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 w r here 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. It is not needful immediately 

 about the stem of Peach trees, nor should be done. 



The depth indicated is also quite enough for 

 Eadish 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 Eadishes, 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. 



