46 THE FORCING GARDEN. 
In digging the borders on which Peaches and Plums 
_are grown, great caution is necessary above all things. 
I find on visiting gardens where these fruits are grown, 
or rather are attempted to be grown, that comparatively 
young trees are actually killed through the unthink- 
ing and ruthless deep digging of the borders with 
the spade; even Celery trenches are made, and Celery 
grown of a great size on these borders. I know 
that there is a great temptation for the gardener who 
has a small garden to deal with, to appropriate the best 
and most favourable aspects, so that fine and early 
Celery can be had; but if he wishes to preserve his 
Peaches and Cherry trees in first-class health for the 
full complement of the years they may continue so, he 
must abandon all deep digging with the spade about 
these borders. Properly speaking, the borders should 
never be dug with the spade, nor with the fork, above 
seven or eight inches—merely prick the surface over 
only a few inches deep. Itis not needful immediately 
about the stem of Peach trees, nor should be done. 
The depth indicated is also quite enough for 
Radish and Potato growing. Fresh maiden loam and 
leaf-mould are far better to manure or replenish the 
Peach border with, than horse-dung. Leaf-mould will 
grow Radishes, Potatoes, Tomatoes, and French Beans 
quite equal to, or even better than, stable manure. If 
the ground gets too poor for the trees, which may be 
seen by the smallness of the fruit and the weakness of 
the wood, give one or two good waterings during the 
summer with liquid manure. One plant of the Tomato 
may be grown between every two fan-trained trees, 
but it must be kept from covering the branches and 
the stems of them. 
