FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDENS NEAR PARIS. 



233 



becomes almost impossible to tell where the shortening was 

 effected. This is contrary to the rule usually laid down and fol- 

 lowed in this country, which is to cut behind the bud. A bend 

 is the consequence. But the thickest layers of wood are formed 

 in front of the branch : the wound is in fact longer in healing 

 over where this depends on the convergence of thin layers, than 

 where they are thick ; consequently, a wound in front is sooner 

 healed over than one at the back. 



For pruning wood under two years of age, the instrument called 

 a Secateur is chiefly employed ; and this I saw plied with great 

 dexterity. For summer-pruning, and shortening one-year old 

 shoots, it is far preferable to the knife, particularly in the case 

 of the Peach tree, where the part left is, at the next pruning, 

 entirely cut away. In cutting close to the main branch, it is 

 necessary to use the knife. If secateurs could be obtained as 

 well made as those I saw in use, I am certain they would be 

 much more employed in this country. 



The borders for the Peach-trees are prepared to the distance 

 of 5 or 6 feet from the wall by trenching 2 feet deep, mixing the 

 soil well with manure. The trees are planted 6 inches from the 

 wall. In many of the enclosures the rest of the ground is occu- 

 pied with vines. In summer, the labour of watering must be very 

 great. The Almond is much employed as stocks for the trees. 



Although the soil is not rich, yet the trees are vigorous enough, 

 with the little manure that is occasionally forked into the borders 

 when the trees come to bear heavy crops. The cultivators attend 

 well in summer to the equal distribution of the sap ; and they adopt 

 means to prevent it being wasted by over luxuriant shoots, or 

 gourmands. To this, and to the shortening of the bearing-shoots 

 to 6 or 8 inches, is to be attributed the success which attends the 

 cultivation of the Peach at Montreuil. To M. Lepere we were 

 much indebted for the full details which he obligingly furnished 

 of all particulars connected with the different modes of culti- 

 vation. 



Fontainebleau and Thomery. — We reached Fontainebleau 

 March 12, about noon. The inhabitants say its name is a cor- 

 ruption, by contraction oinFontaine-belle-eau — there being fine 

 springs of exceedingly pure water at this place and its vicinity ; 

 doubtless from being filtered through fine sand, which is said to 

 be valuable for making flint-glass. Snow commenced falling 

 thickly in broad flakes, so that we only saw the water in a com- 

 paratively turbid state, from the influx of the former. 



Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather, 

 M. Souchet, of the Royal Gardens at the Palace of Fontaine- 

 bleau, had the kindness to conduct us to the vine-walls, which 



