254 Espalier Rail at Cossey Hall. 



by its means be raised nearer to the surface, thus at once with 

 ease and safety bringing their roots into a region more conducive 

 to the health and fruitfulness of the trees. It may likewise be 

 found useful in removing large plants from green-houses or con- 

 servatories, such as orange trees, aloes, &c. It should be made 

 of the best malleable iron, with the exception of the wheels and 

 the pole ; the former may be made of cast iron or wood, and the 

 latter of any material that may be found convenient, only, if 

 made of wood, it will require to be of the cleanest-grown ash or 

 elm. The whole expense does not exceed 4/. 



Rossie Priory, Inchture, Perthshire, Jan. 14. 1840. 



Art. VII, Notice of an Espalier Rail put up in Cosscy Hall Gar- 

 dens. By J. Wighton, Gardener there. 



An espalier railing in Cossey Hall Gardens was put up 

 there in the year 1830. It differs from any that I have seen. 

 It is made of iron, except the posts at the ends, which are of 

 oak. It cost less than some I have seen of wood, which in a 

 few years would go to decay. The chief feature in which it 

 differs from all others which I have met with, is in the hori- 

 zontal direction of the iron rods. All other espaliers which I 

 have observed, whether of iron or wood, have been on the old 

 plan of perpendicular stakes or poles. The* best I have seen, 

 except the one in Cossey Gardens, was planned by the late Mr. 

 Hay of Edinburgh, but it was still on the upright plan, giving 

 the gardens a disagreeable caged appearance. This is not the 

 effect of the espalier which I am describing. For the rods run- 

 ning horizontally, as the branches grow along them, the rods 

 are concealed. The upright iron divisions which support the 

 rods are seen, it is true; but they are very thin, and placed 

 12 ft. asunder. 



A rail of this construction is very simple, and will last very 

 long, if kept well painted. In Cossey Gardens there are 230 

 yards of this espalier. I have tried it with some of the best 

 varieties of French pears, and found them ripen well. I have 

 frequently seen good espalier rails with common apples and 

 pears, that would have done well on standards. 



The only objection I have heard made against the horizontal 

 rail of which I am speaking is, that there would be some 

 trouble in making the trees shoot out their branches at the ex- 

 act distances required. But to this I should answer, that I 

 have never found it more troublesome than to train horizontal 

 branches along the courses of a brick wall. And it is one great 

 advantage of this espalier, that the branches can be so easily 

 trained along its horizontal iron rods. 



Cossey Hall Gardens, Ajml 10. 1839. 



