^C) NOTES UrON 



The Protecting-frame placed against the Peach-wall was made 



by Cottam and Hullen, and is similar to tlie one which was subse- 

 quently put up by that firm in tlie Society's Garden ; but the 

 latter is only 16 feet long, and it has been found that the ends 

 require to be glazed. The length of the one at Portnall 

 Park is 41 feet; the ends are glazed, so that it can be entirely 

 shut up, when necessary. It is glazed with Hartley's rough- 

 plate glass, and may therefore be considered a very durable 

 structure. The Peach and Nectarine trees under it have been 

 planted four years. The crop was abundant and well-coloured. 



The Peach-pit is 90 feet long ; 7^ feet wide ; 4 feet high at 

 back ; the front is 1 foot 3 inches above the ground-level ; and 

 the trellis on which the trees are trained is 10 inches from the 

 glass. There are ventilating boards, inches wide, which turn 

 on end-pivots. There is a walk close to the front of the 

 pits ; but it is laid over a border prepared for the Peach-trees. 

 Tliis border consists of about 9 inches of old brick-rubbish, above 

 which there is 20 inches of soil, as is the case where the trees 

 are planted inside the pit. The trees were covering the trellis, 

 and were loaded with fine well-coloured fruit, which could be 

 protected by the sashes from all vicissitudes of weather, and 

 from most other accidents to which Peaches on the open wall are 

 liable. To see a trellis 90 feet in length and 7^ feet in width 

 so richly covered with fruit, under these sashes, in the space of 

 four years from the plantation of the trees, must have exceeded 

 the most sanguine expectations formed of it. It may be observed, 

 that the Peaches will not colour well far from the glass ; in these 

 pits the fruit is within 10 inches of it. 



In exposed situations, wind-breaks are considered beneficial to 

 Peach-trees on the open wall. These usually consist of walls 

 across the border, or of hedges. In either case, the trees 

 adjoining such are partially shaded, and consequently injured. 

 But at Portnall Pai"k, the part of the wall not protected by the 

 above-mentioned Protecting-frame, had wind-breaks not liable 

 to the objection of causing shade ; for they are glazed. They 

 are 3^ feet wide at the base, and slant to 21 inches at the top, 

 where they are securely fixed, and maintained in a position at 

 right angles to the surface of the wall by iron stays. 



Pear-trees on walls had been in danger some years ago, from an 

 excess of vigourin the higher parts of the branches ; but by checking 

 the shoots there early in summer, and before those below are inter- 

 fered with, a more equal flow of sap has been induced, and the trees 



