78 



NAILING. 



from the reflection of the sun. Both are alike 

 objectionable, in addition to the reasons al- 

 ready assigned, because they are expensive 

 in the erection and keeping them in repair. 



When a wall is built of stone, and the 

 joints are far apart, a trellis fixed close to 

 it might assist the better regulating of the 

 branches, it having a more ready means of 

 securing them. But if a trellis is designed, 

 one made of small wire stretched from the 

 top to the bottom of the wall, with two or 

 three cross pieces in order to keep the upright 

 wires steady and in their proper places, is 

 far preferable to a trellis made of wood; the 

 wire must be painted, otherwise the rust 

 formed upon it would be injurious to the 

 trees. 



The sort of nails proper for use in pursuing 

 the old method is, those made of wrought 

 iron with square heads, and about one inch 

 long; stronger nails than those are requisite 

 for securing large branches. Some persons 

 use cast iron nails, instead of wrought iron 

 ones, with a view of saving expense; but 

 they are generally dearer in the end, as 

 they will not admit of being straightened or 

 pointed like the other, and they are also 

 very apt to break in the act of driving them 

 into the wall, the shoots also are frequently 

 injured by the slipping of the hammer. But 

 whether the nails be of wrought iron or cast 

 metal, they ought not to have sharp edges 



