, or even vegetable earth. The kind called fhell-marl is much to be preferred ; and fhould be freely applied to ftrong lands, but more fparingly to light : the loamy kind being beft adapted to light lands. Stable-. CH. 3.] THE KITCHENGARDENER. 335 Stable-dung, if ufed as a fimple, fliould not be applied in too -rank a ftate, nor mould it be too much fermented. It mould generally lie in a heap for two or three weeks ; during which time it mould be turned once or twice. A ton of it in this ftate, is worth three that has been ufed in the hot-bed, and is a year old. This manure, and indeed dung of any kind, when applied as fimples, mould ne-. ver be carried from the heap to the ground, till it is to be digged in j as, by its expo- iure to the air, the virtues evaporate, and it is the lefs effectual. The necellity of the inftant application of fea-weed after landing, if ufed as a limple, is even greater than the above ; as it inftantly corrupts, and its juices flow downwards, and are loft. If this manure is ufed as a compound, the heap wherein it is compounded mould be more frequently turned on its account ; that none of the juices may be loft, -but that the other part of the compoft may abforb them. Horfe-dung, and the dung of iheep, deer, rabbits, &c. are moft eligible for cold, \vet foils ; and all thefe, or any of thefe in compoft 336 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [fi. 3. compoft with lime, will be found benefi- cial. For fuch foils alfo, a compoft of coal- afties, pigeon-dung, and lime ; or of wood- afties, whin afhes, fern afhes, and ftable- dung; or, of deer- dung, rabbits-dung, foot, and burnt fward, &c. will make a good manure. Manures being valuable in proportion to the falts and the oils they contain, are to be applied in quantity according to their quality. Hence, the dung of pigeons fhould be ufed in much fmaller proportion than that of horfes, it containing a greater quantity of volatile falts ; and fo the afhes of vegetables containing a portion of fix- ed alkaline falts, being more powerful, are to be applied in ftill fmaller quantity. So alfo, lime, being the moft powerful of the calcareous kinds, fhould be applied, in or- dinary cafes, in much fmaller quantity than marl. Vegetable mould may either be ufed as a fimple or a compound, and is to be ap- plied with equal propriety to all foils. None can be hurt by it in any degree; fince almoft every plant will grow luxuri- antly in it entirely, without the aid of any foil CH. 3.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 337 foil or manure whatever. It feems to be the ambroiia, and the dunghill drainings, the nedtar, of vegetable life. The latter, however, if too freely indulged in, is rather of an intoxicating nature. The importance and effed: * of manure being now generally credited and acknow- ledged, (at lead much more fo lately than heretofore) \ it would appear to be the in- difpenfable duty of every gardener and cultivator of the earth, to be careful in the collection of it, and alfo to diftribute it with fkilful frugality. For this purpofe, a well, cittern, &c. fliould be contrived fo as to colled; the dunghill drainings \ and in the application of manure of any kind, the greateft care fhould be taken to divide it equally, according to the quantity to be applied. All animal fubftances, when properly applied, are good manures ; and as animals Y derive * We may briefly define the effect of manures, when properly applied, thus : Correcting tenacity, crudity, and porofity in the foil ; exciting its fermentation, commu- nicating nutnt've matter, and affording nour.fhment to the roots of plants ; thereby promoting vegetation, and their perfection. THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3. derive their fuftinence, either immediately, or ultimately, from vegetables, thefe, when properly decompofed, become great promo* ters of vegetation. Hence, dungs in gene- ral are fuperior to other manures ; and are the more valuable in their kinds, accord- 'ing to the proportion of oils they contain, which are mod eafily reducible, by the ni- trous acid of the air, into that fpecjes of mucilage, allowed to be the eflential pabu- lum or nutriment of plants. Our duty, therefore, is to colled thefe with care, and apply them with attention. The dunghill may alfo be confiderably increafed by throwing the haulm, ftalks, and leaves of all vegetables into a common heap, letting them remain till well rotted, and afterwards mixing them with lime, marl, afties, foot, &c. or in the procefs of colle&ion. Watering the whole frequent- ly with the drainings of the dunghill, would greatly enhance its value. Like a good roajl, it fhould be well bajle d with its own drippings *. CHAP- . * An obfervation that lately excited a hearty laugh, from an epicure. CH. 4.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 339 CHAPTER IV. CULTURE OF KITCHEN VEGETABLES* SECTION L ARTICHOKES. THIS plant will grow freely in light loam of any kind, provided it be well enriched with compoft, ftable-dung, marl, or fea-weed. It requires a depth of foil from twenty-four to thirty inches, to pro- duce it in perfection. In ftiffwet lands, artichokes frequently perifli in winter* It is propagated with facility by offsets from the old ftools, which are produced every fpring in great abundance, and are to be planted in patches of two or three plants each, at the diftance of four feet, patch from patch each way, watered fre- quently in dry weather, the firft fummer^ and kept clean of weeds. As this plant is very tender, and eafily killed by froft, the rows, &c. fhould be Y 2 carefully 34° THE KITCHEN GARDENERr. [B. $» carefully covered with ftable-dung, or other litter, in the early part of winter, which is preferable to the njethod of dig- ging out trenches, and moulding up with the earth dug therefrom, as, by that mode, the roots are doubly expofed. In a thou- fand inftances were the whole ftockof Ar- tichokes killed, by the early fetting in of the fro ft in 1796, which lafted but three weeks, and was far from what may be teamed fevere. And many of thefe were-* landed up ; but none that were well covered fuffered. In proceeding to cover up the plants with litter, &c. let the decayed ftalks, and alfo the ftrong outfide leaves be removed^ then lay the litter in a ridge all along on the rows, of breadth fufficient to cover the extremities of the roots, and to the thick-' nefs of about ten or twelve inches. In fpring, i. e. about the firft or middle of March, the "littery part of the covering is to be removed, and the finall, or rotten part mould be digged in, previoufly redu- cing the number of plants on each ftool to three or four of the ftrongeft ; as otherwife they CH. 4-] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 34! they would grow too thick, and th£ heads, in confequence, would be rendered fmalL One hoeing will generally be fufficient For the feafon, as hardly any weed will grow under their foliage, and thefe will foon cover the whole ground. The above culture is to be repeated every feafon, for the old ftools ; and where a fucceflion of Artichokes are in requeft, a few young ones fhould be planted every year. They will produce in autumn, in fucceffion to the old ones, and laft till the froft deftroys them. Old ftools fhould not be fuffered to re- main above feven or eight years in the fame fpot, otherwife they produce diminu- tively. SECTION II. ASPARAGUS. THIS vegetable is moft fuccefsfully pro- duced on a light fandy loam of at leaft two feet in depth. And the beft ma- nures, in this cafe, are — a compoft of ftable or cow dung, hogs-dung, fea-weed, marl, ¥3 and 342 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B> 3. and vegetable earth 5 or ftable-dung and vegetable earth ; or, fea-weed and any of the above. Strong loam does not anfwer well for Afparagus ; but it may be much improved by the addition of gravely loam, light fandy loam, fea gravel, brick-bats pounded and mixed with the kiln-afhes, &cf In this cafe, the befl manures are — a compoft of vegetable earth, foot, pigeon- dung, and any of the kinds of afhes ; or, ftable-dung, fea^ weed, and fhell-marl ; or, fheep-dung, fea- weed, and marl ; or, fea-weed, ftable-dung, or fhell-marl, as fimples. As Afparagus does not come to maturity for feveral years ; and as there is no poffi- bility of effectually manuring it after fow- ing or planting, without hurting its roots, which are very brittle, the greateft care is neceflary in preparing the ground for its reception, which fhould be trenched at leaft two feet deep, and the manure well mixed with the foil in the operation, It is common to raife Afparagus on a feed-bed; and tranfplant it into beds four feet wide, with alleys of two feet be- t^een them. la fome inftances, the beds are CH. 4.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 343 are only two feet, and contain but two rows, with alleys alfo of two feet. This method is preferable to the former. But the moft approved, is, to drill in the feed where it is to remain, in flngle rows, a yard apart and an inch deep; fowing pretty thick, in order to infure a crop * : ever} four feet apart for the rows would not be too much. I have feen an inftance where a piece of ground was equally trenched and manured ; the one-half of it was drilled at one yard, and the other at two apart 3 that which flood at two yards, as I was allured by the proprietor, produced a greater quantity of grafs on the fame quantity of ground than the other, and the buds were much larger. That Afparagus, which is fown where it is to remain, will be ftronger, againft the third year, than that which is tranfplanted, I have myielf proved in more than one in- ftance 3 and would therefore advife this practice in preference to the other. If the fpring proves dry after fowing, the rows fhould be frequently refrefhed Y 4 with * The middle of March or firft of April, is the proper: feafon for fowing. 344 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3. with water. When the ^plants have arri- ved at the height of three inches, thin out the rows to about five or fix apart, and draw a little mould to the items of thofe left. Keep clean of weeds for the remain- der of the feafon, and indeed at all times; frequently ftirring the furface, which will greatly promote the growth of the plants. The beft manures, and moft proper ap- plication, for the rows or beds of Afpara- gus, is — the drainings of the dunghill, which may be applied at any time ; fea- weed, which may be applied at any time from Odober to March, and fhould be Ipread on the furface as it is carried from the fhore ; a compoft of lime and dung, or dung and marl ; and ftable-dung alone, which mould he fpread on the furface about October or November, and let re- main till the firfl of March. This tafl is the common method of ma- nuring Afparagus land : but there are many who do fo merely becaufe they fee others do it y and who imagine it to be done in order to preferve the plants from the ef- fe6ls of froft, and of confequence they ^choofe the moft littery part of the dung for this GH. 4.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 345 this purpofe. This idea is erroneous ; and I have fufficiently proved that Afparagus roots will in nowife be injured by the feve- refl froft. Plants of the firft year, how- ever, may with propriety be covered, to prevent their being fpewed out of the ground ; but, otherwife, it is not neceflary to their prefervation. In the very fevere Winter of 1794-5, there wa§ no covering of any kind on my Afparagus, nor was it even what is termed landed up. Inftead of landing-up in Autumn, having previoufly cut the haulm down to the ground, clear the furface of weeds, &c. and ftir it up to the depth of two or three inches with the fork ; that it may the more freely receive, not only the juices of any manure that is applied, but be more readily acfted upon by the weather. In Spring, if it has been covered with ftable-dung or fea-weed, gather off the rough part of it, and flightly point in the finally at the fame time fhed- ding a little mould on the rows, being careful not to go too near the roots of the plants, as thefe, if poffible, fhould never be diflurbed. This operation is to be per- formed 346 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3* formed about the fir ft or fecond week in March. It is a common practice to plant or fow other crops on the beds, or between the rows of Afparagus. This may be proper for the fir ft year or two, if done in mode- ration, introducing a row of cauliflower. Turnips, &c. in the middle of each inter- val of the rows, or in the alleys between the beds. But after this, it becomes alto- gether improper, as by the time the roots begin to fpread, in either mode of fowing or planting, they ought; on no account, to be difturbed ; more particularly if it be wifhed to rear large, handfome grafs. Afparagus beds fliould not lie above eight or ten years; but where it is cultivated in rows, it may lie confiderably longer. However, where the forcing of the roots is pradifed, it is feldom fuffered to He even that time ; as plants of from four to eight years old are fitteft for this purpofe. In refpecS of cutting, the third year ihould arrive at any rate, even if the grafs is fufficiently ftrong the fecond, (which, however, is feldom the cafe) : becaufe, by being cut too foon, it weakens the roots much; CH. 4.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 347 much 3 and the encouragement of thefe, till the grafs is perfectly eftablifhed, is a principal objefl. We often fee blanks in Afparagus beds, &c. that are producing, which were not originally in them, or before the grafs was begun to be cut. This is occafioned by injudicious cutting; and not, as is gene- rally fuppofed, by accidental natural caufes : and what occafions it is evidently, that, in cutting, all the ftalks of fojne of the plants are cut ; which, although they may put forth the next Spring, (but this they will in fome inftances do in Autumn. See note, page n.), do fo in a very weak man- ner, and perifh in the following Winter. Wherefore, care fliould be taken to leave at leaft one or two buds to each plant in or- der to draw nourifhment to, and encourage the growth of the roots. In cutting, be careful not to injure the young buds riling about thofe fit to be cut, nor to wound the crown of the root. The roots of few plants take worfe with wounding than thofe of Afparagus, which, from their fucculent nature, bleed more or Jefs at every bruifq. SEC- 348 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3, SECTION III. BEANS DO heft in ftrong land ; but are fuc- cefsfully produced on almoft any kind of garden ground. In gardening, the land is feldom manured for a Bean crop, as they generally follow that of cab- i>age, cauliflower, &c. which are com- monly planted on well-prepared ground. Beans may be tranrplanted with fuccefs, and where they are required at a very early feafon, the following method fhould be pradifed : Sow, of the early Mazagan, in large pots or boxes, being filled with rich mould, about the firft of November 3 place them in the green-houfe, peach-houfe, &c. or under a frame and lights, and fo as that the plants may enjoy the free air and light, and grow flowly 3 when they come up, refrefh moderately with water ; keep them here, or in a like fituation, till the firft of March j and then plant them out under CH.4-] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. under a wall having a fouth afped:, of other well-flieltered warm fpot, enjoying the full- fun, all along in a row at tvro inches apart j taking them carefully out of the pots or boxes, with their fibres en- tire. For a fecond crop, fow of the Mazagan or Lifbon kinds, on an early border, in a fouth afpedt, in TOWS twenty inches a- part, about the firft of January. And for fucceffional crops, fow or plant in an open expofure, of the Long-pod, Wind- fbr, Sandwich, Toker, &c. in rows from twenty-four to thirty inches apart, [from- the firft of February to the firft of June, at intervals of about three weeks. The crops are invariably to be kept clean of weeds, and earthed up at two dif- ferent times, viz. firft, when the plants are about two inches high, and, laftly, when they are about ten or twelve. Topping the early crops, about the time the pods are diftinguifhable on the lower part of the ftalks, is of advantage; the pods will fwell confiderably fooner iii con- fequence. SEC- THE KITCHEN GARDENER'* [fi. SECTION IV. BEET. OF this plant, there are two kinds in cultivation for the ufe of the kit- chen, viz. the Red, for its roots, and the Green, for its leaves, which are ufed in manner of fpinage. The former, how- ever, being moft in demand, I will chiefly confine my obfervations to it. The foil which fuits this plant beft, is a light dry loam, of at leaft eighteen inches in depth. On fliff, {hallow foils, the roots canker and get forked. In all cafes, the ground fhould be deeply digged or fub- trenched, and ihould be well broke in the preparation. It is better not to apply ma- nure at the time of cropping with beet, but the land fliould be in good heart. The feafon for fowing is from the mid- dle of March to the firft of May 3 taking, for the fitteft time, the firft week in April. After CH« 4'] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 35! After digging, &c. roll the ground light- ly, or tread it finoothly with the foot; then draw drills an inch deep, and twelve or fourteen inches apart, according to the quality of the foil ; fow the feeds thinly ; cover them in, and finooth all with the rake. When the plants have arrived at an inch or two in height, thin them out to five or fix apart in the row ; and keep them clean of weeds at all times. Beet may be pre- ferved in Winter, by being ftored in the manner of carrot. See Sedion IX. of this Chapter. The Green fort may be raifed much in the manner as above 3 but as the tops only are ufeful in the kitchtn, it is not neceC- fary to take equal pains in preparing the ground. It is much like fpinage in its manner of growing, and is generally ufed in the fame intention. In gathering the leaves, care fhould be taken not to injure the crown of the root, as in that cafe, it would bleed much. SEC- THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [>B. SECTION V. BROCOLI DELIGHTS in a firong loam, but will dd well in any common garden land, if well enriched with ftable or cow dung. Where a fucceffion of it is required, a little fhould be fown on an open light fpot about the middle of March or firft of April, and planted out about the firft or middle of May, on an open rich fpot, in rows two feet apart, and eighteen or twenty inches in the row. The principal crop is to be fown about the firft or middle of May, and planted out in July ; and a later crop may be fown in the end of June, and planted out in Auguft : Strong loam in an open fitua- tion is the moft eligible foil. All the crops fhould be fown thinly in free foil and an open fituation. If other- wife, they will require to be pricked ouC into nurfery beds, in order to ftrengtlien them, and that they may be furnilhed with good roots. The CH, 4.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 553 The brown, green, or purple kinds, an- fwer beft for early crops, and the wLke, for the principal and late. Keep them clean of weeds, and when the plants are fairly eftabliftied and begin to grow, let a little earth be drawn up to their ftems, which will greatly promote their growth. Before the leaves expand fo as to cover the ground, let them be finally moulded up 3 and this is to be obferved alfo for cauliflower, cabbage, favoys, &c. In fine feafons, it will fometimes happen, that the early crops of brocoli get too for- ward, and are unfit to Hand the Winter frofts. When this appears to be the cafe, in the end of Odober or firfl of November the plants fhould either be lifted entirely and foughed in on another fpot, or they fhould be heeled and laid over in a floping pofition where they ftand. Being thus checked, and their hearts guarded from the weather, they will better endure the fe- yerity of Winter. Z S F. c- 354 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [fi. • SECTION VI. > r » " -if •• BRUSSELS SFROUTS. THIS is a good vegetable for Winter and Spring ufe, and is much admired by many. The fprouts which iflue from the flem are the eatable part, and are fine delicate greens ^ gqod fubftitutes for bro- coli. The foil, fituation, and the culture that anfwers for brocoli, will alfp anfwer for this plant in all refpeds. SECTION VII. CABBAGE. ' w : ' CABBAGE is plentifully .produced on garden land of almoft any kind ^ but moil abundantly on a ftrong loam of eigh- teen to twenty-four inches in depth. The land ihould always be manured for this crop, as one of the leguminous kinds fhould OH. 4.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER, 355 ihould follow it. If it is a light fand, &c. cow dung, hog dung, or loamy marl, is moft eligible ; if a flrong loam, ftable dung, fea weed, or fhell marl, as fimples ; or a . compound of all thefe, or of any of thefe with meep dung, pigeon dung, vegetable mould, or of any of the kinds of afhes ; if a clay, ftable dung, fea weed, (hell marl, or fheep dung as fimples, or a compound of lime, flable dung, fea weed, pigeon dung, and vegetable mould, or of fhell marl, ftable dung, fea weed, any of the kinds of aihes, and vegetable mould ; or of any two or more of the above. The fame manures for the fame foil, will equally anfwer for cauliflower, greens, fa- voys, &c. There are many kinds of cabbage in cultivation; but thofe molt efteemed for the garden are, the Early Dwarf; Early York ; Early Sugarloaf ; Late ditto ; Bat- terfea ; Red, for pickling ; and the large broad Dutch for cattle. For an early crop, fow of the Dwarf, York, Early Sugarloaf, or Batterfea, (but the true Early York is to be preferred), on a light open fpot about the firil or fecond Z 2 week 356 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3. week in Auguft ; and about the firft of Oc- tober plant them out on an early border, or other warm fpot, at the di (lance of a foot each way, that in Spring the one row may be cut up for Greens, which are then in general requeft, and the other may be retained to come to maturity ; and for a fucceilional crop, plant of the fame fow- ing and kinds, and alfo on the fame or a fimilar fituation, about th$ firft or middle of February, at the di ft ance of eighteen or twenty inches each way. For crops to fucceed thefe, fow of any of the above kinds every three or four weeks from the firft of February to the firft of June, on an open fpot of light land ) and plant, when fit, in an open and free fituation, at the diftance of from eighteen to twenty-four inches each way, according to the kinds, and quality of the foil. i The Red kind is to be fown in Auguft or February ; and fhould be planted out in Odober or April, on an open fpot at the diftance of two feet each way. The broad Dutch is to be fown about the firft pf beptember, and planted out in. March 5 CH. 4.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 357 March ; or in the beginning of February, -and planted out in April ; on a well-ex- pofed fpot, at this diftance of thirty inches each way. The two lafl kinds, being generally left in the ground for Winter and Spring ufe, and from the length of their ftalks, are frequently much injured by the feverity of froft, fhould be laid over in an oblique di- redlion, which both iecures them from froft, and from the bad effeds of blanch- ing rains, in rotting their hearts* SECTION VIIL . CAULIFLOWER. THIS vegetable being much efteemed, there are few who are not provided with hand or bell glafles for its early pro- duction. For this crop, the plants fhould be fown on a light open fpot, about the latter end of July, or firft. of Auguft ; and when they are fit for pricking out, fhould be put fingly into pots of four inches dia- meter, filled with rich mould, and placed Z 3 in 358 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3, in a peach or vine houfe that is not at work, or under a frame and lights, where let them enjoy free air, arid be moderately refrefhed with water. In very fevere weather, defend them from frofl, and from blanching rains, &c. till the middle of February or firft of March ; and then plant them out on an early %and well-en- riched fpot, placing two under each hand, and one under each bell glafs. If, how- ever, there is a. fufficiency of plants, it may be advifable to place one more in each, than is requifite to remain for good } as early cauliflower frequently ftart or button about the firft of April, and if. one or more of them does not, it is but the trouble of pulling them out again. For a crop to fucceed thefe, plants of the fame fowing, and which have been treated in all refpe6ts as above, may be planted in a like fituation and foil, in the open air, about the firft or middle of March, at two feet apart each way. For fucceffional crops, fow as hinted in the note, page 19., or on a^ flight hot-bed about the firft of January, and when fit, pla'nt them out in an open rich fpot of loamy CH, 4.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 359 loamy land. Sow again about the middle of March, and when fit, plant as above. And laftly, fow about the eighteenth or twentieth of May, and alfo plant as above, or on a wall-border, which has an eafl or weft afpe6t. In the Summer months, water frequent- ly in dry weather. Do not plant too deep, otherwife the hearts of the plants will not only be liable to rot through damp, but become an eafy prey to flugs, &c. In the heat of Summer, it is a good practice to break down one or two of the larger leaves, over, and fo as to cover the flower. This will prevent it from being fcorched, will keep it longer from blowing, and preferve it of a more delicate colour. The "laft crop will come in about the firft of October, and if a fufficiency was planted, will laft till the froft deftroys it. It is common to preferve thefe in cellars or other out-houfes, or in back-fheds of hot-houfes, &c. fry taking them up roots and all, and laying them in fand, &c. or by placing them in vine-houfes, peach- houfes, hot-bed frames, &c. &c. in afl Z 4 which 360 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. ffi. $. which methods care fhould be taken to keep them as dry as poflible, and to diveft them of any leaves which decay. The foil that produces this vegetable beft, is a loam neither light nor ftiff, of at leafl eighteen inches in depth, and which is well enriched with any of the common manures ufually applied to fuch foils. OF this, fee the article Cabbage. SECTION IX. CARROT* THIS, above all other vegetables, de- lights in new land, and that which produces it beft is a light, fandy loam, of eighteen or twenty inches in depth at lead. Carrots fhould never be fown with manure of any kind at the time of fowing^ being produced beft and cleaneft on land that has been manured for the preceding crop. The beft crop I ever fawy was growing on a fpot of ground (a fandy loam, and rather poor), which was trenched three fpit CH. 4.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 361 fpit deep, and which a fpade or plough had never previouily penetrated into, above nine inches. For an early crop, fow of the early horn, or orange kinds, on a flight hot-bed, about the middle of January ; or on a light, ear- ly border under hand-glafles, &c. about the firft of February. Let them be fre- quently refre flied with water, expofed to the air in freih weather, and kept clean of weeds ; alfo thin them out to about three inches fquare. The principal crop fhould be fown about the firft or middle of April, in an open expofure, in drills an inch deep, and at the diflance of twelve or fourteen apart. The long red, or orange kinds are fitteft. The chief property of this vegetable is the length and cleannefs of the root ; and for the attainment of perfection in this re- fpefl, the land fhould be trenched or fub- trenched to the depth of eighteen inches at leaft, and well broke in the operation of trenching. Before drilling, the furface mould be lightly rolled, or evenly trodden with the foot, otherwife the feed is apt to be unequally buried. When 362 THE K/TGHEN GARDENER. [B. 3. the plants have arrived at the height of two or three inches, thin them out to the diftance of five or fix apart ^ but this operation fhould not be perform- ed in very dry weather, or when the ground is in a dry ftate, efpecially if the plants have rifen thickly, as thereby the remaining ones will be much hurt, thofe which are pulled out, both loofening and leaving the ground about them full of holes to the depth of their extremities. The ground fliould be immediately hand- hoed, whether it be foul or clean of weeds, and that with the view of doling the holes about the remaining plants. For want of the above precaution are many crops of carrots much injured. Keep them clean of weeds at all times, and pull out fuch as run to feed, thefe be- ing both ufelefs, and greatly exhaufting the ground. Such part as are to be preferved for win- ter or fpring ufe, fhould be built in walls of about thirty or thirty-fix inches thick, with dry clean fand. If thicker, they are apt to heat. They fliould alfo be taken up when the ground is in a dry ftate, if poffi- ble ; CH. 4-] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 363 ble>; but if this is not the cafe, they {hould, previous to building, be laid thin in the barn, flied, &c. for eight or ten days. The fituation where they are to be ftored, fhould be cool, dry, well aired, and capable of being defended from froft. SECTION X. CELERY. THIS vegetable is much in requeft in moft families ; and in many, as long a fucceffion of it* as can be produced is re- quired. For the firft crop, fow about the firft of January, either as hinted in page 19., or on a hot-bed ; for a fecond, by the firft of Fe- bruary as above, or on an early border ha- ving a fouth afped, and cover either with a frame and lights, or hand-glafles, &c. for a third, by the firft of March, alfo on an early border; and for a fourth and laft, about the firft of April on an open fpot. This will generally be the crop moft to be depended 364 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3* depended on, the others frequently run- ning to feed. In all which cafes, light rich mould is to be chofen. I have found vegetable mould of decayed tree-leaves, of infinite advantage for the early crops i The manner of planting, fituation, and foil, for all the crops, fhould be the fame, and the following is moft approved : The plants in all cafes are to be pricked out in- to nurfery beds, which ftrengthens them much, and makes them put forth fine young fibres 3 and when they are fit for planting they are to be planted in rows, twenty inches afunder, and eight inches in the row, acrofs trenches of eight feet wide, having fpaces of four feet between them, whereon to lay the mould that is dug out of them, which is to be done to the depth of fix inches only, this, together with the depth of the foil of faid fpaces, being fufficient for moulding up with. This is to be un- derftood, however, of land that is at leaft two feet deep, and which lies dry ; as, on the contrary, the plants are to be planted on the furface, and the fpaces between, are to CH. 4»] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 365 to be a foot or two more, to afford a fuffi- ciency of foil for blanching with. The foil beft adapted to the production of Celery, is a rich loam of a middling . texture j and the fitted manure is a com- pofition of ftable dung, and vegetable earth ; but ftable dung alone, which is pretty well reduced, wrill do very well. Light fandy loam well enriched with cow dung, will alfo produce Celery in abun- dance. Celery growTs well, and arrives j to a good fize, in peat-earth. In moulding up, a dry day is always to be chofen, and too much is never to be applied at a time, left the hearts of the plants be covered, in which cafe they are fure to rot, if damp weather enfue. Ce- lery may be fuccefsfully preferred for many months in fand, &c. in the fame manner as carrots. See the preceding fedion. SEC- 366 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. SECTION.XL CARDOONS ARE^n requeft in many families. They are moft fuccefsfully produ- ced on a deep fandy loam, not too rich. Prepare fingle trenches, in manner as is pradiied by many for celery, at the di- flance of four or five feet from centre to centre, and juft as deep and wide as a fingle fpit will make them, laying the mould in the interfpaces. Point in a little compoft manure in the bottom; draw a drill an 'inch deep in the centre of the trench, and drop the feeds at two inches apart. The feafon is, from the middle of May to the middle of June. When the plants are two or three inches in height, thin them out to about nine or ten apart. Mould up in all refpefts as for celery, with this difference only, that the leaves muft be gathered, and tied together each time w^ith a bit of old matting, other- wife the mould would get between them in the procefs of blanching, Cardoons CH. 4«] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 367 Cardoons may alfo be preferred in win- ter, in the lame manner as carrots, celery,1 &c. SECTION XII. FRENCH BEANS ARE moft fuccesfully produced in a rich, light, dry loam, and are moft prolific without manure, at the time of lowing or planting. For an early crop, fow in a hot-houfe, hot- bed, or under hand-glafles, of the Speck- led Dwarf, about the firfl of April, and plant them out, when fit, at the bottom of a wall or other fence, having a fouth af- pecl. For a fecond crop, fow in drills two feet apart, of the Speckled Dwarf, Bat- terfea, Negro, Liver-colour, &c. on an ear- ly border, or other warm fpot, about the middle of April or firft of May; for a third crop, of the fame kinds, on an open expofure about the middle of June 3 and for a fourth and laft, of the Scarlet or White Runners, on a like fituation, in drills three feet apart, about the firft or middle of 368 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [fi. .3, of July. Thefe muft have flicks to run on, and will generally produce till froft deftroy s them. Keep them clean of weeds, and let them be earthed up, firft, when the plants are about three inches high, and finally, when about nine or ten. SECTION XIIL GARLICK WILL grow freely on almofl any kind of garden land. Plant the cloves in rows twelve inches apart, and fix in line, any time from the firft of March to the firft of May. It requires no other attention than be- ing kept clean of weeds, and being lifted when the leaves begin to decay. SECTION XIV, GREENS, I HAT is, Savoys, Cale, or Kail, Ger- man Greens, &c., are cultivated in all jrefpe&s much in manner of cabbage ; and are T CH. 4-] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 369 are generally planted in an opea and well-" expofed fituation. The times of fowing are February, March, May, June and Au- gufl ; and of planting, March, May, July, Auguft and September. But where a con- ftant fucceffion is required, they may be planted every three or four weeks from February to September. The diftance is from twelve to twenty-four inches each way, according to the ftrength of the land, feafon of the year, fize and age they are fuffered to grow to, &c. SECTION XV. HORSE-RADISH. THIS is. a wholefome root, is much ufed, and in conftant demand. It does beft on a rich fandy loam, but will grow freely enough in common garden earth of any kind, provided it be a foot in depth. It is propagated mofl fpeedily by part- ing the crowns of the roots into flips ; but any part of the root, having an eye, will A a grow THE KITCHEN GARDENER, [B. 3. grow and become a plant. The feafon is Odober, November, March, or April. Plant in trenches fix or eight inches deep, fifteen apart, and fix inches afunder in the trench ; or in deep drills ; or with the fetting flick, according to the fize of the roots or flips. This plant requires no other culture than being kept clean of weeds ; and where it is required in perfection, new planta- tions being made every three or four years. SECTION XVI. LEEKS. THIS is a hardy vegetable, and does well on moft kinds of garden land, but is produced in greateft abundance on a ftrong loam. The ground fhould always be manured for this crop, efpecially if for fpring ufe, as, in that cafe, leeks exhauft the ground much. It may be any of the Iqnds moft properly applicable to the foil. The CH. 4.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 37! The feed is to be Town on a bed of light, rich loam, at any time from the firft of February to the firft of April. The true Scotch (broad-leaved or flag) Leek is to be preferred. The feafon of planting is, from the firft of June to - the firft of Au- guft 3 and they are to be planted in rows twelve or fourteen inches afunder, and five or fix in the row. The moft appro- ved method is to make deep holes with the fetting-ftick, thruft the plant to the bottom, and let the hole remain open. This is done with the middle-lized into two or three ; and the fmall, plant whole. Plant within forty-eight hours of cutting, and »not fooner than twenty-four : whereby the fets are of a moderate iize and ftrength, nor QH. 4.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 38! nor is there any wafte ; are fufficiently dri- ed to refill corruption, and not too much to prevent inftant vegetation #. The method of planting the moots is juftly exploded. I have, for one, given it fair and frequent trials, and I am convin- ced it is of little utility. The curl is a difeafe, which has given the cultivators of this plant much trouble, nor has there, as yet, perhaps, been any effectual remedy difcovered f . It has been fuppofed to be occafioned, ei- ther, iy?, by an infect being lodged in the eye * By comparifon, and obfervations made laft feifon in different parts of the country, I am convinced of the utility of uiing f coops for taking out the eyes or fets, in times of fcarcity ; as the remaining part of the root may be ufed for cattle or pigs. The fcoop, however, fhould be of the deepeft fort, that is, rather more than a hemifpliere, whofe diameter is an inch ; for if fhal- lower, the fet will be too weak. f 1 have juft learned, that a refpeclable gentleman in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, is convinced, by ac- tual experiments made by himfelf, that the caufe of the curl, lies' in the feed being over ripened \ and he advifes, as a remedy for this difeafe, that potatoes, intended for feed, ihould not be planted before the ijth of May ; and they mould be tal^en up in a much greener ilate thaq tliofe intended for culinary purpofes. THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3, eye of the fet, finee frequently we find clean and infected 'ft ems'- iffuing from the fame root, and which continue diftiiidly ib throughout. 2-dly, By being planted in too heavy or wet land. $dlf, By being plant- ed in too poor and hungry land. 4//&, By the fame land having been too frequently and too recently cropped with potatoes. And laftly,&$ is the moft general opinion, for want of changing the feed. At any rate, it is a malady, which every one ought to endeavour to remedy. What follows are given as hints with that intent, and which, it is hoped, the candid will ap- ply, or improve, as they may feem to merit. In refpecl of the firft opinion, whether It be really an infecS, or whether it be not rather in confequence of the fet being, by fome unknown caufe, difeafed, merits in- vert igat ion. That it is an infed:, I cannot bring myfelf to think. But that it may proceed from difeafe in the fet or root, feems to carry reafon along with it. What might occafion this difeafe, may either proceed from the feed being injured by froft, by damp, mould, or being over dried. And it is well underflood, that, from no difeafed CH« 4«] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 383 difeafed feed, fhoots or fpawn, need we ever exped to raife plants as healthy, or that lhall ever become fo, as from clean, frefh, and well-matured feed, &c. In refped of the fecond and third opi- nions, as in fad: they embrace the fame thing, fince they imply, that neither of the fituations are congenial to the nature and inclination of the plant in queftion, I have juft to fay, that if a plant mall be ftinted in growth, from any caufe whatever, dif- eafe will inevitably follow. On annuals of a quick growth, fuch as the plant in queftion, this is fooner perceptible than on others. In refped of the fourth opinion, which certainly carries with it a ftrong prefump- tion of the cafe, if we admit there is pro- priety in changing crops, and that all cu- linary plants, \vhich are not natives, dege- nerate lefs or more, if confirmed in the fame foil fucceffively, we may reafonably fuppofe it probably proceeds hence. And yet it hath been proved, in fome inftances, that this is not the cafe, by potatoes being conti- nued for many fucceffive feafons on the fame Ipot, without any appearance of the curl, iipugh they degenerate in fize and fhape. In 384 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3. In refpecS of the laft and moft prevalent opinion, viz. for want of changing the feed, by which is to be underftood, from one farm, &c. to another, or from one country or diftricl: to another, much might be faid on both fides of the queftion. But I muft beg to fay? that it by no rneans'car- rjes convidion to me, that this is the caufe, or indeed, that it can poffibly operate in the fmalleft degree towards it. On the contrary, the curl has frequently been brought to places where it was never known before, by this miftaken notion. But, may not the feed be as effectually changed on the fame farm, or garden, if of any coniiderable extent, as by being carried from one parifh or country to an- other ? Are potatoes improvable, like wine, by*being fea-borne, or land-borne, without being afterwards planted in foil, different from that in which the laft grew ? Certainly no. And ihall he who has his feed brought from land, non-defcript, and which he never faw, be certain of planting again in that which is eflentially different in quality ? May it not as probably hap- pen, that, per chance, he fhall plant in land exadly CH. 4.] THE KITCHEN GAROENER. 385 exadly fimilar to that in which his feed was produced ? I therefore hold, that he who (hall be at all due pains in laving wholefome feed, by diverting the crop intended for this p*ir~ pofe, of all infected plants, fo foon as they appear ; 'fee ures it from froft, damp, or much drought, till planted ; plants no weak, or infignificant fets ; plants an frefh, well-broke, moderately-enriched land, of a midling texture, rather light than othe'r- wife^ allows a fufficiency of room; and keeps clear of weeds ; bids fair for over- coming the anxiety attendant on this ma- lady *. SECTION XXI. SALSAFY, SCORZONERA, AND SK1RRET. THESE 'are all cultivated alike, and much in manner, of Carrot and Parf- nip. A free, light, deep foil, and an expo- B b fed * But the reader may fee more on this fubjeft, in a paper written by myfelf, intituled, " An Inquiry into " the caufe of Difeafes in Plants ; with hints for their " Cure or Prevention ;" lately publifhed in Edinburgh. THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3, fed fituation, are moft eligible. The fea- fon for fowing is all the month of April 3 fowing in drills an inch "deep, and twelve or fourteen apart ; thinning out to five or ii^ afunder, in line ; and keeping clean of weeds. Thefe roots may alfo be preferved in Winter, as already hinted. SECTION XXII. SHALLOTS ARE a precarious crop, being equal- ly fubjed to injury by too much drought or wet. A rich dry loam and free expofure are moft eligible. A fixed feafon of planting can hardly be deter- mined, and it is moft advifable to perform this operation at different times, viz. No- vember, January, and February. Plant either in four feet beds 'at eight inches fquare, or in rows a foot apart, and four inches in the row. Keep clean of weeds, and whenever any of the plants begin to canker and become maggoty, CH. 4.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 387 maggoty, pull them up ; as otherwife the whole will be quickly affected. Neither fhould the crop remain in the ground af- ter the leaves begin to decay, but fhould be taken up, gradually dried in an open fhed, &c. and afterwards ftored in manner of onions. SECTION XXIII. SPINAGE. FOR the Summer crops, all foils will anfwer; but for the Winter, light rich loam, and a dry fituation are fitter!. Manure is feldom applied, except for the fake of what is to follow ; yet, by a mode- rate dunging, the Winter crops are much benefited, and will grow more luxuriantly in Spring. For the Spring and Summer crops, fow of the rouiid-feeded 'kind, thinly, in drills a foot apart, from the firfl of February to the firft of Auguft, at intervals of ten days each , and for the Winter, of the prickly kind, any time from the middle of July to B b 2 the 388 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. $, the middle of Auguft, alfo in drills as above. Some prefer fdwing broadcaft; but I believe it is a matter of little impor- tance, provided the plants are kept equal- ly clean, which mode be pradtifed. By {owing in drills, however, the crop is ga- thered with lefs difficulty, and is much ea- fier kept clean. Being of a quick growth, weeding or hoeing is feldom neceflary for the Summer crops. For the Winter, once or twice will generally be fufKcient. Spinage may fuecefsfully be tranfplant- ed \> by which method alfo, a fucceffiori may be had of the fame fowing. SECTION XXIV. SEA CALE. THIS vegetable is mofl fuecefsfully produced in light rich fand, of fif- teen or eighteen inches in depth. It will do pretty well, however, on all lightifh loams, that are well mixed with fharp or drift fand. In ftiff foils, it makes little progrefs, CH. 4«] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 389 progrefs, and is alfo apt to perifh in Win- ter. The manner of culture is fimple j and the plants may either be raifed from feed, or by offsets from the root, which come up in abundance in Spring, and are the eatable part of this vegetable. The moft eligible method is to fow or plant (in March or April) in rows, a yard afunder; and the plants are to fland, for good, at the diftance of ten or twelve inches in the row. As the fprouts rife in the Spring, let a little earth be drawn to their ftems, in order the fafler to blanch them, and render them fit for ufe. Keep clean of weeds at all times, and in Autumn or Spring let a little compofl manure, or well-rotten dung, be flightly pointed in, fo as not to injure the roots ; at the fame time fhedding a little mould on the rows ; following much the afpara- gus mode of culture. B b 3 SEC- 39° THE KITCHEN GARDENER. JJB. 3, SECTION XXV. TURNIPS, THE lighted foil in the garden is generally beft adapted to their cul- ture, and it Ihould alfo be well enriched, If it is to be manured for the turnip crop, compoft is preferable to fimples. In either cafe, all the kinds of afhes, foot, and pi- geon-dung, are to be avoided. Strong loams, however, if not wet, are abundant- ly productive of this vegetable, provided they be well broke in the operation of digging, trenching, fallowing, Sec. The firfl of March is foon enough to fow, as we feldom fee plants fown fooner come to any good ; they generally run to feed and canker. A few may be fown on an early border, but thefe are not much to be depended on ; an open fituation being the beft at all times of the feafon. For producing a conftant fucceffion, make it a rule to fow fo foon as the la ft appears- above ground ; and repeat this till the firft of Auguft. The e^rly white Dutch CH. 4.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 39! Dutch is generally fown for the Summer crops, and the yellow * for Winter, for table and market ufe. They are generally fown broad-call, and thinned out to from nine to fifteen inches apart, according to the quality of the foil. In gardening, however, Turnips are alfo frequently fown in drills, from twelve to twenty-four inches apart, and fingled out to fix or eight in line. In all cafes, the plants fhould be care- fully kept clean from weeds ; and in dry weather, the early crops fliould be fre- quently refrefhed with water. The fly is often very troublefome, but as they only prey for a few days on the infant plants, the moft effectual way to fe- cure a crop is to fow thick, thereby fa- tiating them. Neverthelefs, they fre- quently deftroy them in patches, and fome B b 4 in * It is Cngular, that Yellow Turnip fhould be fo little ufed in England. In London, I believe, it is hardly- known. Yet it is certainly much fuperior to the* white, both in point of flavour and nutriment ; nor is it in- jurable by froft in the fame degree. For cattle feeding, three loads of yellow are equal to four of white ; and they are generally a more certain cropland aifo more productive. , 392 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3. in that cafe, fow again on the fame {pot £ but this is feldom attended with fuccefs, as they are either deftroyed again by the fly, or do not keep pace with the other part of the crop, fo as to make this an objedt worth the trouble. Before concluding this chapter, I would obferve, that all feeds and plants fhould be committed to the ground as it is turned over, or as foon after as conveniency will permit. It is theij in the moft a6live flate, and vegetation inftantly commences. Nei- ther fhould ground ever be digged in a very wet flate, except, perhaps, fometimes in fallowing. CHAP- CH. 5«] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 393 CHAPTER V. CULTURE OF SALLADS AND HERBS, SECTION I. SALLADS. Chervil, Crefs and Mujlard. THESE articles are all raifed much in the fame manner ; and where there is the conveniency of a few hand- glafles, a hot-bed frame, or hot-houfe of any defcription, with the addition of a few boxes, tubs, or large pots, may be had every day in the year, in abundance, by the trouble of fowing once a-week, or ten days, as occafion fhall require. To fay jnore of them, would be trifling with time. Endive. 394 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [fi. 3. Endive. Although I have ranked this vegetable as a fallad, it is alfo frequently ufed in the kitchen j and by many is much in de- mand. It fucceeds beft on a light, dry, loam. , On wet land, it feldom fails to rot in au- tumn. Neither fhould the ground be ma- nured for this crop at the time of planting. For the firft crop, fow of any of the kinds, preferring the green curled how- ever, in a light open fpot, about the firft of June, and plant about the firft or middle of July, in rows from fifteen to eighteen inches apart, and nine in the row, on an open expofure. For a full crop, fow alfo of any of the kinds as above, about the middle of July, and alfo plant as above, about the middle or latter end of Auguft, A late crop may be fown about the middle of Auguft, and planted out in Sep- tember, on a light, dry border, in a fouth afpedt. Some plant Endive in drills or trenches, and others on the furface. In dry foils, the CH. 5.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 395 the former method is advifable ; but in wet ones, the latter mode fhould be pradifed. Keep the plants clean of weeds; and let them be earthed up at two or three differ- ent times, in order to blanch the leaves. This is alfo effected by tying them up, but in wet feafons they are apt to rot. Endive may be fuccefsfully preferved in Winter, by being laid in dry fand, in the cellar, ihed, or under a frame and lights, &c. In this latter intention, however, the beft me- thod is to form the plantations of Endive into beds anfwerable to the fize of the frames ; placing thefe on late in Autumn, on the approach of bad weather ^ and ad- mitting air freely at other times. Indian Crefs Is often ufed in fallads, and makes a beautiful garnifli. The flowers are the ufeful part for this purpofe, and the feeds make a fine pickle. Any foil will anfwer ; and the moft eligible fituation is againft a dead fence, or unfightly wall, which it will .rapidly cover and beautify. The KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3. The feafon for fowing, is any time from the fniddle of February to the firfl of June, itt drills an inch deep, and in manner of peas, &c. Lettuce Is fuccefsfully cultivated on all foils, in all fituations, and almoft at all feafons» The times of fowing are from January to O6tobef, at intervals of from one to four weeks, according to the feafon and de- mand ; and of planting, from the firfl: of February, to the firft of November, at in- tervals alfo as above. The kinds are numerous ; and thofe moft to be preferred, are the true green cofs, hardy green, and brown Dutch, f6r ftand- ing the Winter. Thefe are to be planted in October, or beginning of November, at the bottom of a wall or other fence liaymg #. louth afped and dry bottom j or under a frame and lights, hand-glaileSj border in the peach or vine houfe, &c. &c. in which cafe they are to be duly refrefhed with wa- ter, have air freely admitted to them in frefh weather, and to be defended from fe^ yere frofts, or blanching rains. Lettuce CH. 5«] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 397 Lettuce is frequently forced on hot-beds in the Spring. In this pradice it is necef- fary to beware of too much heat ; to refrefti duly with water; and to admit large por- tions of air in frefh weather ; for this plant will bear but little artificial warmth with patience. Parpy Is both ufed as a fallad and in the kitchen, and is in conftant demand. Some force it in hot-beds, Scc.'but a Winter ftore is bet- ter fecured by covering with a frame and lights, or hand-glafles, part of the prece- ding Summer's crop ; which, for this pur- pofe, fhould be fown about the fir ft of June. Other crops are to be fown in beds, or rows round the quarters, walks, &c. of the gar- den, from the firft of February to this timeF as circumftances fhall dired; and of the kinds moft in demand. The Hamburgh Par/ley is an excellent diuretic, and is ufed in foups, in the man- ner of carrot, &c. It fliould be fown in March, in drills an inch deep and a foot apart ; and when fit, fliould be thinned out to 398 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [u. J* to three or four in line. A few drills may be fown in July, for Winter and Spring ufe, where a fucceffion is required. j . . Pur/lane May alfo be raifed in all refpe&s, in manner of chervil, crefs, &c. Being of a fucculent nature, it likes a dry fand the befl. It does not ftand froft well, and therefore fhould not be fown out of doors, fooner than the firft of April. Radijb Is plentifully produced on all foils, and is fown from January to September, with fuccefs, at intervals of from one to three weeks. The fhort-top and falmond are moft proper for early Spring; the white and red turnip for Summer; and the black Spanifh for Winter ufe; but thefe three laft named will ftand the Winter in gene- ral, and for this purpofe ihould be fown on light foil, about the firft of September. Being flickered with a frame and lights, or hand-glafles, would be of advantage for the CH. 5«] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 399 the white and red turnip kinds; in which cafe, air muft be freely admitted in frefh weather, and water moderately applied. In the latter end of Spring, the fhort-top, and falmond kinds frequently get fticky, and run for feed fooner than fucceffional crops can be got forward, in fultry wea- ther. To remedy this inconveniency in a great meafure, it may be gratifying to the admirers of this fallad to know, that by clofely pinching off the tops, drawing them upwards half an inch, fo that the tap- fibres be juft broke, and letting them re- main till wanted, they will keep frefh and good above a week afterwards, until the fucceffional crops come forward. In forcing of this fallad on dung-heat, what is faid above refpeding lettuce, will apply. SECTION II. POT HERBS. Bafil. THIS is a tender exotic, and requires artificial heat to forward it in Spring. About the firft of March, fow, either on a gentle 4OO THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. ^, gentle dung-ljeat, in a yine or peach houfe, or as hinted in page 19, in rich, light mould ; and tranfplant, when fit, on a well-expofed, rich, light fpot of ground, in rows a foot afunder, and three inches in the row. Of this plant there are two forts, the tall and the bufb j and they are both ufed in the fame intention. For foups, &c. they are much in demand, on account of their high flavour. Such part as is to be kept for winter ufe, fhould be cut over, fo foon as full in flower, and gradually dried in an open fhed, &c. Borage* This is both ufed as a pot-herb, and for cool tankards. It fhould be fown in a light, dry fpot, in March, April, May, and June. Wherever it has been fown lafl year, will, if let ftand till of maturity, be fhown this; nor is it eafy to clear the foil of it, as its feeds lie long in the earth, keep frefh, and fo fpring again. Fennel CH. 5.] TtfE KITCHEN GARDENER. 40! Fennel May either be raifed from feed, or may be propagated by flips of the root. It will grow freely, in any foil that, is not very ftiff. — A few plants of it will ferve a large family. Marigold Is to be fown in the fpring months, in two or three fucceflions, from the middle of February, to the fir ft of May. The flowers only are ufeful. Marjoram, Savory and Thyme. The fame culture anfwers all. Sow in beds of light earth, in a free fituation, about the middle of March, or firft of April. When the plants are a few inches high, thin them out to fix apart each way 3 or tranfplant into rows nine or ten inches afunder, and three in line. If the knotted marjoram, or fweet favory are wanted ear- ly, a little may be raifed in manner of the Bafil as above. C c Green 4O2 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [fi. J. Green Thyme, pot Marjoram, and Winter Savory, may be kept frefli all winter, if re- quired, by being flickered with hand-glafles, a frame and lights, &c. but when properly dried, they have the fame effect in foup, broth, &c. and this is feldom pradifed. Thefe laft are moft generally propagated by flips, planted in April, July, or Auguft, ia light, rich earth, at fix inches apart. Mint, That is, fweet, or fpear mint, is propa- gated moft fpeedily by flips of the root. The feafon is March or April. It may ei- ther be planted in rows, nine or ten inches afunder, or on four foot beds. Rich, light loam will- produce it in higheft perfection. If it is wanted early, a little forced on a flight dung- heat in manner of afparagus, either under a frame and lights, or hand- glafles, will generally ferve till it comes in the natural ground. Sage. » This plant is propagated, either by flips of the root; or by cuttings, with facility. For fcH. 5.] TfcE KITCHEN GARDENER. 403 For the former method, March or Septem- ber is the feafon. For the latter, any time from May to Auguft. Sage thrives, and alfo ftands the Winter beft in lightifh, fandy loam, and a free expofure. Its leaves for Winter life, are to be cut when full in flower, and gradually dried in a fhed, &c. Sorrel Will grow almoft any where, nor is it eafily eradicated from the foil afterwards. Slips planted in March, or indeed any time, will not fail to grow vigorously. The French and the common forts are both pro- pagated alike. I'unfy and T'arragon. What has been faid above will apply here, except that Tarragon will fome- times, if in a wet fituation, perifh in Win- ter. Cc2 CHAP, 404 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [B. 3. CHAPTER VI. - ' '•« - '; ON THE ROTATION OF CROPS. AS in agriculture, fo in gardening, a proper rotation of crops is of great importance, and the reaforiable and ufeful pradice of cropping a part of their ground every feaf on, with fome of the fpecies of grain or grafles, is becoming prevalent among market gardeners ; which, befides being ufeful for their cattle, is found of in- finite advantage to their ground. This matter, however, can by no means be fo effectually accomplifhed in the gar- den, as in the farm, for thefe reafons : it is fmaller, and the articles to be [cultivated are more numerous, and alfo more a-kin ta one another. The different articles, however, might with propriety be clafled in this cafe, as, Brocoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Savoys; Beans, French-beans, and Peas j Carrot, Beet, Parfnip, and Turnip ; Leeks, Onions^, Shallots,, CH. 6.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 405 Shallots, &c. Celery, Endive, and Lettuce, &c. &c. Celery is an excellent preparative for af- paragus, onions, or cauliflower ; turnip, or potatoes, for cabbage or greens; brocoli or cabbage, for beans or peas ; cauliflower, for onions, leeks, or turnip; afparagus land that has lain long, for carrot or potatoes ; (currant, goofeberry, rafpberry, and ft raw- berry land, may anfwer the fame purpofe) ; turnip, for celery or endive ; peas, &c. for clover, as a reftorative, with which barley or oats might be fown. In this latter cafe, however,* the two pre- ceding crops mould not be manured, as otherwife, at leaft in mofl inftances, the barley, &c. would be apt to grow rank, to the detriment of the clover. After the land has lain one or two fea- fons thus, it will again be fit for the recep- tion of an efculent crop, of any kind, as carrot, afparagus, potatoes, &c. Clover, with barley or oats, may alfo very properly be laid down as a reftorative for land of any kind, which has been long under efculent crops without- a proper C c 3 change, 406 THE KITCHEN GARDENER. [6.3. change, and is confequently foul and can- kering. If it is fuffered to lie two feafons, the land will again be prepared for culinary vegetables of any kind. As a change for land as above, and which cannot be fpared from efculent crops above one feafon, a crop of barley, oats, rye, or wheat, as a cleanfer, may be advantageouily taken ; which will, in a great meafure, refrefh, reftore, and again render it fit for the production of whole- fome kitchen vegetables. In all cafes, a ftudied rotation is to be advifed, and fuch an one as that no crop of the fame clafs may immediately follow another. For the more effectual ^ccomplifla- ment of which, the garden fhould be regu- larly divided into quarters, numbered, and a journal kept, wherein is recorded what refpe&s the cropping, manuring, trenching or fallowing of each of them. — Thus : — No. i. (1793.) Subtrenched after afpa- ragus, for carrot, without manure. Win- ter fallowed, (1794.) Early cauliflower, with a moderate dunging, 2d Mar. Yellow turnip, with a compoft drefling, 2Oth July. 0795-) CH. 6.] THE KITCHEN GARDENER. 407 (1795.) Onions, without manure, 8th Feb. Cabbage, with a light dunging, 5th O&. (1796.) Charlton peas, for a late crop, without manure, loth June ; trenched three fpit deep, in Dec. Winter fallowed. (I79?0 Potatoes, with a moderate dunging, 20th Mar. German greens, without ma- nure, loth Sept. : intended for leeks next June. This (ketch is taken from my Journal formerly kept, and is here given as an ex- ample only j which every judicious garden- er is requefted to alter or improve, as he niay find convenient. NEILL& Co. > Printers. Lev-el .HE . 1*1. ATI; . i\ . PLATK . \T r s.tculpl ' INDEX. A. A P°Se" /\CARUS, or red-fpider, how to deftroy the, - 61 Accident worth relating, nj Admiifion of air to the afparagus bed, 14, 22 to the cucumber bed, 31, 3^, 42 to the cherry -houfe, - 56 to the fig-houfe, . 73 to the grape- houfe, 105 to the melon beds, - 129 to the peach-houfe, to the pinery, — to the green-houfe, - 212 Air, rule for the beft method of admitting, 107 iiagnant, its bad effeds in the orchard, - 296 Animal fubftances are good manures, - 337 Aphis, or green fly, how to deftroy the, 60, 280 Apples, training and pruning of, 259 proper foil for, in the orchard, 287 1 lift of, for the orchard, 290 Apricots, 4*° J N D E X. Apricots, training and pruning of, - 2^5 i ' - thinning of, - - 278 Artichokes, culture of, 339 Afhes of whins, an excellent manure,, 332 Afparagus, forcing of, - 9 • • iize of a pit for forcing, ' -•' j Q .. --- forcing of, on a dung hot-bed^ • n -- — how to obtain an Autumn crop of, ib. ----- bed, admiflion of air to' the - 14 - • ---- temperature of the, ib. - ----- how to draw offrank ileam from the, 15 . ----- lining the, ift. - -- ? ---- watering of the, r\ i§ — buds, when fit to cut, - ib,. — twifling off the, preferable to cut- ting them, 17 how to produce a fucceffion of, ib. - mould fitteft for, in forcing, 18 — forcing of, in flued pits, - 19 culture of, in the garden, 341 for the different kinds of wall-trees, of the proper, 253 --- for a garden, of the proper, 321 B. Bark-bed in the pinery, how to prepare the, 177 Bafil, culture of, 399 Beans, culture of, 338 Beet, 352 Beft materials for garden- walls, of the, 246 Black frontinac grape defcribed, 88 — mufcadine, - ib* — -- Hamburgh, - 89 Black INDEX. 411 Page. Bl^ck mufcat of Alexandria, 91 • clufter, ib. • - Conilantia, 93 Book I. introduction to, I Borage, culture of, - 400 Border in the cherry-houfe, preparing of the, 47 fig-houfe, how to prepare the, 68 grape-houfe, preparation of the, 77 peach-houfe, 147 Borders for fruit-trees, conftru&ion of, 243 — of their breadth and depth, 249 - method of forming a bottom for, 250 Bricks, the beft material for garden-walls, 246 Brick-bats are an excellent manure for clayey land, 329 Brocoli, culture of, 352 Brufiels-fprouts, culture of, 354 c. Cabbage, culture of, 354 Canvas-fcreens, their great utility on hot- walls, &c. 169 — — • garden walls, 247 Cardinal improvement, - 224 Cardoons, culture of, 366 Carrot, culture of, 360 Catterpillar, how to deftroy the, - 61 Cauliflower, culture of, 357 Celery, 363 Cherries, culture of, in hot-houfes, 46 — kinds of, fitted for forcing, 49 . training of, in the forcing-houfe, 50 - culture of, in the confervatory, peach- houfe, &c, - £4 Cherries, JNDEX Page, Cherries, training and pruning of, on walls and efpa- liers, 257 lift of, for the orchard, *:;.;*; r.- Cherry-houfe, on the conftru&ion of the, 46 —. on planting in the, jr;j- ** on the temperature of the, '• ^ ^ , on the admiffion of air to the, 56 watering and fteaming of the, 58 Chervil, culture of, _ - Cljdefdale orchards, of their fituation and improve- ment, 28i of the negleft of, - V— 295 (jk>mpoft for melons, . 12fj „ peaches and nectarines, . 148 .. green-houfe plants, &*%!& 215 fruit trees in general, >^> •. 249 manures are to be preferred to iimples, 333 Conilantia grapes defcrfbed, . 02 Conftrucl:ion of the pine-ilove, of the, - 221 garden walls, 224 Crefs, culture of, .f^ . r 3^^ Crops, on the rotation of, - 404 Crown- glafs, its ufe in hot houfes, - 236 Cucumbers, forcing of, - 24 " early crops of, belt produced on a dung hot-bed, .. ;, 26 1 late crops of, moft fuccefsfully raifed in flued pits, - fot r feed beds for, when to prepare, 2 7 « — when to fow early, 28 , raifmg of, in the pine-ftove, &c. ib. ^ culture of, on a dung hot-bed, 29 ,». — mould, fitted for, - 36 Cucumbers, INDEX. Page. Cucumbers, pruning of, 38, 43 , impregnating of, 39 . fucceffional beds for, when to build, 44 culture of, under hand-glatTes, Sec. ib. — of the infects that infeft, and how to de- ftroy them, 45 Culture of orchard fruits, 291, 300 Curious circumftance, 118 Currants, culture of, 302 i D. Deviation from a common method, 119 Directions for managing the new hot-houfe furnace, 231 Difbuding of peaches and nectarines, 154 Diftance at which peaches mould be planted, 149 — wall-trees in general mould be planted, 257 — • — efpalier trees in general mould be planted, ib. orchard trees in general mould be planted, 291 Draining, of its utility in the orchard, 288 kitchen garden, 30$ Drawing-room, of plants kept in the, . 214 Dung hot bed, culture of cucumbers on a, 29 how to prepare, ib. Dung-hill, how to prepare the, 338 Duty of every gardener, .. 337 E. Earwig, how to deftroy the, - 281 Effect of manures defined, 337 Endive,, 4*4 I N D EX. fege. Endive, culture of, 294 Engraft grape-vines, how to, 123 Enlarge the mould-hills in hot-beds, hdw to, 41 Efpalier-rail, conftru&ion of an, - 225 Efpaliers, fituation of, 243 — --- ornamental and ufeful in the garden, 248 -. ---- of their iituation, 249 Experiment, on a dozen of pine plants, - 194 Explanation of Plate firft, ** l*;> 219 ------- fecond, . 222 ------ -- third, 226 ----- fourth, - 228 . ------- i_ fifth, a F. Fennel, culture of, - 401 Fertilize land, how to, by aeration, 231 Figs, culture of, in the hot-houfe, 67 -- kinds of, fitteft for the hot-houfe, 68 - - training and pruning of, in the hot-houfe, 69 - on walls and efpaliers, 258 Fig-houfe, conftruftion of the, - 67 --- on the temperature of the, 70 - --- admiffion of air to the, - 72 watering and {learning of the, - 73 Fire-heat, a command of, neceffary in the grape- houfe, 76 — — bricks, their ufe in the conftruclion of furnaces, flues, &c. 239 Fit mould for cucumbers, 36 Flued pit, belt adapted to forcing of afparagus, 9 — -- fize of, for forcing afparagus, 10 — • walls, manner of working, > •.-•-. Flues, INDEX. 41$ Page. Flues, of their conftru&ion, Forcing of cherries, when to commence, 54 - is an outrage done nature, nS - of ftrawberries, - 206 Frame for cucumbers, fize of a, 36 French beans, culture of, 367 Frivolous aflertion, - 16 Frontinac grapes defcribed, 88, 89 — — — - require a greater degree of heat than other kinds, 104' ---- are more fubjecl: to the red fpider than other kinds, - 114 Fruits, culture of fmall, 300 Fuel for hot-houfes, of, - 235 Furnace, plan of a, defcribed, 230 G. Garden- walls, on the conftru&ion of, 243 - happieft iituation for the, defcribed, 245 — — - engine, of its great utility, 282 Garlick, culture of, - 368 Goofeberries, culture of, 302 Gothic green-houfes not advifable, 210 Grapes, culture of, in the grape-houfe, 75 -- planting of, - 84 -- training and pruning of, 94 • on thinning the clufters of, - j 1 2 --- mould hang on the tree till dead ripe, 114 --- how to prolong the feafon of, - forcing of, in the pine-ftove, — --- how to produce fecond crops of, -- — how to engraft, - - 123 Grape-houfe, on the conftru&ion of the, - * 75 Grape-houfe, •4»<$ I N D E 2t. Page. , Grape-houfe, on the lite for a, ._. '.^ 77 temperature of the, 102 1 admiffion of air to the, 105 — on watering and {teaming the, 109 -the infects that infeft the, 114 Grape-vines, how to propagate, - 81 . feafon for planting, 85 lift of, * -f| } 3 86 > defcription of, 87 Greek grape defcribed, • 91 Green-houfe, on the construction of the, 209 — i — — at Wemyfs Caflle, of its elegance, 210 — temperature of the, - 211 admiffion of air to the, 2 1 2 • on watering the, 213 ... compoft to be ufed in the, 215 plants, general obfervations on, 216 Greens, culture of, - 368 Grizley Frontinac grape defcribed, 89 Grub, how to deftroy the, 61 H. Hamburgh grapes defcribed, 89 Hand-engine, tife of the, in the hot-houfe, 59 Hpppieft foil for the kitchen garden, of the, 326 Harvey, Mr, of his fuccefs in rearing orchard fruit, 285 Height of garden- walls, of the proper, 248 Herbs, culture of, . 393 Horfe-raddim, culture of, 369 Hot-bed for cucumbers, how to conftruct, 29 Hot-beds, the propriety o£. finking, conlidered, 27 ' ' culture of cucumbers in, 29 . . • — - melons in, - 126 Hot-beds INDEX. 417 Page. Hot-beds, how to enlarge the mould-hills in, 41 Hot-bed frames, conilru&ion of, 241 Hot-houfes mould face the meridian fun, - 78 ' . beft furnace for the ufe of, defcribed, 230 ^ of the fittefl fuel for, 235 general observations on the conflru&ion of, 236 Hot- walls, management of, 172 plan of the, defcribed, 228 I. Important rule, 321 Impregnating cucumbers, of, 39 melons, of, 132 Improvement, cardinal, in the culture of early peaches, 224 of the Clydefdale orchards, 288 of garden land, of the means of, 321 Indian-crefs, culture of, 395 Infe&s that infeft cucumbers, how to deftroy the, 45 cherries, and how to deftroy them, 60 peaches, — — pine apples, 203 — • wall-trees, • Introduction to Book Firft, I Second, 309 Iron- wire, its ufe in trelliiing, 241 Irony foils, how to improve them, 330 K. Kail, culture of, - - 368 Kindly ileam in hot-beds, a good fymptom, 32 D d Kinds 4i8 I N D E X, Page, Kinds of peaches and nectarines for forcing, 150 Kitchen vegetables do beft on new land, 318 •A— culture of, 339* > L. Leeks, culture of, . - 370 Lettuce, — — — 396 Light foils, of the manures for, 333 Lime, of its operations on the foil, 330 — -- the quantity requifite to fertilize tills, ib. Line the cucumber bed, - 35, 41 Liquor for deftroying infecls, how to prepare, 62 Lift of grapes, - . 86 -- peaches and nedarines, - 150 — -- wall-trees, - - 253 --- efpalier trees, - - 256 — - orchard fruits, - 290 Lombardy grape defcribed, - 93, i M. Manure fit for orchards, of the, 289 ---- garden land, Manures and their application, of, • 33 2- Manuring, new method of,. - 109 Marigold, culture of, - 401 Marjoram, — ---- - . ,•£. Maturation of pine apples, of the, - 200 Melons, culture of, on the dung hotVbed, ---- in — -- of impregnating, 132 Method of impregnating cucumbers, - 43 Method INDEX. 419 Page. Method of deftroying infe&s on fruit treesr, 62 . cultivating cherries in the peach-houfe, confervatory, ftoves, &c. - 64 . propagating grape-vines, 81 effectually deftroying wafps, 114 producing fecond crops of grapes, 122 . — melons, 129 improving melon feeds, 13° deftroying the pine bug, &c. . - 204 working the new hot-houfe furnace, 232 cambering rafters, of the, <- 240 forming a bottom for fruit-tree borders, the beft, 250 deftroying the green-fly, 280 earwig and wood-loufe, 281 Mildew, how to cure tfce, 1 65 Mint, culture of, - 402 Moft proper time for watering plants, - 43 Mould fitteft for forcing afparagus in, - 1.8 - — r --- cucumbers, - 36 - --- the border in the cherry-houfe, 48 — . . vinery borders, - 78 " - melons, . 127 — - • peaches and nedarine% » 147 ---- pine apples, 184 -- — — — green-houfe plants, 215 Mufcadine grapes defcribed, - 87 Mufcat grapes, . ^2 Mufhrooms, culture of, 135 Mufhroom-houfe, on, the conftru&ion of the, ib. - -* frame, how to contract, - beds, how to prepare, - 137 - -- - watering of the, 141 Mufhroom 420 INDEX, Page. Muftiroom feafon, how to prolong the, 142 Muftard, culture of, 393 N. Nectarines, culture of, in the peach-houfe, 144 — kinds of, for forcing, 150 thinning of, 162 ... culture of, on flued walls, 168 Nets, their ufe on hot-walls, &c. - 170 Nonfuch apple, lingular habit of the, 292 Nurfmg pits, conilru&ion of, for pine plants, 219 O. Obfervations, general, on green-houfe plants, 216 ..— on the conttrudion of hot-houfes, 236 . training and pruning wall-trees, &c. 272 Of the proper temperature of water for plants, 43 Old tan, ufe of, in the hot-bed, 33 _ peculiarly adapted for forcing afparagus in, 18 Onions, culture of, 372 On the proper application of manures, 332 Orchard fruits, culture of, 283 — - — n — of the kinds of, 290 Orchards, of the lituation for, 283 proper foil for, 287 . — kinds of manure for, 289 — pruning and thinning of, - 294 1 ' " — pailunng cattle in, bad efie&s pf, 298 INDEX. 421 Page. P. Parfley, culture of, 297 Parfnip, -- 375 Pafluring cattle in orchards, bad effects of, 298 - meep ---- - /£. Patience in plants, of, $j Peaches, culture of, in the peach-houfe, 144 - : --- on the flued-wall, 168 Peach-houfe, conftru&ion of the, 144 "•• -- temperature of the, - - -- admiilion of air to the, — —— watering and {teaming the, Peach feafon, how to prolong the, - 166 Pears, compofition of the borders for, 249 - training and pruning of, againft walls and efpaliers, 269 - ' of the proper foil for, - 288 -- lift of, for the orchard, 3pZ Pe'as, culture of, 376 Pine-apples, culture of, . i*™ - plants, how to propagate, - 182 » - mould fitteft for, 184 Pinery, culture of grapes in the, up — - conilrucHon of the, - 174 - temperature of the, 195 — — admiffiori of air to the, 306 - -- watering and {learning the, 198 Pines, maturation and cutting of, 200 -- ihould be cut before they are dead ripe, 201 — - manner of preferring them frelh, 202 -- how to deftroy infecV- ihat mfeft, - 203 Pine-itove, p.cOi ot a, deicriDed, 221 Plates, 4" INDEX. Page, Plates, explanation of the, 2 19 Plan of the cherry-houfe defcribed, - 222 - -- , — peach-houfe -- ,. 234 — - gr#pe-houfe --- • — - 226 --- hot wall, --- . 228 ---- mumroom-houfe -- . 229 Plums, compofition of the borders for, - 249 -- training and pruning of, againft walls and efpaliers, 271 -- lift of, for the orchard, 29 y Potatoes, culture of, . Pot herbs, -- . Pots for pines defcribed, Portugal grape defcribed, 8p Practice, an erroneous, cenfured, . 163 Precious ingredient, - . !8 Proper depth of garden land, of the, 318 Pruning cucumbers, of, 7 3 8, 43 - ---- cherries in the forcing-houfe, of, 52 - -- figs in the hot-houfe, of, ^9 - • -- grape vines, of, 94 -1 ----- in the pinery, method of, 120 — *— - melons, of, - - 129 - peaches and nectarines, jci 1 • — winter, of vines, exemplified, 235 — ' — wall-trees, general obfervations on, 272 -- orchard trees, on, 294 -- -- goofeberries and currants, of, 302 Purflane, culture of, 398 R. Kadifh, culture of, . . 398 Rafpberries, culture of, . - 303 Receipt INDEX. 423 Page. Receipt for the deftruction of infects on fruit-trees, 62 — — mofs, &c. 297 Ked-fpider, how to deftroy the, 61 Red Frontinac grape defcribed, 8& — raifin, — — — — — — 90 Ridging-bed for cucumbers, how to prepare, 35 Ridging land, of the effects of, 33! Rotation of crops, of the, « 404 Royal mufcadine grape defcribed, 87 Rule for thinning of peaches and nectarines, 162 . proportioning garden- walls and borders, 249 • turning and trenching the bark-bed, 178 "' — the beft method of admitting air, 107 — — trenching and improving garden land? 321 S. Sage, culture of, . 402 Sallads, . 393 Salfafy, 385 Savoys, - . 368 Savory, 401 Sea-cale, . 388 Sea- weed, an excellent manure, - 33 5 Seafon of grapes, how to prolong the, 115 — peaches, — . . 1^55 for fhifting green-houfe. plants, 217 planting wall and efpali«r trees, 258 ______ — orchard trees, . 292 — — — - pruning orchard trees, 196 Sections of a furnace explained, 230 Shallots, culture of, - 386 Situation of gardens, of the proper, 243 • orchards, 283 Skirret 424 INDEX. Page, Skirret and fcorionera, culture o£7 385* Soil for orchard fruits, of the proper, 287 — in the garden, of the variety of, ' ^^ 325 Sorrel, culture of, - 403 Spinage, --- *£ 387 Squares of turf, thi^r ufe in the conftruftion of hot- beds, ^w > _ ^ St Peter's grape defcribed, . 93 Steam, quality of, for the hot-houfe, confidered, 60 - -- how to draw off, from the hot -bed, 1. "* 15 Steaming the cherry^ houfe, of, . 58 --- apparatus, of the utility of the, 60 — - --- the fig-houfe, of, 73 — -- • grape-houfe, of, 109 -- : -- peach- houfe, of, — pinery, Strawberries, forcing of, - - 206 _, --- — culture of, in the orchard, - 304 ----- produce beft in iingle rows, 305 Succeffion of cherries, how to produce a, - 64 Sweet water grape, description of the, - 87 Syrian grape defcribed, - oo -- - ---- the beft for a flock to graft on, 124 T. Tan, old, its ufe in the hot-bed, 13 Tanfy, culture of, - 403 Tarragon, ---- ,. . ib. Temperature of the afparagus hot bed, 22 • — • -- cucumber-bed, :;,& 33 ' of water for plants, of the proper, 43 — --- ., ., , — the cherry -houfe, — -- 54 Temperature I N D E X. 423 Page. Temperature of the fig-houfe, of the proper, 70 — ~ grape-houfe, • 102 . — melon-pit, 133 ... nmfhrooin-houfe, 141 ~ peach houfe, • 156 pinery, 195 green-houfe, — -*- — 211 Temporary trees, of planting in the orchard, 292 Thinning the clutters of grapes, on, 1 1 1 ' — peaches and nectarines of, - 162 wall-fruit in general, of, 272' Thyme, culture of, . 401 Tokay grapes defcribed, - 90, 91 Training cucumbers, of, - 43 cherries in the forcing-houfe, of, 50 ~ figs, 69 • grape-vines, of, 94 __ in the pinery, method of, 120 — — — of peaches and nectarines, - 151 • wall and efpalier trees, on, + 259 •• general obferva- tions on, 272 Treatment of pine plants the firft year, - 187 • fecond year, 189 ~ third year, 191 Turf, fquares of, of ufe in early hot-beds, 12 prevent rank fleam, - 13 Turnip, culture of, „ 090 U. Uniformity in the conftruaion of hot-houfes, of, 241 Unfheltered plains, unfit for rearing orchards in, 287 Ufeful hints, . .. Ee V I N D E X Page. V- Value of manures, of the, - 336 * dungs, - 338 Variety of garden land, of the ; and how to improve it:» 325 Vegetable mould, how to make, 184 : of its application, 336 Vegetables, kitchen, do beft on new land, 318 Vegetation, of the foils moil favourable to, 329 Vine-borders, compolition of, 78 * breadth and depth of, 79 Vine plants, propagation of, Si planting of, in the grape-houfe, 84 — — how to engraft the, 123 w. Wafps, effe&ual method of deilroying, 114 Water, moft proper time for the application of, 43 of the temperature of, for plants, - ib. Watering of the afparagus hot-bed, 16, 22 cucumber-bed, 33, 34, 35, 37, 42 — . the cherry-houfe, - 58 fig.houfe, 73 — grape-houfe, 109 . . melons, on, 127 •i — mulhroom-beds, - 141 — ~ the peach-houfe, of, 159 — pinery, 198 — — green-houfe, 213 — - orchard trees, 293 White fweet water grape, defcription of the, 87 — — . Mufcadine, » — . •- ib. White INDEX. 417 Page. White Frontinac grape, defcription of the, 83 , ..,.—- Hamburgh, — 89 Tokay, • - . 90 Pafie mofque, — — 91 Raifin, • 90 Winter-pruning of vines exemplified, 235 Wire, iron, its ufe in trellifing, 241 Wood-loufe, how to deftroy the, 281 * The Bookbinder will place all the Plates in their or- der at the end of the Volume . BOOKS publi/Jjed by WILLIAM CREECH, Edinburgh. 1. A new and improved Edition, greatly enlarged, of Lee's Introduction to Botany ; with an Appendix ; a Gloflary ; and an Englifh Explanation of the Latin Botanic Terms. 8vo. with a newly- engraved Set of Plates. — 6 s. 6 d. in boards. 2. Observations on Plants. By M. Von Uflar. Tran- flated from the German ; with Additions, by J. G. Schmeifler, F. R. S. &c. 8vo. — 3 s. 6 d. in boards. 3. The Sexes of Plants vindicated. By John Rother- am, M. D. &c. 8vo. — i s. 6 d. fewed. 4. Dickfon's Huibandry of the Ancients ; being a- Tran- flation of the Ret Rujlic