396 
THE COTTAGE* GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, March 29, 1859. 
may be particularly observed in Peaches and Melons; | 
and is, doubtless, the reason why fine-looking fruit, at 
our exhibition tables, frequently do not possess those 
high qualities which their appearance and kind indicate. 
We also know, that, in hot climates, many of our fruits 
become vapid and worthless; but Nature has provided 
special' kinds adapted to the climate. It is here necessary 
to observe, that an over-slow or a retarded ripening is, in 
some cases, prejudicial; and this is, perhaps, most mani¬ 
fest in some of our Pears, which, if kept much beyond 
their natural ripening period, assume the character of 
petrifactions in some cases. 
Excess of root-moisture is to be avoided. Thorough 
drainage out of doors, and a cautious use of the waterpot 
in doors, are the means within our reach to avert this evil. 
Eruit-bcaring plants are apt —like many of the animal 
creation—to prove gluttonous, especially when there is 
a heavy draw on their system; and in the ripening 
process, where very high fiavour is desired, we do not 
want too much of the water:—it is more on the high and 
perfect elaboration and assimilation of the stores of the 
plants that we have to depend. Nevertheless, it may, 
be laid down as an axiom in fruit-ripening, that the 
foliage must be in a perfectly healthy condition when 
the fruit is ripening, or undergoing that change which 
forms a crisis in their history. Thus we find, that if 
Melons—it matters not what kind—have decaying foliage 
when the fruit is turning for ripeness, the flavour is sure 
to be deficient, and the eye-part becomes spongy. It, 
therefore, becomes necessary with all thin-foliaged fruits 
(which, of course, are liable to sudden and profuse per¬ 
spirations), to keep up as much moisture at the root as 
will sustain a healthy foliage. 
Too much air-moisture is, of course, not desirable. 
This, out of doors, can scarcely be avoided; but, in 
forcing processes, it is under control. It produces an 
inactive atmosphere ; and not only impedes, in degree, a 
free transpiration, but also a proper admission of light. 
In fact, the ripening period is no proper time for any 
undue amount of absorption. 
W r c will come now to succulent growth, as, in most 
cases, a foe to intensity of fiavour. The Peach is, at 
once, a good instance. How is it that we seldom obtain 
such large and fine Peaches from young and gross trees 
that we do from those arrived at maturity? Simply 
because the growth, at extreme points, being so exuberant, 
much of the collateral and subordinate wood is robbed 
for the sake of this great impulse. Pinching these 
robbers, therefore, in equalising the sap, causes the in¬ 
ferior portions to receive' a more regular supply. In 
short, the remarks apply to almost every kind of fruit, 
especially to those of rapid or impulsive growths. Thus, 
we know that it is a common practice to stop or pinch 
Pines, Melons, Cucumbers, &c., ail of which are of rapid 
growth. 
Deficiency of light is the next consideration as concerns 
flavour and quality. It is well known that both flavour 
and colour, in fruits or vegetables, can only be obtained 
though the influence of a liberal amount of solar light. 
Now, our variable climate is, we know, very liable to dull 
or dark periods; and the anxious gardener is often 
annoyed by cloudy skies. It surely becomes us, there¬ 
fore, to adopt those cultural means which place the plant 
or tree in such a position as to receive, with facility, 
whatever light occurs. But not only is flavour in fruits 
dependent on a liberal amount of light; their size and 
general character are also particularly concerned in the 
affair. Who has not noticed the inferior character of 
fruits, such as Apples, Pears, and other ordinary fruits, 
in the interior of badly-pruned or neglected trees ? 
A free circulation of air is of the highest importance in 
giving flavour and character to fruits. This, it may be 
said, more immediately concerns those under glass; in¬ 
asmuch as the means taken to secure light out of doors 
will guarantee a free circulation of air. Melons coddled 
for want of air can never be full-flavoured. Indeed, the 
richest I have ever tasted Lave been from frames, or pits, 
which had air liberally all night as well as day : thej 7 
were, consequently, ripened by the slow process. Peaches, 
too, require abundance of air all the time they are ripen¬ 
ing, and they must have time. 
Freedom from insects is indispensable to flavour in 
fruits. Who has known good Grapes, Melons, Peaches, 
&c., produced from trees infested with red spider ? 
I think these together are essentials to the produc¬ 
tion of first-rate fruit; and without a due attention to 
them, such cannot be obtained. But, of course, as the 
foundation-stone, we must have a healthy and well- 
conditioned root and good kinds. That atmospheric influ¬ 
ences, heat, light, air, &c., variously modified and com¬ 
bined, produce varying results in the fruit, can be well 
evidenced on all sides. We gather Marie Louise Pears 
from a generous aspect on a wall; the fruits large, finely- 
skinned, and of a beautiful creamy appearance : we fancy 
we can almost see into them without cutting. We take a 
second lot from a well-handled espalier, or ordinary tree: 
they are but tw r o-thirds the size, and their skin a com¬ 
plete coat of line russet. The first shall be exceedingly 
fine in texture, but the flesh not particularly rich ; the 
latter less fine in texture, but of a much higher flavour. 
This at once points to differing atmospheric conditions, 
the soils being alike. It. Erkin gton. 
FLOWElt GARDENING ON A NEW 
PRINCIPLE. 
Having, at page 369, explained my reasons for disap¬ 
proving of the present fashionable way of cutting up 
plots of ground intended for flower-culture into small, 
fantastically-shaped figures, to be planted, as the case 
may be, in some heterogeneous manner ; and having pro¬ 
mised to explain a different plan, whereby the confusion 
inseparable from the planting of small, narrow, or long- 
pointed shaped beds, with but a very limited space 
between them, may be avoided ; and a result more 
pleasing, because more clear and distinct, will be attained. 
In making this wide departure from the usual course of 
arranging and planting a geometric garden, as sanctioned 
by the highest authorities of the day, I acknowledge 
some little misgivings at making myself properly under¬ 
stood. Perhaps the best way to do this is to explain 
what, in a general way, I am most unwilling to do—that 
is, what has been done here (Linton Park) towards ac¬ 
complishing the object alluded to. 
To make the case more clear, I will briefly describe 
some of the features of this place, beginning with the 
mansion. This is situated about midway up a ridge of 
some considerable elevation ; the south front commanding 
a wide range of view 7 , extending over the greatest part of 
that finely cultivated district called the Weald of Kent. 
A spacious terrace runs along the south side, and east 
and west ends, surrounded by a balustrading ; the south 
side of which rests on a retaining wall, eight feet high. 
The sloping ground to the south of this terrace has been 
cut into a series of slopes and landings, and planted with 
good effect. A broad flight of steps, with landings cor¬ 
responding to the ground features, leads down the centre 
from the upper terrace to the basement below; which, 
until last year, was a plain lawn, but which my worthy 
employer determined to convert into a flower garden. 
After a considerable outlay in excavation and levelling, a 
panel, nearly level, was formed; which, though not 
exactly a parallelogram, may be described as being 180 
feet by 160. This compartment, being the one on which 
the new mode of planting was adoptee^ last year, it is 
needless, perhaps, continuing the description farther; 
excepting to say, that its southern extremity terminated 
in a slope, beyond which the ground receded considerably 
towai’ds the boundary fence, which is a wall, or ha-ha. 
