ERECTIONS, &C. 325 



feet high. For the purpose of pruning, training, &c., walls 

 of this height are far preferable to those of a greater, 

 and if built to run directly south or north, the entire sur- 

 face of both sides may be judiciously covered. The 

 eastern aspect would render a sure and abundant early 

 crop : those on the western side would not be so productive, 

 and more liable to be affected by our frequent severe west- 

 erly gales. When in bloom, or when the fruit is ripening, 

 would be the period that they would be most liable to suffer. 

 However, as they would frequently produce a full crop, an 

 astonishing quantity of fruit may be produced on a very 

 small space of ground by erecting walls of this description, 

 built parallel to, and not far distant from, each other say, 

 at the nearest, from twenty to twenty-five feet. If from 

 local causes bricks cannot be had, a good substitute will be 

 found in strong ranges of plank fencing made of well-sea- 

 soned wood, and closely jointed, having three or four good 

 coats of oil paint : grapes raised in this way will be nowise 

 inferior to those produced on walls : indeed we would pre- 

 fer such to any wall of stone that could be erected, it being 

 of a more even surface and more convenient for training, 

 and not giving harbour for insects, &c. A very great 

 advantage will be derived by having a coping on the wall 

 or fence, projecting eight or ten inches, turning on a pivot, 

 so as it can be used in time of heavy dashing rains while 

 the vines are in bloom, or when the fruit is ripening, which 

 are the only periods that it will be of actual service, for all 

 dews and light rains are indispensable to the health and 

 maturity of the vine ; and if the fence is north and south, 

 the light and heat excluded by it would be a serious draw- 

 back on the ripening of the fruit. We say, therefore, if it 

 is not on a pivot, the plants will be better without it, unless 

 it have only one or two inches of a projection, the dripping 

 from the coping will fall on the foliage, and that will carry it 

 entirely free from the fruit ; but we urge the great utility and 

 even necessity for movable coping. Espaliers or trellises 

 are in common use for the training of the vine, also arbours : 

 the former suit admirably in small gardens where it is not 

 desirable to go to expense, but the latter should be avoided 

 as the worst possible construction for growing grapes ; the 

 interior is always filled with a current of cold air highly 

 prejudicial to the maturity of fine fruits; but for coarse 

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