9i 



GARDEN MANAGEJIENT. 



tlie time I have taken to describe it. Such blinds cai'efully used will last a 

 dozen of years, and often save a crop in a single night ; and they are equally 

 useful in autumn in maturing the wood, as in spring for protecting the blos- 

 soms. In cold districts they would be equally useful for pears, plums, &c. 

 Flued walls, carefully managed, may often insure a crop, also ; but great care 

 is necessary to prevent an excess of heat : combined with canvas covering, less 

 heat would be necessary. Provision should be made for easily and expeditiously 

 cleaning them, as a flued wall on fire is certain death to the trees. Hot water 

 would, of course, be infinitely better, attended with no danger, and certain bene- 

 fit. Its first expense, however, is great, although its working would be cheap ; 

 for, no aperture being required, a very gentle heat would suffice. Both for flues 

 and hot water, of course the walls would be partly hollow ; and, apart from 

 heating altogether, some recommend hollow walls. There can be no possible 

 objection to their use : they would possibly be drier at all times, and cer- 

 tainly the air contained in their interstices, being dry, would retain its heat 

 for a considerable time, and raise the temperature of the wall when the heat 

 might be most wanted. The grand secret of successful fruit-culture on the 

 open walls, however, is to have the wood well ripened in the autumn, retarding 

 it from blooming early in the spring, by removing it from the wall. Finally, 

 trees should always be attached to the wall, and not tied to nails, &c., however 

 close they may be fixed to it. Nailing is not only more expeditious, but better 

 for the trees than tying. Such is my decided opinion, notwithstanding all. 

 the hubbub about nail -holes, to the contrary. — ^D.T.F. 



