240 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



The north-wesfc aspect is planted with Morello cherries, which 

 are taken through in like manner, but for these the perforations 

 are mostly at the bottom of the wall, and each branch once through 

 and established, is trained out as a separate tree, fan fashion. This 

 plan is followed, because of the peculiar growth and pruning of the 

 Morello cherry. 



The north-east wall is planted exclusively with that fine dessert 

 pear, Passe Colmar, which usually bears abundantly, and ripens its 

 fruit perfectly in this unfavourable aspect. This wall is not per- 

 forated, but the branches of the pear-trees are bent over the top and 

 trained down; and the south-west side thus clothed by reverse 

 training, is at the monaent of writing this so densely clothed with 

 fruit, that we fear for the trees, unless the crop is quickly and 

 severely thinned, as, indeed, it ought to have been when the pears 

 were at first fairly virible. 



Thus four walls serve the purpose of eight walls, as regards 

 productive surface. But it may be asked, why not plant on both 

 aides ? To this proper question it may be answered, in the first 

 place, that if one set of trees planted outside all round will suffice, 

 it would be a folly to plant two. And again, it may be said that 

 the utmost possible extension of a tree should always be aimed at, 

 for nine-tenths of all the wall-trees are rendered unhealthy by 

 excessive pruning. But finally, in the case before us, the yard is 

 attached to the domestic offices, and in part is used for drying 

 clothes, and such like. It is nicely paved, and it would be incon- 

 venient to have trees planted in it. Many readers of the Flobal 

 WoELD may be similarly circumstanced, and may be glad of this 

 hint for making a fruit-wall do double dutv. S. H. 



SMALL BIRDS FOE THE HOUSEHOLD. 



BY THE PBISONER'S FRIEXD. 



PAPER of mine in the March number of the Floeal 

 World, treated of the parrots that are best adapted for 

 domestication in dwelling-houses. In consequence of 

 its appearance I have received a number of letters, in 

 which I am asked to write more on the same subject, 

 and I am in a difficulty how to harmonize politeness with my own 

 convenience, having but little time for writing, being utterly desti- 

 tute of experience in the use of the pen, and moreover having but a 

 poor opinion of my capacity for teaching. But I will do my best, 

 hoping to be useful, and to be forgiven for the shortcomings that are 

 certain to be only too visible. 



Certain corre-ipondents who take an interest in cage birds, sug- 

 gest that some general advice as to selecting them would be accept- 

 able. I shall begin by saving that the fewer cage birds in any house 

 the better, as a rule. To the amateur collector I have nothing to 

 say. He or she will take in hand all sorts of birds, and perhaps 



