1869.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 167 



high, as if higher they are sure to be soon affected by frost, rain, and 

 wind to such an extent that their security is doubtful. A wall from 

 6 to 12 feet should be 13|- inches thick — that is, one and a half brick — 

 which makes a very substantial wall, and at the same time does not 

 require piers to strengthen it, which, at best, mar the beauty of the 

 whole, while I am rather sceptical whether they met the end in view 

 or not. All walls above 12 feet ought to be 18 inches in thickness, 

 which will give them strength enough to resist the fiercest storms with 

 impunity. Walls of this thickness may with benefit be made hollow, 

 which does not in the least weaken them, while they are said to be 

 warmer than those built solid. Various materials have been used for 

 copings, but none answer the purpose so well as stone. Stone copings 

 are more expensive at first, but the cheapest in the end, as all sorts of 

 compositions are sure to crack in the course of time, and the rain 

 entering through these cracks destroys the wall. Copings ought to 

 rise in the middle and slope to the edge ; and I would recommend 

 that a gutter be cut along the edge 2 inches broad and one deep, 

 which would prevent the drip from falling, as it often does in great 

 quantities, upon the branches, foliage, and flowers of the trees, to their 

 great injury and hurt. If the coping is cemented together, the water 

 could be led through these gutters to small lead pipes placed every 

 hundred feet, which could empty themselves into the drains at the 

 bottom of the walls. 



About most places the south walls are all covered with either 

 glass, Peaches, or Apricots. The next best situation must therefore 

 be selected for the Pear. Most gardens are so placed as to face the 

 sun from 10 to 11 a.m. In such a case the west side of the walls 

 will be the best fur the Pear, as it will not only be less exposed to the 

 easterly winds and spring frosts, but will therefore have one hour 

 more of the sun in this position than any other which could be assigned 

 to it, unless the south; and many varieties of the Pear merit the latter 

 position, which they do not often get. James M'Millan. 



HIN"TS FOR AMATEURS.— APRIL. 



In gardens where operations are as forward as they should be, every 

 part will now begin to assume a spring-like appearance. Where time 

 will allow, borders which have been turned up roughly may now be 

 broken down by the hoe ; or if stiff and tenacious, a four-pronged fork 

 may answer well. It may be advantageous not to rake the surface too 

 finely, as by this practice the soil becomes " caked," and weeds thrive 



