72 THE MANSE GARDEN. 



have, at very little expense, and even on the thinnest 

 soil, a constant supply of fruit, and that of no inferior 

 quality. The paradise stocks not being seedlings, 

 but raised from layers, are remarkable both for avoid- 

 ing the thong-like tap-root, and for sending out a 

 great multitude of small fibres, which nourish the 

 tree, without traveling fast and far like those of the 

 free growing kinds. This accounts for their early 

 bearing, their short life, and their adaptation to a 

 low wall and a scanty allowance of good mould. In 

 other circumstances they ought to have no preference; 

 for at every replanting there is incurred a considerable 

 vacancy as to space, and consequently a loss both of 

 time and of fruit; whereas other trees set in good 

 soil will soon complete your design, and serve for the 

 period of your life, without leaving the bare face of 

 your wall to look idly at the sun. 



In giving scope to the roots, the next thing to 

 depth of soil is the breadth of your wall- fruit bor- 

 der. The technical rule, that it must equal the 

 height of the wall, may readily be discarded. If 

 you have a good height, there is no need of objec- 

 tion ; but should your wall be only six feet, the 

 border will still be the earliest and most productive 

 portion of your garden ; but how little area for crop- 

 ping will the length give when multiplied by 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 upturn- 



