ON THE FORMATION OF BORDERS FOR WALL FRUIT. 365 
cut away twice or thrice in the course of the year, thus keeping the 
roots constantly increasing in extent, and, what is worse, increasing in 
power, only to perpetuate useless and barren growth, fruit being rarely 
produced, except occasionally at the points of the branches. 
A skilful pruner and trainer, it is true, may so far correct luxuriance 
under such circumstances, that, by allowing no summer shoots to be 
produced except the leaders, and in other places where new shoots may 
be wanted, the roots would be also checked, and then they would do 
no more than is required of them ; but this is a manipulation which, 
if known to be necessary, is too little practised. 
To have trees of moderate growth, and at the same time prolific, it 
is undoubtedly better management to confine the roots in a congenial 
bed, than by encouraging unnecessary expansion cause an overgrowth 
of the head, and which must be checked by some unnatural process, 
such as "ringing,” taking up and replanting, cutting off the strongest 
roots, &c., &c. Such expedients are had recourse to, to check luxuri¬ 
ance of trees, and often with good effect; but surely any step that 
can be previously taken in the management of the tree to render such 
violent measures unnecessary, is better far than having to check the 
tree in the middle of its growth. 
In forming fruit borders, therefore, great depth and rich manuring 
should be avoided, and a dry and hard bottom, if possible, obtained. 
The bounds horizontally need not be defined, because the further the 
horizontal range the better, provided that the roots are kept near 
enough the surface 3 air and heat of the sun are both necessary, and 
seem grateful to roots, provided they are at the same time in darkness. 
In dry weather roots will descend in quest of moisture further than is 
beneficial to the trees at other seasons, but they may be kept up by 
mulching. 
The grape vine requires but a thin layer of good soil to root in, but 
should have as wide a range as possible; they feed near the surface, 
and are much benefited by mulching with old hotbed dung at all 
seasons. 
Peaches and nectarines require a somewhat deeper soil than the 
vine, but it would be well if their roots could be kept within a foot of 
the surface ; a similar depth is sufficient for the apple. Pears, plums, 
and cherries require a somewhat deeper staple, but none even of these 
should be invited to root deeply. 
It may be objected, perhaps, that planting fruit trees in so thin a 
stratum of soil, the latter would soon be exhausted of its nutritive qua¬ 
lities, and after a few years would become unfit for the support of the 
trees. Such fears are reasonable, but fruit borders should be treated 
