January 12 , 1888. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
29 
With reference to my statement that the quantity of caustic lime 
used was sufficient to destroy everything in the shape of nitrogenous 
food, and which statement “ Proprietor ” more than questions, adding 
facts about lime becoming carbonised, which nobody disputes, I must 
point out that there are conditions to be taken into consideration in the 
vinery which do not occur in the laboratory or the corn field. In a well- 
fed Vine border the greater part of the best roots are very near the sur¬ 
face, and from these surface roots, owing to the action of atmospheric 
influences, assuming the borders to be inside, it is reasonable to suppose 
the plants draw their first supplies in the spring. Supposing, then, you 
apply caustic lime in large quantities, “ washing it well in,” will not 
this liberate most of the ammonia near the surface, some of it going oS 
into the air and much of it down at least lower than the surface roots, 
and these being inactive at the time are helpless ? “ That such a dress¬ 
ing of lime is rendered perfectly innocuous within three months of ap¬ 
plication ” is altogether wide of the mark, unless the application was 
made only in the autumn, and it must be remembered that Mr. Castle 
applies it in autumn, spring, and summer. 
“ Proprietor ” cites the case of a garden within his knowledge on 
which the application of 14 lbs. of lime to the yard worked immediate 
and startling results. Quite so, but would a similar application, or 
WIRE FENCES ON FRUIT WALLS. 
In the Journal of August 18th, 1887, a description and illustration 
appeared of the famous Vine at Manresa House, Roehampton, and it 
was stated that on another occasion an innovation in growing wall 
fruits, that might be fairly called the Davisian method, would be re¬ 
ferred to as simple, profitable, and economical. The engraving repre¬ 
sents a wall 8 feet high, against which Victoria Plum trees were planted 
four years ago, and the soil being good the trees soon reached the top 
of the wall. Mr. Davis having practised what is known as the “ ex¬ 
tension ” system of fruit culture for years before it was written about by 
younger men, did not even restrict the growths when they reached the 
top of the wall, but trained them in the simple manner represented. It 
was not, however, an experiment with him, for he had proved the value 
of the plan as applied to a Pear wall for some years, and which is now 
in evidence, or was very much so a few months ago, for there were more 
Pears on the fence on the top than on the side of the wall below. 
Fig 4.—plum WALL AT MANRESA HOUSE. 
indeed any application of lime on the same garden in the follow¬ 
ing year have had a similar effect ? Were the said garden in the hands 
of “ Proprietor,” he would have preferred farmyard manure for the 
second dressing. So, too, in the case quoted from “ Vines at Longleat,” 
an unusually heavy dressing of lime was given while the roots were 
active, but heavy feeding followed, and possibly the lime given then is 
not yet all exhausted. 
“Proprietor” says, “ I m.aintain, therefore, that the 14 lbs. of lime 
applied by Mr. S. Castle to the Vine borders in February had ceased to 
be able to exert much, if any, injurious effects on the food which was 
given to the Vines in May and June.” Granted. But the Vines would 
flower in April, and the roots would only commence action somewhat 
earlier in the same month, after considerable top growth had been made. 
It is just at this time when the stored up material in the Vine itself is 
no longer sufficient for its wants that the question of setting, stoning, 
and consequently swelling is determined. Anything which interf. res 
then, even for a single day, with the young tender rootlets taking up the 
needful supplies mars the chances of success. Many failures are caused 
at this time with too much or too little water, also with strong manure, 
and of course failure must also ensue if the nitrogen has all been 
driven off. 
In such cases the vigour of the Vines is not decreased, it is often 
increased in the course of the summer owing to the fact that there are 
fewer seeds to perfect.— Wm. Taylor. 
I NOTICE a slight printer’s error in my last article. I am made to 
say “ the use of gypsum is perfectly safe in any safe quantity,” which 
amounts to saying it is safe when it is safe. I said it is safe in any sane 
quantity, which is intelligible.—P roprietor. 
The plan of increasing the crops from wall trees is simple in the ex¬ 
treme, and the cost triiing in comparison with the profit resulting. As 
will be seen, ordinary fiat iron standards are affixed on the top of the 
walls and fencing wire stretched along from end to end. Some of the 
standards are made to grasp the wall, reaching down a foot or so, and 
there fastened to the masonry, and are about 12 feet apart. The Plum 
wall is heightened 6 feet, and last year the value of the crop on the 
trellis probably exceeded that on the 8 feet of wall below, and more 
than defrayed the cost of the extension, which will last for years. 
Mr. Davis is emphatically an utilitarian, and in whatever he does 
and he does a great deal, he has an eye to profit, the surplus fruit from 
the garden being sold. On the day of my visit in August he had 
gathered 400 Peaches, and he had perhaps 200 Melons cut in the fruit 
room, his crop being 700 from two pits—the varieties Moreton Hall and 
Hero of Lockinge. His annual sale of fruit of various kinds is about 
6 tons. 
The Manresa Gardens, though not showy, are worthy of inspection 
in early August. When the Grapes on the Great Vine are nearly ripe 
the sight is one to be remembered, and alone worth a considerable 
journey ; the wire-fenced walls and other good work will receive a 
passing glance ; and the bright intelligence and genial character of 
Mr. Davis enhances the pleasure of a visit to those of kindred tastes 
with himself.—J. W. 
