18 ^ 
CONSERVATIVE WALLS. 
the summer, to cover and adorn with flowers any vacancy in the lower portion c' 
the wall. This proves a convenient spot for cultivating many beautiful tende 
plants, such as Achimenes^ Alstroemeria^ Tropwolum tricolorum^ and other slende; 
free-flowering species, that can hardly be kept completely healthy in the ordinarj 
flower-pot. 
The planting should take place as early in the season as security from frost ca 
be depended upon. By this means there will be a longer summer to grow in 
and perfect growth ; whilst, if deferred, it is more than probable that at the clos 
of the summer the new shoots will be too watery and tender to stand through 
winter without much additional trouble and expense, as well as injury and loss. 
A trellis in front of the wall, to tie the shoots to as they form, is an essential 
appanage ; and it is a matter of some moment to have the young wood regularl; 
secured as it extends ; for when left to be blown about by the wind, the sap i 
prevented from flowing so freely, and the progress of the shoots is retarded. I 
is chiefly required before the plants have covered the space allotted to them 
afterwards, they may be permitted to grow more loosely, to take off any appeari^ 
ance of stiffness and uniformity ; only observing to prevent them from pushin| 
out too far from the wall, and acquiring a negligent and untidy wildness. Mos 
shrubs of anything like a bushy character in their ordinary form, push out fa 
too much breast- wood when trained against a wall, and once established ; hences 
it will be necessary to go over them occasionally in the summer time, and removJ 
a few wherever they appear crowded and incapable of gaining a complete exposurj 
to air and light. This is a feature which considerably affects the proper ripenin| 
of the wood, — an all-important point in the management of tender plants in im 
open air. Much pruning, however, may be in some measure prevented, and witl 
benefit, by disbudding in spring, as gardeners commonly do with Peach-trees f 
nevertheless, some degree of thinning will always be needful in autumn, to allo\ij| 
the sun to act more fully upon those shoots which remain. Some time in October! 
or November if the season continue mild, the plants should receive their fina 
dressing preparatory to passing the winter. The shoots which were before alloweci 
to grow unrestrained, must then be fastened as close to the trellis as possible, irj 
order to give them a better prospect of existing uninjured till spring ; and if tliis 
be neatly performed, it will not detract much from their beauty. ' 
Whatever be the mode of winter protection, whether by canvass, screens, oi' 
glass lights, there will be no occasion for it to be set up till frosty nights com- 
mence in autumn, and even then it will not be requisite, nor yet judicious, tc 
cover the plants, except on nights when frost is likely to occur. During the day 
and on mild nights, it is preferable to leave them exposed ; and that not only al, 
the commencement of winter, but throughout its duration. No favourable chance! 
must ever be neglected for exposing them ; neither should fires ever be kindled, 
except when other means are insufficient to keep the temperature above freezing, 
The reason for this is obvious : if plants during their cessation from growth arCi 
