ERECTIONS, ETC. 315 
be affected by our frequent severe westerly gales. When in 
bloom, or when the fruit is ripening, would be the period 
that they would be most liable to suffer. However, as they 
would frequently produce a full crop, an astonishing quantity 
of fruit may be produced on a very small space of ground 
by erecting walls of this description, built parallel to, and 
not far distant from, each other — say, at the nearest, from 
twenty to twenty-five feet. If from local causes bricks can- 
not be had, a good substitute will be found in strong ranges 
of plank fencing made of well-seasoned wood, and closely 
jointed, having three or four good coats of oil paint. Grapes 
raised in this way will be nowise inferior to those produced 
on walls : indeed, we would prefer such to any wall of stone 
that could be erected, it being of a more even surface and 
more convenient for training, and not giving harbour for in- 
sects, &c. A very great advantage will be derived by having 
a coping on the wall or fence, projecting eight or ten inches, 
turning on a pivot, so as it can be used in time of heavy 
dashing rains while the vines are in bloom, or when the fruit 
is ripening, which are the only periods that it will be of ac- 
tual service, for all dews and light rains are indispensable to 
the health and maturity of the vine ; and if the fence is 
north and south, the light and heat excluded by it would be 
a serious drawback on the ripening of the fruit. We say, 
therefore, if it is not on a pivot, the plants will be better 
without it, unless it have only one or two inches of a pro- 
jection, the dripping from the coping will fall on the foliage, 
and that will cany it entirely free from the fruit ; but we 
urge the great utility and even necessity for movable coping. 
Espaliers or trelises are in common use for the training of 
the vine, also arbours ; the former suit admirably in small 
gardens where it is not desirable to go to expense, but the 
latter should be avoided as the worst possible construction 
for growing grapes ; the interior is always filled with a cur- 
rent of cold air highly prejudicial to the maturity of fine 
fruits ; but for coarse grapes it is a matter of little conse- 
quence, as they are at best only fit for producing shade. Up- 
right trellises in city gardens may be made eight feet high, 
with the spars not more than six inches apart ; and these 
.should be made of the very best materials, and supported 
every three feet by uprights. Strong wire makes an elegant 
substitute for the cross slats, which, if kept well painted, 
