308 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



it so, and I have no doubt but that many other opinions coincide 

 with my own. 



As the space for fruit-growing is generally limited, we must 

 make the most of it, and grow trees that we can have full command 

 over, and that will give us the most fruit in the least possible space. 

 Large standard trees, such as we see growing in orchards, are there- 

 fore of little use ; they take up too much room, and if they are 

 inclined to grow away too vigorous, we cannot well do much to 

 them. Pyramidal-shaped trees are decidedly the best, and then a 

 greater variety can be had, and their roots pruned and kept in 

 subjection. I shall not go into every item connected with the 

 management of every individual fruit, for the general treatment 

 differs so little, that it would be taking up valuable space unneces- 

 sarily. 



The most useful fruit to grow are apples, pears, plums, and 

 cherries, and certain varieties succeed well either as espaliers or 

 pyramids. The first-named mode of training the trees is best 

 adapted for planting by the side of walks in the kitchen-garden, 

 where they take up but little space, and at the same time supply the 

 proprietor with a good supply of fruit. Pyramidal trees can be 

 grown either by the side of the walk, or planted in quarters by 

 themselves. Where the ground can be spared, I should recommend 

 a quarter to be planted ; and at the same time, whether I had a 

 fruit-garden or not, I should plant a selection of pyramidal trees by 

 the side of the main walks in the kitchen-garden. Planted at a 

 distance of about six feet apart, they present a beautiful appearance 

 throughout the summer, and give a touch of poetry to that prosy 

 part of the premises. A few of the handsomest-shaped trees may 

 be planted on the lawn, and thus we have beauty and utility com- 

 bined. The greatest difficulty we have in selecting a proper site 

 for the fruit-garden is in finding an open position, as the whole of 

 the garden is so often smothered up with large trees. It is not 

 only the shade from the branches that does mischief, but the roots 

 which support them extend themselves far and wide, and drain 

 almost every particle of nourishment from the soil. "We will, how- 

 ever, suppose that an open position can be found, and what has to 

 be done to fit it for the reception of the trees in a great measure 

 depends upon the nature of the soil that has to be dealt with. Poor, 

 light soil should have a good dressing of rotten manure ; and if a 

 dressing of heavy, holding loam could be aff'orded, a dressing of six 

 inches will be of immense benefit to the trees. A good dressing of 

 heavy clay will also be valuable, if it is well mixed with the natural 

 soil. I have often been able to get the clay which is dug out of the 

 cellars of houses that were being built, for the cost of carting away. 

 It has, as a matter of course, to be brought from some little dis- 

 tance, for it will not be wanted in neighbourhoods where the sub- 

 soil consists of clay. Where clay is used, it ought, if possible, to 

 be spread over the surface the whole of the winter months, to get it 

 well pulverized. Where the soil is heavy and cold, a good dressing 

 of road scrapings and decayed and charred vegetable refuse will be 

 of the most service. Some soils are naturally rich enough for fruit- 



