364 THE FLORJST. 



to drainage, &c. ; if then they are both subjected to the same treatment 

 in every respect, what will be the result ? The plant potted without 

 any drainage will in a short time show the evil effectof such potting, in 

 its sickly appearance and early death. But the plant that was properly 

 drained will in an equally short time show the beneficial effects of such 

 potting, in a healthy, vigorous growtli. But place this plant for three 

 or four months during the winter season in a shallow pan kept full of 

 water, what will be the result ? The loss of all its rootlets, and, in 

 nineteen cases in twenty, certain death to the plant, 



A plant in a pot properly drained, and when the mechanical con- 

 dition of the soil is right, may have at one time any quantity of water, 

 without sustaining any injury ; so in like manner may a fruit tree 

 border, which is properly drained, and whose mechanical properties are 

 perfect, receive any quantity of rain at one time without doing much 

 injury. 



Every one who has anything to do with plant growing knows very well 

 the beneficial effects of proper drainage. 13ut with the exception of Vine 

 borders, how stands the case with most fruit tree borders? In many, 

 when a tree is planted it is no better situated as to its future growth 

 than plants in undrained pots ; there are no outlets for the water, 

 consequently in winter the borders are full of it, and if there be 

 springs they are never dry. Is it any wonder, then, that trees so 

 situated should refuse to grow ? No, it is not. To ascribe their failure 

 to spring frosts is to " put the saddle on the wrong horse." 



Trees planted in badly drained borders, and when the mechanical 

 condition of the soil is defective, if they do grow at all, it is generally late 

 in the season, the wood then never ripens properly, consequently the 

 buds suffer in severe weather in winter, and the spongelets invariably 

 perish, from the water in the soil. When this goes on year after year 

 the trees get into a state unfitted to bear fruit. 



Widely different is it with trees planted in borders thoroughly 

 drained, where proper provision has been made to carry off all super- 

 fluous water, whether it comes from rain above or springs below, and 

 where the mechanical and chemical properties of the soil are perfect. 

 In such borders the trees make their growth early in the season, and 

 get properly matured before winter, consequently stand any degree of 

 frost without injury. We have proof of this in the American Peach 

 orchards, where the wood annually stands unprotected and uninjured a 

 degree of cold unknown in Great Britain ; and the borders being dry 

 and comparatively warm, the rootlets not only pass the winters without 

 injury, but actually increase. Trees thus circumstanced, with well 

 matured wood and buds, and the rootlets all in full activity, will most 

 seasons have good crops, provided, of course, proper treatment is regu- 

 larly given them, in never letting any trees bear too many fruit in one 

 or more seasons, and in properly attending to disbudding, pruning, &c. 

 By persevering in such a system, instead of having a chance crop 

 every six or seven years, the result will be the contrary. And are not 

 these results such as to demand proper attention in draining, &c. ? 



What can give a gardener more pleasure than to see all his labour 

 and anxiety crowned year after year with success ; to see handsome, 



