Cast-iron Espalier Rails at Maeslaugh Castle. 205 



better, provided it has previously attained a bearing size, having 

 a greater store of its secretion for the next crop. In the winter, 

 take up this tree, and cut away a few of its best roots ; plant it 

 again immediately in the same place, but in poor sandy earth ; 

 apply the pollen in the usual way when in flower. The tree 

 will be in a stunted state during the summer, as also the fruit; 

 but the leaves must perform their natural functions, which might, 

 in the present instance, be called unnatural, as, having little or 

 no supply from the roots, they are acting on the juices previously 

 in the system, which is analogous to double distilling. Starved 

 fruit, produced under such severe circumstances, though destitute 

 of size and beauty, are sweet in an eminent degree, as any one 

 may attest who has tasted the first crop of a newly or badly trans- 

 planted bearing tree ; and it will be found that, notwithstanding 

 the stuntedness of the tree and fruit, the seeds are greatly im- 

 proved ; and many varieties of our best fruits will not seed at all 

 without undergoing some such process. 

 Hqffield, near Ledbury, March 24'. 1837. 



Mr. Beaton, the author of the above interesting and most original paper, 

 is the author of the " Account of the Vineyard and Plantations of the cele- 

 brated Jacob Tonson, the Bookseller and Publisher, which were made at 

 Hafiield in 1727," in our preceding Volume, p. 114.; of the remarks on 

 fuchsias. Vol. XI. p. 580. ; and of an article, in a future page, on the mistletoe. 

 He has been gardener and general manager to William Gordon, Esq., at 

 Hafiield, for the last eight years ; and only leave? his situation in conse- 

 quence of the death of his employer, and the reduction of the establishment. 

 While in the employment of Mr. Gordon, he had, as he informs us, peculiar 

 advantages for acquiring professional knowledge, being allowed the travelling 

 expenses which he annually incurred in visiting gardens in distant parts of the 

 country, including the London nurseries ; and even the expense of an exten- 

 sive correspondence with gardeners was defrayed by Mr. Gordon, who allowed 

 him the free use of his extensive library. Mr. Beaton is in the prime of life, 

 and unmarried ; and, if he should not hear of a situation before, will, after 

 visiting Scotland, to see the state of improvement in farming and garden- 

 ing there, return to London. In the mean time he may be heard of by 

 application to Mr. Munro of the Horticultural Society's Garden, or Mr. Low 

 of the Clapton Nursery. How well deserving such a man is of a first-rate 

 situation, it is unnecessary for us to state to any who have read his commu- 

 nications. We sincerely hope he will soon meet with one adequate to his 

 deserts. — Cond. 



Art. IV. Elevation and Description of a Cast-iron Espalier Rail 

 erected in the Gardens of Maeslaugh Castle, Radnorshire, By 

 James Alexander, Gardener there. 



Having erected, in the garden here, in 1834, upwards of 

 1200 ft. of cast-iron espalier railing, I herewith send you a plan 

 and description of the same. The columns are Ifin. square at 

 the base, tapering a little upwards, with a small urn screwed on 

 the top. They stand 9 ft. apart, and are leaded into large blocks 



