FORM. 



209 



polygon more nearly approaching the circle, it being 

 well known that the circle contains the greatest space 

 within the smallest perimeter. Among practical 

 men there is an impression, which is probably well 

 founded, that walls of a circular, or polygonal config- 

 uration are more frequently and injuriously swept 

 along by winds than those of the ordinary rectangular 

 forms. Every ardent horticulturist wishes to have 

 as much wall as possible with a southern aspect. In- 

 deed, such is the superiority of climate on these walls, 

 that it is somewhat surprising that they are not more 

 frequently multiplied by being built in the interior of 

 gardens, running from east to west, as in the peach- 

 gardens in France. The massive, and therefore expen- 

 sive, style in which garden walls are commonly built 

 in this country probably accounts for the neglect of so 

 obvious an advantage. We would nevertheless recom- 

 mend such intersectional walls of moderate height and 

 slight construction to those who have a taste for fine 

 fruit, and who are forming gardens on surfaces with 

 a considerable slope toward the south. 



The additional warmth afforded by walls is a matter 

 of great importance, and is therefore generally taken 

 into account, and is allowed due weight in regulating 

 the form of gardens. The finer kinds of fruit-trees 

 grown in the open air, and cultivated in the United 

 Kingdom, require all the protection and aid which walls 

 afford to trees trained on them, in order properly to 

 mature their fruit. The position of walls has a mate- 

 rial effect on the climate : that is the best in which the 

 line of the wall is at right angles to the meridian of 

 the place, giving one of the sides a directly south 

 aspect, though, to suit the ground, one a few degrees 



