On cropping Fruit-tree Borders. 243 



dying the evil is, I think, worthy of regard. Every practical 

 gardener cannot help appreciating the value of a south border 

 for early crops of peas, beans, kidneybeans, &c. ; and, in spite 

 of the regard he may have for his fruit trees, and the desire he 

 may feel to see them in a prosperous condition, still, he will very 

 reluctantly give up that portion of the garden which is so ad- 

 vantageous for the purposes of an early crop of the more delicate 

 kinds of vegetables; and, although such a crop, whether of peas, 

 or any other, may, according to Mr. Errington's hints (p. 129.), 

 be obtained within a week of that on a wall border, still this 

 will not sufficiently gratify those who pride themselves on being 

 the first in their neighbourhood to succeed in bringing an early 

 crop to perfection, and with whom the priority of a single day 

 may be considered a triumph. 



In order, therefore, to secure the advantages necessary for wall- 

 fruit trees, and for obtaining early crops of vegetables at the 

 same time, a totally different system from that which heretofore 

 has been generally pursued seems to be necessary. I would 

 therefore suggest that, in the laying out of a new garden of con- 

 siderable extent, a compartment should be appropriated expressly 

 for the purpose of growing early crops of vegetables ; and that 

 in this compartment there should be erected screens of some 

 material or other, running east and west, say at about 20 ft. 

 distant from each other, and about 6 ft. high, between which 

 borders and walks might be formed. With regard to the ma- 

 terials to be used for the erection of such screens, it may be left 

 to the judgment of those who may be favourably disposed to the 

 plan here hinted at; taking into consideration the most efficient, 

 and, at the same time, the cheapest mode of carrying the plan 

 into effect. In old gardens, where it may be inconvenient to 

 have a new compartment attached, I should recommend one, or 

 part of one, of the quarters to be appropriated for it ; and, 

 whether in a new or an old garden, the most sheltered spot 

 might be selected for the above purpose. These screens, if 

 constructed of solid materials, and which would be best for the 

 refraction of light and heat, might be also convenient for train- 

 ing young fruit trees, growing tomatoes, &c. ; and, if not wanted 

 for such purposes, a row of peas or kidneybeans may be sown 

 close to the screen, the former of which might be confined to 

 it with strands of bast, or any other material; and in this posi- 

 tion they could easily be protected from early cutting winds and 

 sharp frosts, and thus enable the cultivator to sow earlier, with 

 a prospect of almost certain success. 



If objections arise against the allotment of a compartment for 



permanent screening, I should recommend something of the 



kind that might be portable, constructed in about 10 ft. lengths, 



to be fixed in any part of the garden that might be considered 



T 4 



