CULTIVATION OF THE PEACH. 
159 
The shelter and protection afforded by a wall, 
as well as the increase of temperature to 
which the branches are subjected, by their 
contiguity to its surface, which is heated by 
means of the absorption of the sun's rays, is 
necessary in order to bring the Peach td its 
full maturity. But this artificial position in- 
volves artificial treatment : the branches can 
no longer extend in their due circumference 
beneath the canopy of heaven, and are con- 
strained to occupy a space which would seem 
only to be a section of the natural outline of 
the tree ; such a space as the plane surface of 
the wall against which they are planted. The 
roots, though confined to what may be re- 
garded as scarcely more than half their natural 
circle, are still possessed of a greater degree 
of freedom, and are less rigidly restrained 
than the branches. The natural balance be- 
tween the roots and the branches is in this 
way destroyed, and the preponderating influ- 
ence is given to the former ; the consequence 
is, that they supply from the soil a greater 
proportion of food or matter, than the latter 
can assimilate, in consequence of their limited 
surface and curtailed powers. It is in this 
particular that the great source of unfruitful - 
ness, not only in the case of Peaches, but of 
wall-trees generally, consists. This, however, 
is supposing the trees to be planted without a 
proper preparation of the border and the soil ; 
under such circumstances it could scarcely be 
otherwise, except, indeed, the soil were pecu- 
liarly sterile, and thus unable to supply too 
much food to the plants. It will be found to 
hold good as a principle, that just in propor- 
tion as the formation of a border for the roots 
of wall-trees is neglected, or improperly man- 
aged, in the same ratio will barrenness be the 
result. It must not be inferred, that the 
formation of the border in a proper manner 
is all that is required ; there are other atten- 
tions also required by the plant, which are as 
indispensable ; but those who apply their skill 
and their attention in laying and making good 
the foundation, are the most likely not after- 
wards to neglect the superstructure they have 
attempted to raise. 
Taking these remarks as being illustrative of 
daily proved facts, we must assume that the 
Peach-tree ought not to be planted in any 
situation, if good results are wished for, with- 
out some preparation of the soil: but here 
two conditions are presented to our view — 
there are dry situations, where the soil is 
shallow and sterile ; and there are also other 
situations, in which the soil is composed of 
richer, as well as deeper and moister strata. 
In proportion as soils naturally possess these 
latter qualities, they will need the attention 
we are now about to speak "of. 
The alteratives which are required by deep 
soils, resting on wet subsoils, are those con- 
ditions which supply thorough drainage, and 
decrease the depth of earth, so as by that 
means to bring the roots within the influence 
of the sun and the air. The first point, then, 
is elevation ; for it is found to be preferable 
to raise the borders in which fruit-trees are 
planted somewhat above the ordinary level, 
in order to give them an inclination of a few 
degrees towards the south, rather than to 
endeavour, by any means, to effect the drain- 
age which is necessary, without elevating the 
soil. The next point is the formation of 
drains, which may effectually carry off the 
moisture, as it passes downwards from the 
surface. These two points will be kept in 
view, in the remarks which follow on forming 
the border. 
The border intended for the growth of 
Peach-trees ought never to exceed two feet 
six inches in thickness ; that is, two feet deep 
of soil, and six inches of drainage beneath it. 
One foot of this, at least, should be elevated 
above the ordinary level of the ground ; and 
thus in excavating for the formation of the 
bottom of the border, not more than two feet 
need be taken out ; this depth will allow six 
inches for concrete at the bottom. The border 
should not be less than twenty feet in width ; 
and however desirable or plausible it may be, 
to supply this quantity of soil by instalments, 
as the roots extend outwards, it is absolutely 
requisite that the bottom for the whole should 
be formed at one time. The border should 
be sloping, so that although raised a foot or 
more above the level, at the base of the wall, 
it may gradually decline into that level at its 
extreme boundary. The bottom of the border, 
although sloping outwards at the same angle 
as the surface, should not form a uniform in- 
clined plane, but should be thrown into the 
form of depressed or flattened ridges, as repre- 
sented in the annexed longitudinal section of 
Fig. 1. 
the border. The valleys thus formed will 
serve to collect the superabundant moisture, 
and convey it outwards to a principal drain, 
parallel with the wall, which should occupy 
the extremity of the border, and should be so 
contrived as to secure a considerable inclina- 
tion, and thus readily carry off the water which 
would be conducted to it. These points being 
settled, spread over the whole bottom of the 
border, about six inches in thickness of con- 
crete, which may be formed from any local 
materials; and let this be made quite firm and 
