THE MANSE GARDEN. 79 



which my old friend, with a shake of his grey locks, 

 which intimated that the case was a hopeless one, 

 said, " A dinna ken ; the doctor used to shoot them 

 whiles, but it never did them meikle guid." 



Judging that, if no better for being shot, their 

 manners were not likely to amend by mere provoca- 

 tion, I determined to alter my mode of warfare; and 

 so, grubbing up my trees, I gathered them into one 

 place, that one mode of defence might serve for all, 

 and sent, by a herring cart, for a long web of decayed 

 net, which cost only ten shillings, and has lasted 

 nearly as many years. Thus, paying the enemy 

 the same kind of compliment that Agricola did the 

 aborigines of the north, I have found the defensive 

 system entirely successful. 



When you have gathered your cherries at the full 

 maturity of their rich and dubious hue between red 

 and black, the same net may be transformed to your 

 plums. But whether the enemy takes himself off 

 on being foiled, or is compelled to raise the siege 

 for want of provision, or finds easier prey in other 

 fields, I have not been attentive to ascertain ; but 

 certain it is, that for the above small cost you may 

 be free from any material damage by this swarthy 

 and moorish race. As to the small matter of currants, 

 it remains to give elsewhere a method of having plenty 

 in spite of all that the birds can do. 



A white rasp, or a red or white currant, may be 

 planted in the vacant spaces between your young 

 trees. As the fruit of these will be early, and of 

 superior quality, it is always something to add to the 

 benefit of your wall, and to give it a more clothed 

 appearance. But should you find pleasure in graft- 



