466 PRACTICE OF GARDENING. Part III. 



Next, on a spot of the above, or of similar dimensions, sloping to the south, and not level 

 from east to west, but sloping a few feet, perhaps one in fifty, to the east, in this case the 

 opposite walls should run directly parallel to each other, both with respect to latitude and 

 to inclination, otherwise the eye will be displeased by the distorted appearance of the cop- 

 ing when at the full height. Next, all as here described, and the ground sloping to the 

 south and to the west. And next, a dead level spot, in which case particularly the walls 

 should be of different heights. But ground falling to the north, or much distorted, should 

 be avoided, as being very unfit for erecting walls or other buildings upon, on which a com- 

 plete modern garden cannot be formed without considerable difficulty, and a great addi- 

 tional expense." (Kalend. p. 142.) 



2438. Walls with a south aspect, as Switzer observes, " have been all along reckoned 

 the best for fruits, though later observation and experience have not confirmed it ; for 

 when the days are something long, and the heat of the sun in its greatest strength, it is 

 late before the sun shines upon them, and it leaves such a position as early in the after- 

 noon. Besides, when it is mid-day, the sun is so much elevated above the horizon, that 

 it shines but faintly and very slopingly upon them, which makes the heat to be much the 

 less, inasmuch as a smaller quantity of rays fall upon such a wall, it being visible, that 

 both before and after noon the sun shines hotter than when it is in its highest meridian. 

 From whence, 'tis natural to infer, that a little inclination, either to the east or west, are 

 the best aspects ; but which of the two will maintain its precedence may be now enquired 

 into. And in this enquiry, I shall venture to affirm, that the east, or rather south-east, 

 are to be preferred to the west or south-west, though they are as much exposed to the sun 

 as east walls are. Though it should be argued that the sun shines stronger in the after- 

 noon than the morning, because it continues to act on air already warmed with the influ- 

 ence of the morning sun, yet, inasmuch as the rays of the sun are more healthy and cheer- 

 ful then than after, and dispel the cold dews and vapors as before, it is more than equi- 

 valent to the extraordinary heat of the afternoon sun, as experience shows, which is generally 

 languid and unhealthy. From whence I infer as before, that the south-east maintains its 

 post against either the south or south-west. 'Tis from reasonings of this kind I would 

 venture to establish it as my humble opinion, (and I think I have the suffrage of most 

 eminent planters and gardeners to second me,) that a south wall, inclining about twenty 

 degrees to the east, is preferable to any of the others, inasmuch as the sun shines as early 

 on it as on a full east wall, and never departs from it till about two o'clock in the after- 

 noon ; besides, it is something removed from those destructive winds that come from the 

 west and north." (Pr. Fr. Gard. p. 312.) 



2439. Equality of aspect. Hitt proposes to have no south wall, but by the position of 

 the four sides of his garden (Jig. 421. c ) endeavors to obtain a comparatively equal dis- 

 tribution of solar heat. The plan he recommends contains two acres, the ground descend- 

 ing from the south-west side. " In respect to the aspect of the walls," he says, "the 

 sun's rays continue no longer upon the north-west wall than three in the afternoon, which, 

 I think, is the most proper aspect for grapes, peaches, nectarines, and all other kinds of 

 fruit that require the most regular heat to bring them to perfection, and soonest to matu- 

 rity, for though the sun leaves this wall so soon in the afternoon, yet in the morning this 

 aspect will be of advantage to the trees and fruits ; for, as apricots, peaches, and nectarines 

 blossom early in the spring, at which time our climate is frequently attended with frosty 

 nights, destructive of both blossoms and fruit, the sun's rays darting in lines at right 

 angles upon the wall at nine o'clock, dissolve the congealed moisture much sooner than if 

 they darted upon it at right angles at noon, which they must consequently do if the wall 

 stands due south. 'Tis true, a south wall will receive more sun by three hours, that is, 

 from about three in the afternoon till near six, (in the vernal equinox,) but that is no great 

 advantage, for before that time of the day the air will be sufficiently warmed. Besides, if 

 the wall is built full south, it will not be so proper for fruit-trees as a south-east aspect; 

 for in the middle of the day the sun will cause the trees to exhale their juices faster than 

 their roots can absorb them, which will render the fruit smaller and the pulp harder, and 

 worse flavored, than those which receive the heat more regular. The south-east wall re- 

 ceives the sun about nine o'clock, which is a proper situation for some of the best kinds 

 of winter pears, and which they well deserve, for they afford fine juices and rich flavors, 

 when other fruits of the same quality are wanting. Some kinds of grapes, peaches, and 

 nectarines will ripen well against it ; and this has one equal advantage with the south-west 

 wall, viz. of the sun's rays striking obliquely upon it at noon. The north-west aspects of 

 these walls receive but little sun, for he shines not upon them till three in the afternoon, 

 but they will serve for fruits which ripen in summer, as cherries, plums, and some kinds 

 of pears." (TV. on Fruit Trees, p. 33.) 



2440. A full south asjyect is recommended by Marshall, for a wall designed for the best 

 fruits ; or, it may be somewhat inclining to the east, by which it will catch the sun's rays 

 at its rise, the cold night dews will be earlier and more gently dissipated, and the scorch- 

 ing rays of the afternoon summer's sun are sooner off. By thus having the walls of a 



