CHOICE OF WALL TREES. 81 



only two yards in the breadth ! And, considering 

 the roots of the trees, how often do suckers appear 

 on the farther side of the gravel walk, showing how 

 far the tree goes in quest of food, and what bad 

 fare it meets with in passing through or under a 

 mass of stones, instead of more latitude of soil, 

 enriched by frequent manuring, and quickened 

 by many upturnings to the frost and sunbeams! 

 Wherefore, on more accounts than one, although 

 stinted in your allowance of wall, it will be wise to 

 give a more liberal breadth to your border. Should 

 the former be only six, let the latter be at least 

 nine feet, and there can be no harm in making it 

 twelve. I am aware that the look is something, 

 and that your greatest distance from the wall adds 

 to the meanness of its height; but a good crop 

 of early cauliflower and better fruits are of far more 

 consequence, and of such real beauty as to conquer 

 the defect. 



Next to the fitness of soil in the furnishing of 

 your wall, the choice and arrangement of trees are 

 to be considered. The depth, the extent, and the 

 richness of your soil constitute your talents for 

 valuable productions; and that your wall, as a 

 splendid page, may display those talents, you 

 have only to observe the rule of good composition 

 "Apt trees in apt places." If your elevation ex- 

 ceed that of 400 feet, unless the advantages of local 

 shelter be very great, plant no peach, neither at- 

 tempt, although out of sight, the best of its species, 

 the Moorpark apricot. It always argues a weak- 



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