OCTOBER. 



453 



from 12 to 18 inches, according to the height of the wall, 

 and at the bottom of these walls are raised sloping borders, 

 6 to 8 feet wide. For the best aspect, facing the southeast, 

 south, or southwest, the protection of a still higher wall is 

 afforded. It was on these, according to the testimony of the 

 old friars, that fruit trees which would not succeed elsewhere 

 in gardens were cultivated. The riches of these institutions 

 permitted the erection of these costly but durable and useful 

 structures. At the present day all these precautions are not 

 taken, even in the gardens of the wealthy ; yet the injuries 

 to fruit trees in spring, and consequent losses of crops, are 

 such that it is high time to adopt remedial means. Recourse 

 is had to copings, which shelter the blossoms from snow and 

 late frosts. Some employ mats of rushes, straw, or Russia 

 mats. Others again have moveable glass structures, which 

 appear to me to be preferable to all other modes of protection. 

 By means of these we have seen produced peaches, apricots, 

 and grapes, perfectly formed, and of a delicacy and flavor 

 beyond which nothing could be desired. We have seen one 

 of these structures in the garden of Mr. Charles Van der 

 Straeten, at Texelles lez Bruxelles. This garden is situated 

 on the highest part of the environs of the city. The ground 

 is cold and stiff during winter, but the layer of vegetable soil 

 is very deep. 



The moveable structure represented in the foregoing plan 

 is placed against a wall, facing the southwest, composed of 

 tiles nine inches square. All details respecting the wall and 

 moveable structure are given in the explanation to the plans ; 

 some remarks as to the fruit trees, and the period when the 

 structure is put up, may however be given. 



The wall being constructed of tiles, and the joints being 

 perfectly filled up with plaster, no refuge is afforded on its 

 surface for insects. This is a circumstance worthy of note. 

 Against the wall is placed a trellis work of round rods attached 

 to the uprights of the oak framework at the distance where 

 the reflection of heat is greatest. This is another point to 

 . be noted. 



After the vines have been three years planted and trained 



