SEPTEMBER. 



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were bound to make a profit out of the results. If the gentleman 

 chooses to use ornament for the gratification of his taste, it is as easy 

 to add and adapt it to useful appliances as to combine it with those 

 that are not so ; and there are few gardening establishments, large or 

 small, in which there cannot be found icccf/s, both useful and orna- 

 mental, of expending more means than are available. 



I have thus stated my question, and appointed its Umits ; adding, 

 however, that my remarks \\all apply to the more tender fruits, such as 

 Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots. I shall also presume that other 

 essentials to health have full and sufficient attention ; that the pruning, 

 disbudding, cleaning, and training are done properly, and in season ; 

 that the borders for the roots are sufficient and good ; and that they also 

 receive proper management in regard to pruning, when and where 

 necessary. 



INIr. Ewing assumes protection to a considerable extent to be in- 

 dispensable ; in this I quite coincide, excepting, perhaps, in exceptional 

 cases, of which those of Mr. Saul and his neighbours are fortunate 

 instances. If, however, we give credence to Mr. Saul, that simple means 

 of protection invariably answer every desired purpose with him, we must, 

 while we congi'atulate him on his fortunate locality, demand credence 

 on his part that such cases are exceptional. It is not requisite to 

 multiply instances concerning our late seasons, and their effects in 

 destroying crops and killing the trees, even where every attention has 

 been given to their proper management ; and when not only Fir 

 branches, but canvas blinds, projecting copings, and all other apphances 

 short of well contrived glass coverings have been freely^ used. 

 " J. M.'s " remarks on this subject can be corroborated by nine out 

 of ten of the practically experienced gardeners in the country. That 

 there are exceptions I have already allowed, and not one of us is 

 there otherwise circumstanced who does not heartily wish he were 

 out of the general rule. Now, if I am allowed to stand upon this 

 assertion, I at once get rid of a large portion of my question, by 

 a^ri^^ng at the inference that nothing less than well- arranged glass 

 structures will secure our trees and their crops against the ^'icissitudes 

 of the seasons. If, then, glazed protection is generally indispensable, 

 we have to consider the description of structure, and also the quality 

 of the workmanship ; perhaps the latter should stand first. 



It seems strange at this advanced period of the famous nineteenth 

 century that it should be necessary to enter into elaborate arguments 

 to con\'ince people of the absurdity and wastefulness of penny-wise- 

 and-pound-foohsh modes of doing anything, yet we see horticultural 

 structures bhicn toqether in the most rough and ready way by the 

 cheapest, and therefore the worst, artisans — of the cheapest, and there- 

 fore the least durable, materials — and more than all, the mode is put 

 forth almost as an original and important discovery ; or at least as an 

 improvement on the usual way of doing things. Now, I am not in 

 any way interested in keeping up extravagant prices, either of 

 material or of workmanship ; perhaps few have done more than 

 myself in securing to my em[)loyers the advantages of substantial 

 work at reasonable rates, my practice being to have all work of the 



