i88i.] WALL -BORDERS. 365 



are now in a very poor plight, the old ones gradually dying, and those 

 planted of late years making little progress, mildew being prevalent 

 on all the Peaches and Nectarines ; all this resulting, I firmly believe, 

 from the dry impoverished state of the borders. It may be said I am 

 forming rather too hasty an opinion on the subject. If after more 

 liberal treatment I find this to be the case, I will retract : I mention it 

 at the present time, simply because I intend writing in this number 

 upon what should not be grown on wall-borders, and refer to this not 

 because it is a solitary instance of mismanagement, but rather because 

 it will not injuriously affect those responsible. 



In a great many gardens the herbs are grown on wall-borders, and, 

 as at this place, are almost undisturbed for many years. In our case, 

 in addition to the herbs, we found a row of Violets and Chrysanthe- 

 mums where possible to plant them, at the base of this and all the walls. 

 Consequently the border, from the wall to the edge and to its full depth, 

 was robbed of all fertility all the year round. No wonder the Apricots 

 were dry and poor, and the Pear-trees (cordons) never perfected their 

 fruit. Those who have A^iolets or herbs, including well-established 

 Parsley on wall-borders, will do well to examine the soil under them. 

 The result of the investigation, unless I am much mistaken, will be a 

 decision to form fresh Violet and herb quarters. I am aware the herbs 

 are very conveniently situated when near the walks ; but if they cannot 

 be shifted to the opposite side of the walks, owing to more fruit-trees 

 being in possession, what is to hinder planting a few lines on the 

 inside of the fruit-trees 1 As I have endeavoured to point out in these 

 papers, the wall-borders can be cropped more profitably with temporary 

 crops, as opposed to the most injurious permanent crops (with which 

 I ought to include Strawberries, should these be retained beyond one 

 or at the most two seasons) ; and it is quite certain that new beds of 

 herbs are not only easily formed, but they are also very much improved 

 by the process. Of course if the Violets, Strawberries, and herbs were 

 annually replanted, the ground on these occasions receiving heavy 

 dressings of manure, not much harm would result ; but it is a curious 

 fact how little attention is paid to the herb quarters especially, seeing 

 bow regular is the demand for some of them. How many there are 

 who fail to maintain a supply of Parsley ! and even Mint, Tarragon, and 

 Sage are very scarce at times when they ought to be available, and 

 that, too, with but little trouble. In conclusion, a few further remarks 

 on herb-culture may not be out of place. 



Here it has been the practice to sow Parsley on a south border for 

 winter use ; but although the object in view has been attained, the 

 practice will not be imitated by me, owing to the incessant tramplings 

 in all weathers when the Parsley is picked, rendering the ground solid 

 and poor, and not easily recovered to a workable condition. The 

 Parsley is this season sown in quantity in lines near to, and between, 

 the commoner fruit-trees in the open, where it will be quite as access- 



