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MOYEABLE SCREENS FOR WALL-FRUIT TREES. 
On this wall are some Figs and Grape Vines which were planted three years ago, and 
have carried a beautiful crop of fruit this season. The Grapes, which still hang upon the 
wall, are well swelled and beautifully coloured ; and, from their very plump appearance, 
they promise fair to keep better than those in the hothouses. 
With regard to flavour, a neighbouring nobleman who was passing through the gardens 
a few days since, on tasting these Grapes, pronounced them superior in flavour to those 
which are subjected to the more artificial treatment of the regular vinery. 
It is proper to mention that the wall is flued ; but the only heat it receives is by 
leading into it the flues of the Pine stoves, which are situated at a short distance. This 
is sufficient to keep the wall properly aired, but without any additional expense being 
incurred for fuel. 
The results of my experiments have been so satisfactory, that I intend, with my 
employer’s permission, to carry out the same plan of covering upon every wall on which we 
cultivate the choicer fruits above mentioned ; as I am thoroughly convinced, that where 
other points are properly attended to, a crop may be ensured by these simple protective 
means ; and as it makes all the difference between certainty and uncertainty, I think it 
will answer any one’s purpose to incur the additional expense. 
As there are many equally anxious with myself to combine utility and convenience, 
with genuine economy, I am induced to describe my mode of proceeding at the present 
season, that they may be able to apply it by the time when it will be most required. 
The boards I use for the purpose are about twelve inches wide and one inch thick, and 
are screwed down to strong iron straps, which extend across the coping, and are held in 
their places by their ends being leaded into the stone. One edge of these boards lies on 
the coping, and has the same inclination, which is from front to back. By this arrange- 
ment, the water which falls on the boards, as well as that which falls on the coping, runs 
into a small groove or gutter at the lower edge of the latter ; and from thence is conducted to 
the drains, by an occasional down spout. By this means we prevent the usual dribbling of 
the water upon the trees which cover the back of the wall, which is the more important, as 
this evil exists to the greatest extent when it is least endurable. 
At the distance of two feet from the wall, a line of light neatly dressed poles are fixed 
in the ground, ten feet apart, and the upper ends are nailed to the edge of the boards. The 
object of the poles is to assist in supporting the canvas, and, by keeping it far enough from 
the w'alls, to prevent its injuring the trees when swayed about by the wind. The pieces of 
canvas are generally twenty feet long, and their width of course is regulated by the height 
of the wall. One edge of these, with narrow strips of cow leather as binding, is nailed on 
to the front edge of the boards, and the other edge is fastened in a similar manner to rollers 
of the same length as the pieces of canvas. The position of these is so arranged that the 
centre of each comes exactly half-way between two of the poles, and the ends are then 
evenly balanced. 
The provision for drawing these blinds or screens up or down, is the next point of 
which a description is required. On the edge of the boards two pulleys are fixed sidewise, 
immediately over the centre of each roller. The end of a cord, of sufficient strength, is 
then fastened to the wooden coping at each end of each piece of canvas ; these ropes are 
then passed down behind the canvas, returned up in front of it, and threaded through the 
pulleys which are fixed over the centre. At this point the two cords are connected, and 
one of them is left sufficiently long to be within reach of the ground. 
In applying the method to the rest of our walls, it is my intention to deviate somewhat 
from the plan described above, by substituting iron uprights or standards instead of wooden 
poles. This will involve a little additional expense in the prime cost ; but the difference 
in this respect between iron and wood, in general is more than counterbalanced by the 
superior durability of the metal ; and, in addition to this, our framework will be much lighter 
and neater in appearance. 
I have long been convinced that the great breadth which is generally devoted to the 
roots of wall-fruit trees, is not only useless but extravagant. Upon 12-feet walls I have 
therefore limited their roots to a border five feet wide and eighteen inches deep. Against 
