FENCES, WALLS, AND SHELTERS. 83 



than it really is ; if an exact square, it will seem smaller. So^ ii it is flat, it 

 will seem smaller than if it is either undulating or sloping ; whiiC, on an 

 elevation, loftier walls will admit a larger amount Ox atmospheric air than if 

 it is placed in a hollow, or even in a flat country. Where an acre oi ground, in 

 the form of a parallelogram is inclosed, on a gentle elevation, he recom- 

 mends a north wall 14 feet high, and the east, west, and south walls only 10 feet : 

 if the slope of the ground is considerable, the difference may be less. In 

 >"ardens of greater extent — inclosures of foui' acres for instance, the walls may 

 be higher, but in no instances more than 18 feet high for the north wall, 15 feet 

 lor the east and west walls, and 12 feet for the south, wall. 



195. In a parallelogram of 400 feet by 300, which is about two acres, and a 

 well-proportioned piece of ground if the lie of the land is an easy slope, 

 Mr. Mcintosh recommends a wall 16 feet high for the north wall, 14 feet for 

 the cast and west walls, and 12 feet for the south wall ; but on level ground, 

 while the north wall is still 16 feet, he would make the east and west walls 

 13 feet, and the south wall 10 feet. Rogers considers low walls much mora 

 convenient in management, more easily protected ; and, seeing that the fruit- 

 trees are most productive under horizontal training, he recommends two 

 walls of 6 feet high, with the trees planted at good distances from each other, 

 and asserts that such walls will produce more fruit in any given number of 

 years than one 12-feet wall. "Low walls give free ventilation," he adds, 

 " which is necessary at all times : even high winds do less damage than foul 

 stagnant air, pent up within four high walls." Mr. P. Walker thinks walls 

 should not be under 8 feet from the ground-level to the coping, but 10 feet he 

 considers the most useful height for general purposes ; but 

 where the garden area is flat, the appearance would be 

 improved by raising the north wall a foot or two higher, 

 carrying the rise round the north-east and north-west angles, 

 and finishing with an appropriate cauatto, or turret. 



196. The materials of which walls are formed will always depend upon local 

 circumstances ; brick, stone, clay, chalk, and oak fencing, being all in common 

 use for the purpose. Of all these materials, brick seems to be the favourite, 

 being most convenient, absorbing most heat, and being most enduring. 

 Forsyth says, " Where brick cannot be had, it is better to dispense with walls 

 altogether, and adopt wood." Brick walls are, therefore, considered the best 

 for all practical purposes : they are most convenient for training, and they 

 absorb and retain most heat. Whinstone, a species of basalt rock common in 

 the northern counties, is next reckoned for these qualities, while its close grain 

 rejects moisture. 



197. It has also been a question whether inclined or vertical walls were most 

 favourable to the produce 01 wall-fruit. Zigzag walls, and walls with deep 

 recesses, have also been experimented on ; and, latterly, glass walls, which, 

 after all, only amount to an arcade inclosed with glass and lined with vines, 

 fruit-trees, and exotics, — very charming, no doubt, if they do not cost more 

 vhan they are worth, even as a costly luxury. 



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