FRUIT BANK SUPERIOR TO WALL. 105 



ing bank is raised within an inch, or two of its proper 

 height, let a layer of coarse sifted gravel be laid on 

 the top. This will much improve the appearance, 

 and increase the reflected heat, and, being free from 

 small sand and earthy particles, will give no birth 

 to annual weeds. 



For the purpose of training, should peaches or 

 apricots be planted, a close trellis will be requisite; 

 but apples or pears will require nothing more than 

 common espalier rails laid on the gravel and held 

 in their places by two slight spars running across, 

 one at the top and the other at the bottom. In 

 the mean time, the ivy produces a beautiful and 

 beneficial effect, surmounting the wall and adding 

 to the closeness of shelter caused by the evergreen 

 shrubs. It should be clipped along the top after 

 the manner of box edging. Nothing can exceed the 

 real snugness of the trees so placed, or the beauty 

 of their glowing blossoms spread out under the eye: 

 and the quality of the fruit comes fully up to the 

 theoretic advantages with which it is favoured. 

 The heat is undoubtedly much greater than that 

 of the best wall, and the open flowers find, in their 

 humble height, a shelter, like the daisy of the field, 

 from the sweeping blast which often scatters the 

 petals of a higher tree like a shower of snow. 



Experience has fully proved the suitableness of 

 this contrivance to all elevated situations. In some 

 places, very low and warm, the heat so powerfully 

 reflected might possibly be too great ; but in that 

 case figs and nectarines might be so exposed, and 



