250 PRUNING. 



is well known, that to have short jointed and well 

 ripened wood, high temperature and abundance of air 

 and light are everywhere indispensably necessary; 

 and we find by experience, that to have perfectly 

 mature and high flavoured fruit, the roots should 

 have an extensive horizontal range, and be under 

 some influence of air and the heat of the sun. To 

 obtain these advantages some French gardeners, in- 

 stead of planting the trees close to the wall, as is the 

 common practice, place the root at the distance of six 

 or eight feet, the stem or stems being laid along 

 towards the wall a few inches beneath the surface, 

 and then brought up and trained thereto. This 

 position enlarges the system of roots near the surface, 

 and enables them to yield increased supplies not of 

 watery, but of well aerolated sap. (Fig. 59.) 

 Fig. 59. 



Vine borders in this country have been formed on 

 a plan somewhat similar, with a view to obtaining the 



