398 



Dutch Manner of Forcing, 



has been tried in some places, and, by means of nets, cherries, 

 damson and other plums, gooseberries, and currants, are 

 preserved till November. 



Reed Walls and Screens are a good deal used by Mr. Nieman. 

 What is called a reed wall {Jigs. 149, 150.) may be described 

 as 10 ft. high, and consisting of a double 

 trellis (a b), composed of horizontal 

 laths about 8 in. apart, a coping boai'd 

 (c) 9 in. broad ; the reeds placed end- 

 wise within the trellis (d), and sup- 

 ported about a foot from the ground, 

 to keep them from rotting ; this interval 

 of a foot being filled up with slates, 

 placed on edge (e). The trellis rods 

 are nailed to posts (Jig. 150.J), and, 

 by taking off a few of these rods on 

 one side, the reed mats can be taken 

 out and renewed. Russian mats would 

 no doubt answer very well, and last a 

 long time, and they might be taken out 

 with still less trouble. Straw mats 

 (p. 167.) would also do, where reeds 

 could not be got ; and heath, as being of 

 a dark colour, and very durable, would 

 make the best of all structures of this 

 kind. Mr. Nieman finds peaches, grapes, 

 and other fruits, ripen just as well on 

 these structures as on brick walls. 



The reeds of Holland are stronger 

 than British reeds, and commonly last 

 in such walls for ten years. Mr. Nieman 

 imports his coverings from Holland, 

 and finds them more durable, and not 

 much dearer, than those of England. 

 Gardeners may procure British reed 

 mats by applying to Robert Resker, 

 reed mat manufacturer, Writtle, Essex, 

 who manufactures mats of any size to '-=■ 

 order, at \\d. per square foot. Any 



149 



150 



respectable London nurseryman will procure for a country 



