EDGINGS ¥0R PARKS, PUBLIC GARDENS, DRIVES, ETC. 593 



larger and modified application of the same plan would do 

 well for large espalier trees ; indeed, I have seen it applied 

 with good efiect, and it perfectly suits a method which is 

 not uncommon in France, of keeping the upper branches of 

 trees, trained horizontally, shorter than the lower ones (Fig. 

 364), so as to secure perfect vigour in the lower branches. 

 This trellis may be established at a trifling cost by using light 

 posts of rough wood, or, if permanent, and greater strength 

 be desired, of T-iron. In either case the posts must be 

 firmly fixed. The wire should be passed through a hole or 

 strong eye in the top of the pole, and fixed with stones 

 or irons in the ground. In order to train the shoots 

 straight, their rods may be extended from the post to the 

 wires with but little trouble. Other illustrations of the 

 neatest and best trellises in use in French gardens occur in 

 several parts of this volume. Those in the Imperial gardens 

 at Versailles cannot be surpassed for appearance and 

 durability. 



Edgings for Parks, Public Gardens, Squares, Drives, 

 &c. — The edgings in gardens have a very important bearing 

 on their general aspect, and often on their cleanliness. Hosts 

 of people with gardens are continually lookiog out for a good 

 edging, and many are taken in by the aspect of those made 

 of tiles, material, &c. Any variety of brick, imitation stone, 

 or terra-cotta edging, is the ugliest and most unsatisfactory 

 thing that can be admitted into an ornamental garden. 

 Massive edgings of stone around panels, in geometrical 

 gardens, are of course not included in those alluded to. 

 Pottery edgings are enough to spoil the prettiest garden 

 ever made, and are as much at home round a country seat 

 as a red Indian at a mild evening party. 



Looking at them as they are carefully arranged by ex- 

 hibitors in one or two of our public gardens, you may 

 possibly think they are clean, symmetrical, and everything 

 to be desired. But when brought home and arranged 

 round the borders their true charms begin to display them- 

 selves. Being all of an exact pattern, they must be arranged 

 so as to look quite straight in the line. If they wabble 

 about, one this way and one that, the line is not agreeable, 



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