322 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



This is one of the causes of the principal failure in all wire 

 fences and all metallic erections founded on wooden bases. 



Espalier rails are sometimes constructed of fi'ames fitted 

 with vertical bars, at eight or twelve inches asunder, and should 

 be nailed on in preference to mortising, in order to preserve 

 the strength of the upper and lower rails. The end stiles or 

 uprights of the frame should be set on {not in) stone piers, 

 and kept upright with irons leaded into the stone. Oaken 

 posts, or larch charred, are set into the ground instead of 

 stones, to which the stiles of the frames are attached, and if 

 they be wedged round at bottom with small stones, or brick- 

 bats, they will last for some years. They are all to be painted 

 some cheap color when put up, and this painting should be 

 renewed once every four or five years. The best materials 

 should be chosen for this purpose, as well as for all horticul- 

 tural erections, and not any rubbish, unfit for other purposes, 

 w^hich we daily see done upon the principle of what is called 

 economy. 



There are many other forms of espalier rails, but all appear 

 to possess some peculiar objection. The perpendicular is cer- 

 tainly the most preferable, besides having a more elegant and 

 natural appearance. The horizontal espalier rail or table is 

 objected to, because it constrains the trees into a form the most 

 unnatural, and is the most unflivorable position to enjoy the 

 rays of heat to advantage, as well as the loss of the surface of 

 the ground under it. The oblique espalier rail is objected to, 

 as only one side of the tree can enjoy any sun, and the other 

 side is too much shaded, when running from east to west, and 

 when from north to south can only enjoy half the day's sun. 



Between every second or third line of fruit-trees in the fruit- 

 garden, grass or gravel-walks should be made, for the conve- 

 nience of gathering the fruits, or other necessary manage- 

 ment, and the whole, in whatever shape it be constructed, 

 should be surrounded with a walk of moderate breadth, se- 

 parating the fruit-garden from the plantation for shelter, or 

 other parts of the grounds. This plantation for shelter should 

 be composed principally of fruit-trees of the more hardy kinds, 

 such as filberts in front, and chestnuts, walnuts, &c. in the 

 rear, intermixed with ornamental forest-trees and shrubs 



