KITCHEN GARDENS AND ORCHARDS. 







that the grass should not be allowed to grow within two or three feet of the stems 

 until they are well established. When the fruit trees are well grown, the neighbouring 

 kitchen garden will benefit by their presence, for they will form an efficient wind screen, 

 and their free and unrestrained limbs appearing above or overhanging the fruit walls will 

 give a pleasant note of contrast, especially when they are laden with blossom or fruit. 



The chief charm of the typical English orchard is, as we have already said, its 

 air of old-world peaceful seclusion, and in laying out a new one we should make the 

 attainment of the same atmosphere, as far as is consistent with its surroundings and 

 purpose, our chief aim. This can only be done by a very careful consideration of all 

 the details and furnishings, which must be simple and unostentatious in their design 

 and solid in their construction. Of course only a few accessories are possible, but we 

 may have a simple circular seat round the base of an apple tree or a straight one with 

 a tiled canopy or pent roof over it at the end of the principal walk. 



We may even have an enclosed aviary with its details carried out in carefully 

 proportioned trellis work after the manner of that which so often accompanies the 

 verandahs and balconies of Georgian mansions, and of course there are gates, doors, 

 fences, steps and other utilitaria on the design of which we may exercise artistic ability 

 and taste. What could be more charming for instance than profuse masses of bloom 

 overtopping a little lych-gate or seen in inviting glimpses through the open panels 

 of a door in an arched doorway, or a fence constructed of materials which strike a local 

 note, and swathed in masses of rampant roses, presenting not only colour and sweetness 

 within, but providing a thorny reception to intruders and fruit stealers from without. 



By this and similar means, the orchard may be made one of the most attractive 

 portions of the domain, from early Spring to late Autumn. First will come the snow- 

 drops nestling round the stems of the trees, to be followed by carpets of brilliant single 

 daffodils accompanied by clusters of primroses on banks and under the fences, which 

 in turn will give place to scented violets, but not before the whole orchard has put on 

 its gorgeous panoply of white and delicately pink blossom. From the time this has 

 disappeared until the fruit begins to ripen, the orchard will be gay with roses trained 

 over the fences, and, after the main fruit harvest is over, the Virginia-creeper, trained 

 over the arbour or lych-gate, may prolong its Autumn glory a little longer ; and even 

 in the depth of Winter, one or two old apple trees may be given over to the cultiva- 

 tion of mistletoe, so that throughout the whole year this delightful feature, with its 

 stores of old associations, may provide variety and be attractive for its own sake. 



248 



