26 



THE GARDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



In general, a fall of half an inch in a foot is 

 quite sufficient. This amounts to 6 inches for 

 a border 12 feet wide; and 9 inches for 18 feet 

 wide. 



The amount of slope to be calculated for the 

 surface of the borders is more dependent on cir- 

 cumstances than that of the bottom. In localities 

 where the climate is good, and where the average 

 quantity of rain does not exceed 24 inches, the 

 surface of the border may lie nearly level; for 

 trees in such places require, against a south wall 

 at least, all the rain that falls on the border, and 

 frequently more. On the other hand, where the 

 climate is cold and wet, a good slope is advan- 

 tageous, not only for throwing off superabundant 

 moisture, but also for obtaining the heat from 

 the sun. In such a case the slope may be as 

 much as 1 in 12, or an inch in every foot; so 

 that a border 12 feet wide would be a foot 

 higher at the wall than at the side next the 

 walk; and if 18 feet wide, 18 inches higher. 

 Under ordinary circumstances, a slope of 1 in 

 18 is ample fall. 



If the bottom of the border is lower than the 

 adjoining subsoil, and the two are not separated 

 by an effective drain, the water from the higher 

 subsoil will naturally drain into the bottom of 

 the border, and cause the soil to become sour. If 

 the border is cut off from the rest of the ground 

 by a proper drain, it will not so readily become 

 water-logged. Let fig. 825 re- 

 present a drain, and a the level 

 of the surface of the subsoil, 

 below which saturation occa- 

 sionally takes place. This being 

 the case, the drain must be cut deep enough to 

 draw off the water for at least a foot below the 

 bottom of the soil of the border at a. The bottom 

 of a fruit-tree border should not, if possible, be 

 lower than the general level of the subsoil a, 

 which would be the case if it were dug out 

 down to c, and even at b it is liable to be 

 damp; it should therefore be above the line a b, 

 as at d. The height of the bottom d above a b 

 should not be less than 3 inches, and it might 

 with greater advantage be a foot were it not for 

 diminishing by so much the height of the wall. 

 This involves the additional expense of four 

 courses of bricks; but if that could be afforded, 

 it would be compensated by the advantages 

 arising from the roots of the trees being per- 

 fectly secure from an excess of moisture, and 

 both foliage and fruit would be more exposed 

 to air and light. In low damp situations these 

 advantages are of great importance. If this plan 

 is followed, the surface of the border will be 



raised above the general level, unless the border 

 have a less depth of soil than the rest of the 

 garden. It then becomes a question whether 

 the level of the walks should be made to corre- 

 spond with the general level of the ground or 

 with that of the border. This, however, will be 

 considered when we come to the subject of 

 walks. 



It is a question whether fruit-tree borders 

 should be paved in the bottom, laid with con- 

 crete, or otherwise rendered impenetrable to the 

 roots of trees. The soil of the most productive 

 part of Kent is largely composed of rock brash, 

 or debris, and is locally known as hassock or 

 stone-shatter. The surface of this is a mixture 

 of friable loam, largely intermixed with small 

 pieces of light-coloured Kentish ragstone, and 

 it is from 6 inches to 2 feet deep, resting on 

 solid rock. This land produces hops and fruit 

 in great abundance; likewise good crops of 

 Turnips, Potatoes, seeds, corn, and excellent 

 hay. Fruit-trees of all kinds nourish in it and 

 produce abundantly ; even Peach and Pear trees 

 grow with great luxuriance, and are free from 

 disease. 



To what are such results to be attributed? Not 

 to the climate, for localities enjoying a higher 

 degree of temperature than the neighbourhood 

 of Maidstone do not produce such fruit. They 

 are due to the soil being naturally in that 

 state best suited for healthy growth. In such 

 a soil fruit-trees grow slowly, produce short- 

 jointed wood, and mature their tissues perfectly 

 as growth proceeds. Here, then, we have a 

 naturally hard rock-bottom producing a healthy 

 and fruitful vegetation. 



At Trentham, Staffordshire, on a clayey sub- 

 soil, to prevent the injurious effects of the 

 subsoil and situation, the fruit-tree borders are 

 concreted with satisfactory results. We may 

 therefore conclude that paving, or concreting, 

 I the bottom of fruit-tree borders is to be recom- 

 mended in all damp situations. It is of special 

 advantage where the subsoil contains substances 

 I injurious to vegetation. In such cases there can 

 be no question as to its utility, and therefore, 

 where expense is no object, it should always be 

 carried out. Fig. 826 shows the wall, construc- 

 tion of paved border, and path in section. 



Where the subsoil is good and not too moist, 

 paving may be dispensed with. Its advantages 

 depend upon the peculiarities of the soil, situa- 

 tion, and climate, concerning which everyone 

 must be guided by the circumstances of the 

 case. 



Concrete, or grout as builders term it, is a 



