8 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



shape, so much the better. A position too close to 

 the sea-coast should be avoided, especially in very 

 windy localities, as the briny spray from the ocean 

 will do much damage to tender vegetation. 



Protection from the cold winds from the north 

 and east, and also against south-westerly gales, is 

 more or less essential in the latter case chiefly on 

 account of the damage that is likely to be done to 

 lights and cloches. Good walls, close wooden fences, 

 or thick hedges should be erected for the purpose. 

 Walls and fences may be utilised for growing various 

 kinds of fruit-trees, but in the French gardens I 

 visited T noticed that the walls all round were quite 

 bare, and were merely shelters. One grower, indeed, 

 informed me that it was scarcely worth while trying 

 to grow fruit-trees on the walls, as they would be 

 more trouble than they were worth. 



Personally, however, I should imagine that good 

 kinds of fruit-trees trained on a wooden fence or wall 

 would not interfere with the culture of vegetables and 

 salads, and would be a source of income in due course. 



BORDERS. In every " French " garden it is usual 

 to have a border from 6 to 12 ft. wide round the 

 walls or fences, such borders being often raised at 

 the back and sloping towards the front, especially 

 when having a south aspect. According to the 

 season, various vegetables are grown on these borders. 

 For example Cos Lettuces raised under lights or 

 cloches may be planted out on a south border in 

 January, or early in February, after a sowing of 

 Radishes and Early Carrots has been previously 

 made on the same soil ; and Cauliflowers raised in 

 autumn and protected in frames during the winter 



