On trainhig the Peach and Nectarine. 697 



Mr. Newington's plan of managing a crop of young spray 

 I entirely disapprove of, as being unnecessary. It might, in 

 trees of a very moderate strength, in the warmer parts of Eng- 

 land, answer what may be called decently ; but, for the ma- 

 jority of gardeners, I feel convinced it would not be the best 

 plan : its evils would be confusion of wood, and, in the end, 

 too great exclusion of light and heat. Nevertheless, I think 

 Mr. Housman under a mistake in saying it might do for luxu- 

 riant wood : for, if he taxes his memory, he will remember 

 that the lowest joint of laterals on very luxuriant wood is 

 generally very long, perhaps from 1 in. to 6 in. ; and such 

 wood, if topped, would seldom make bloom spurs. How- 

 ever, I may misunderstand him. I protest against any very 

 punishing crops, as onions or shallots, on the borders, the 

 roots of which run 18 in. deep. The most legitimate crop 

 I know for the purpose, in my opinion, is the strawberry, 

 on account of that mortal enemy to surface roots, the spade, 

 being so little required in its cultivation. These I would 

 plant in rows 3 ft. apart, leaving a space of 6 ft. next the wall, 

 on which the runners of the respective kinds would extend 

 without mixing, especially by dressing that space in April 

 with leaf mould. They would be rooted early, and ready to 

 clear away in the end of July with the trimmings between the 

 rows. I would plant a portion every year, and after bearing 

 the second time, destroy them. For these borders I would 

 have a net made, which should fit a given number of rows, and 

 I would cover them over with it at ripening time* By these 

 means, and mouse-traps round the exterior, the crop would be 

 as secure as the cherry orchard at Hylands. For, plant how 

 we will here, unless they are covered the birds will have at 

 least half. As crops intermitting between the strawberries, I 

 would advise, with Mr. Housman, spinach, radishes, French 

 beans, endive, lettuce, dwarf peas, pickling cucumbers, re- 

 membering always to crop rather thinly ; and if any of the 

 borders could be totally cleared through July or August, I 

 have no doubt it would be an advantage. These borders 

 should be always worked with a fork, and not more than 6 or 

 8 in. deep, if possible ; for I think it of more importance to 

 preserve surface roots than to attend to those punctilios about 

 mignonette, &c. 



I now beg to say, after finding all the fault I can, that all 

 those papers have their merits : at any rate, it is agreeable to 

 see so much testimony from various quarters contrasted. 



Let those who judge, therefore, bear in mind that almost 

 every situation has its peculiarities ; and let us not be con- 

 demned without those localities being taken into the question. 



