A dictionary of modern gardening - University Library

W A L 622 W AL
appearance, that there should be prominent
parts at certain intervals, or that
the wliole should be divided into recesses
and projections. The latter, by
being of limited dimensions, would
serve for the display of the more hardy
plant, and also afford additional shelter
to the remaining portions. If, moreover,
the whole be surmounted by an
appropriate coping, its beauty will be
greatly enhanced.
"Much has been said of the conservative
wall at Chatsworth, the leading
characteristics of which are a practical
illustration of the opinions now advanced—large
retiring compartments,
covered with a neat trellis, and relieved
by occasional small stone projections or
piers ; and as the wall stands on a steep
slope, each of the piers is raised considerably
higher than the one below it,
thus constituting as it were a series of
very broad ascending steps on the top.
" The advantage of having a slight
wooden trellis against the wall, instead
of fastening the plants to it in the usual
way, need scarcely be pointed out.
Independently of its superior appearance,
which is a point too frequently
neglected in such matters, the greater
ease with which the branches can be
attached to it, and removed or altered
at any time, is quite sufficient to give it
the preference, while the destruction
and defacement of the wall consequent
on the use of nails, and the injury they
often occasion to the shoots of the
plants, give a value to any system by
which they can be discarded. The
extra expense of the trellis is too trifling
to be regarded.
" It has been found, in attempting to
grow exotics against open walls, that
whatever tends to preserve the border
in which they are planted comparatively
dry, during the winter, does more towards
sheltering them from the frost
than extensive protection of any other
kind.
" As the fluids of plants are, for the
most part, imbibed through the roots,
and as the heat of vegetable bodies
escapes mainly in proportion to the
fluids they contain, protection to the
medium in which they grow is perhaps
even more necessary than to the stems
and branches. It will therefore be seen,
that the portion of the border where the
roots lie must be covered, and that, if
the canvas or other protection actually
given to the wall does not extend over
the border, a coating ofdry litter should
he spread over it, as soon as severe
weather commences, and be retained
on it until the spring.
"The wall is composed of alternate
prominent and retiring compartments.
Each of the former includes two stone
pillars, which stand out a little beyond
all the remainder, and are to be left uncovered
; while, between these, is a
division, over which is extended a trellis
for supporting the hardiest sorts of
climbers and those that demand no protection.
" The recesses are capable of being
covered in cold weather with glazed
sashes, which can be placed out of sight
in a moment, whenever it is safe to remove
them, by sliding them hiphind the
other divisions. In these recesses the
tenderest green-house plants may be
cultivated, and trained against a trellis.
" Thus are combined a handsome
architectural elevation, and the means
of having some of the finest exotic plants
exposed in summer, without danger,
and in a condition incomparably more
healthy and attractive than they ever
attain in the green-house.
" If glazed sashes are too expensive,
canvas, or other screens, can be readily
substituted ; but, in that case, the j)lants
will suffer from being kept in darkness
during the winter. Where it is thought
preferable, another set of rails, on the
outside of those for the sashes, can be
prepared, to carry some kind of covering
in rigorous weather. Where this is
done, the necessity tor fire heat will be
trifling ; in fact it might be entirely dis-
pensed with."
Botany.
—
Paxton^s Magazine of
PLANTS FOR A CONSERVATIVE WALL.
Abutilon striatum ;
Acacia angustifolia,
armata, cultiformis, dealbata, decurrens,
juniperina, lancelota, longissima,
lunata, and mucronata.
Bignonia capreolata, grandiflora, and
tweediana; Billardiera longiflora;
Bossia;a linophylla and scolopendrium
; Brachysema hybridum and
undulatum ; Brugmansia sanguinea
and suaveolens; Budleya Lindleyana.
Camellia Japonica; Ceanothus azureus;
Ceratonia siliqua ; Clematis azurea
grandiflora, and sieboldi ; Correa
bicolor, Harrisii, Lindleyana, and
pulchella.