222 



TREATISE ON THE CULTURE AND 



The borders under the walls, in the infide, fhould be from 

 ten to twenty feet wide, according to the fize of the garden, 

 to give full liberty to the roots of the trees to fpread. There 

 fhould be a foot path about two feet and a half from the wall, 

 for the greater convenience of nailing the trees, gathering the 

 fruit, &c. This walk fhould be from two to two feet and a 

 half wide (to admit a barrow, or barrow engine for watering 

 the trees), and covered with fand, or, which is better, coal- 

 afhes*, about two or three inches thick ; but without any 

 gravel or rubbiih below. On thefe borders you may have 

 early or late crops 5 according to the afpecl: ; but by no means 

 plant any deep-rooting plants, fuch as cabbages, beans, 

 peas, &c. (except early frame peas), which would be very 

 hurtful to the trees. 



The reafons for allotting part of the outfide flip next the 

 liable for hot-beds for raifmg Melons and Cucumbers, are, 

 firft, becaufe there will be no litter to carry-in within the walls 

 to dirty the walks ; fecondly, the beds will not be feen from 

 the garden ; and laftly, the convenience of carrying the dung, 

 by which a great deal of time will be faved in carting and 

 wheeling. 



It will be neceflary, efpecially in expofed fituations, to en- 

 clofe the Melon-ground with either a wall or paling from fix to 

 eight feet high. It was formerly a practice to enclofe Melon- 

 grounds with reed fences ; but, although they are tolerably 

 warm, and eafily removed from one place to another (being 

 made in feparate panels), they are very apt to harbour 

 vermin. 



* Slugs avoid coal afh walks, efpecially when new-laid and rough ; fuch walks, there- 

 fore, may be oi fen -ice, as they will, in iorae degree, obftrucl the paffage of Hugs and 

 fnaiis from one quarter to another. 



Melons 



