292 Transactions of the Horticultural Society. 



the vines acquire abundance of roots upon the surface. Also, 

 by the close planting, from which all undue luxuriance is 

 restrained ; by this means the branches complete their growth 

 within the bounds prescribed, and ripen their wood early. 



" 3d. By limiting each plant to only one cordon, with two 

 arms, right and left, the entire extent of both not exceeding 

 8 ft. The energies of the roots, confined to so small a 

 space, nourish the bearing wood more effectually and more 

 equally, and bring the fruit to greater perfection. 



" 4th. To the projecting coping, which protects the vine and 

 fruit from frosts and heavy rains, and intercepts and retains 

 the heat radiating from the surface of the wall and of the soil. 



" 5th. The sloping disposition of the ground also contributes 

 to their success, as it prevents any accumulation of moisture 

 at the roots of the vines, and preserves them sound and 

 healthy." 



Mr. Robertson judiciously concludes, " we too frequently 

 err, in making our borders for vines or peaches deeper than 

 the influence of the sun and air can reach. Their depth 

 should always be regulated by the temperature of the climate. 

 In such a climate as that of France, where the summer heat 

 is powerful, and penetrates deeply, if 3 or 4 ft. be necessary, 

 in Great Britain or Ireland, where it is comparatively feeble, 

 one half the depth may be sufficient, and a greater would 

 prove pernicious." 



We consider this paper as a very important one ; indeed 

 by far the best that has yet appeared in this volume of these 

 Transactions. We would recommend the young gardener 

 and the amateur to study it in connection with the method of 

 vine culture, described in Gard. Mag., vol. iii. p. i^S., and of 

 pear culture, in the current volume, p. 60. In nine cases out of 

 ten the unfruitfulness of wall trees in this countiy is owing to 

 the too great depth and richness of the borders, and the con- 

 tinual cropping and digging of their surfaces. Hitt showed 

 this nearly a century ago, as our correspondent Hiver has 

 done in a preceding Number, but still we find the borders 

 cropped, and the trees wasting themselves in young shoots in 

 even the best gardens. We wish the Council of the Horti- 

 cultural Society would make a general tour of the country, 

 and criticise every kitchen-garden severely, so as eventually 

 to teach gardeners to read with more profit than, we are 

 afraid, they are in the habit of doing. We repeat our re- 

 quest, that our young readers will study Judd, the above 

 paper, F. N. B., and Hiver, and shape their practice accord- 

 ingly when they become masters. 



