238 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
January 15. 
were we employed in laying out grounds, we should in¬ 
variably attempt to introduce characters of this descrip¬ 
tion. Where straight walks can be used in such inter¬ 
mediate portions, what more appropriate than the 
strained wire trellis, with, perhaps, annuals, tree roses, 
&c. Much more might he suggested as to their employ¬ 
ment as a decorative affair, but we must pass on to a 
consideration of their main features as useful appur¬ 
tenances of the fruit garden. 
We would wish it to be understood in the outset, that 
this trellis system must be coupled with the most perfect 
root control: without this the whole may prove decep¬ 
tive or unsatisfactory. Indeed, the want of this was 
the chief cause of the imperfect success of former days. 
Trees planted in rich soils, on improper stocks, with 
liberty at their roots to ramble uncontrolled, no wonder 
that they become barren, full of timber, and unmanag- 
able. How is it likely that any fruit tree, the bearing 
properties of which are totally dependant on the steady 
production of wood of very moderate robustness of 
character, should be able to produce and mature such 
wood by a close system of pruning, forced on the culti¬ 
vator by the circumstances of the case, with a root 
action equal to thrice the amount of leaves ? 
We shall, therefore, feel bound to join, at all times, a 
trellis-system with our platform-mode of planting, so 
fully detailed in back volumes of The Cottage Gar¬ 
dener. This we have so long jnoved, in such a host of 
cases, with every kind of fruit-tree, and with so much 
success, that we again beg to recommend it with the 
utmost confidence. Indeed, the dwarfing system, now 
so prevalent in gardens, at once points to the necessity 
for possessing as perfect a control over the root as the 
branches; large and coarse trees are not compatible 
with the general advance in horticulture, whether as 
to early profit or effect. 
We may now proceed to show the advantages, inde¬ 
pendent of mere appearance, that a line of trellis pos¬ 
sesses over a row of rough standards untrained. In the 
first place, it best admits Light, that great esseutial to a 
fruitful habit, as also to the promotion of high flavour, 
colour, qnd keeping properties in most fruits. There 
needs little argument to convince our readers that the 
trellis enjoys such advantages in a very superior degree, 
especially if the trees by the platform , or any other 
sound dwarfing mode, produce scarcely any waste spray. 
Equality of light is of the highest importance: this 
the ordinary standard does not acquire; there must be 
a shady side. 
Circulation of Air is another condition secured by 
the trellis; a condition conducive to the superiority of 
the fruit. It is necessary to distinguish well between a 
free circulation of air and wind. The circulation here 
alluded to, is merely an equaliser of heat; a cooling wind 
is a disperser of heat. Now, it is plain, that eddies of 
air cannot be induced by a trellis, as by a dead wall, or 
by the ordinary standard. The wind, therefore, may 
readily pass through any portion of a line of trellis. 
Warmth is another most important affair, and is 
enjoyed in a higher degree by trellis trees, than by 
ordinary standards; for in the first place, the chief 
volume of their branches is nearer the ground; and in 
the second, the free admission of light necessarily 
brings heat in its train. And when we come to suggest 
the occasional application of copings, another accessory 
to a superior degree of warmth will be shown. 
Protection. —This is one of the most important 
points of all; protection from severe frosts, from cutting 
winds, from hail storms, &c. We stay not here to 
discuss the question of whether a judicious protection is 
beneficial; if we mistake not, this is already settled 
with the majority of our most discerning horticulturists. 
Eor our own part, we would, if hard put to, rather 
suspend the tablecloth over a pet apricot-tree, than 
suffer the delicate pistils to become bound in an icy ; 
casing, produced, perhaps, by some five or ten degrees I 
of frost. In spite, therefore, of the enormous temp- j 
tation offered to some Horticultural Punch, to raise a 
pun at our expense, we avow ourselves “ protectionists” j 
of blossoms. But here another matter presents itself— 
protection from birds, &c., and in addition, retardation. 
Now, it will not be found difficult to kill all these birds 
with one stone, and, indeed, our gardening economics ! 
require that such should be done if possible. 
To recapitulate then :—we desire to see a dwarfing 
system done justice to in our gardens, the necessity 
of root-pruning appreciated, branch-pruning reduced to 
a minimum, and the causes which give birth to such 
myriads of destructive insects removed. Added to this, 
the power to receive the greatest amount of benefit from 
the sun’s rays on the one hand, and on the other to be 
able to ward them off with facility and economy, after 
the object for which they were encouraged is consum¬ 
mated—in other words, to be able to prolong the season 
of most of our fruits. Now, these are objects of import¬ 
ance, not only to our nobility and gentry, but to the 
million also ; for why should not even the cottager 
enjoy his gooseberries, his raspberries, or his currants, a 
month longer, if such can be accomplished ? 
The middle classes of society, however—the villa gar¬ 
dener, and our suburban friends—our acre, and even 
lialf-acre cultivators,—for whom it is to be presumed 
the busy little Cottage Gardener has done much 
already, and who require highly-simplified and a much- 
in-a-small-space kind of plans,—those it is that are most 
nearly interested in an onward march of the kind; for 
their little gardens are to them a source of high delight; 
let us also try to make them profitable. One brief letter 
may not settle this question ; it must be returned to as 
opportunities occur; and before the end of planting 
time, we will endeavour to show forth the details. 
Amongst other arguments for a reform in this branch 
of gardening, the production of superior vegetables, by 
the admission of a free circulation of air, is no trifle; 
added to which, the interest created during the long 
days of summer, by attending to growth-pruning, which 
our readers, especially of the fair sex, may easily accom¬ 
plish during their leisure walks by finger-and-thumb 
work, without having to send every day for those indis- 
criminating gentlemen, the jobbing gardeners. 
R. Errington. 
BEDDING GERANIUMS. 
Of all the different branches of gardening in which I t 
have been engaged, that of improving the races that we i 
use in the decoration of the flower-garden is my peculiar 
hobby, and that which 1 mean to follow out as a hobby 
in my retirement; but I find that I have too many irons 
in the fire for the ensuing season, which will prevent me 
from getting up a little greenhouse in which to carry out 
my experiments. To keep my hands in practice, how¬ 
ever, I shall probably cross a few bedding Geraniums I 
out in the borders, although, at present, 1 have neither 
border, bed, or Geranium, to go on with; but through 
the freemasonry of gardening, an old gardener with¬ 
out money can always find more plants than he re¬ 
quires ; indeed, some of my old friends have invited 
me already to come and draw on their stores on 
these very conditions; and as to borders, although I 
cannot yet boast of “ my men,” 1 have one strong gar- | 
dener at work, and a good worker he is, trenching up 1 
beautiful loamy soil that has not been stirred since Noah 
floated in the ark. My gardener, Mr. Eacott, is a 
thorough florist, having served under Mr. Glenny for 
more than three long years, and was in every show-room 
in London, with thousand# of beautiful plants; so, after 
putting the garden to rights, Charlie will teach me all 
