THE CULINARY GARDEN. 



15 



walk, and present a neat appearance ; but this, if well done, 

 becomes expensive, and cannot be carried to a gi'eat extent 

 with a due regard to economy. 



Whether gravel or any of these substitutes be used, it is 

 necessary to have an edging of some sort or another ; that of 

 box is certainly to be preferred, as being the neatest and re- 

 quiring the least ti'ouble in the management of it. Thrift, 

 (Statice armeria,) is often used, and will last for a couple of 

 years, but it requires to be replanted so often, that it cannot 

 be recommended. Various other sorts of edging, such as 

 bricks placed on edge, slates, deal, &c., are used, but are all 

 objectionable. Grass edgings are sometimes laid, but they 

 require to be often mowed, and at best have an unseemly 

 appearance. 



In gardens of small extent, edgings are sometimes formed 

 of useful kinds of vegetables, such as parsley, strawberries, 

 thyme, hyssop, winter savory, or chamomile ; these, while they 

 remain young and ungathered, have an effect not out of cha- 

 racter with the kitchen-garden. There are some persons who 

 dispense with all sorts of edgings, and merely defend the edges 

 of the walks with a beaten border, which they renew as occa- 

 sion may require. 



WALLS, 



Walls are constructed of various materials, such as brick, 

 stone, wood, mud, or flints. The chief use of walls is for 

 the production of fruits, which will not arrive at an equal de- 

 gree of perfection on espaliers or standard-trees. They are 

 also of use to surround the kitchen-garden, for the better ex- 

 clusion of hares and rabbits, which cannot be kept out by any 

 other fence. They also afford a considerable degi'ee of shelter, 

 and, by the reflection of the rays of heat on the borders, ren- 

 der them better calculated for the production of tender vege- 

 tables at a season earlier than they would be produced in the 

 open quarters of the garden. 



Many good kitchen-gardens, however, considered merely as 

 such, are wholly destitute of walls. Fences of various mate- 

 rials and constructions have been used in former times, and 



