THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 367 



mentioned. Of this there can be no doubt, for it renders it possible 

 to have a continuous supply from the earliest moment it is obtainable, 

 until quite the end of the season, which, in the case of apples and 

 pears, continues until far into the following year. I am not going, 

 notwithstanding this, to recommend the planting indiscriminately 

 of large collections. Where there is an abundance of space at 

 disposal they are to be desired, for, to people who take an interest 

 in the production of their gardens, there is mucii pleasure in taking 

 note of the season of tbe respective sorts attaining maturity, and in 

 making comparisons of the merits of such as are ripe at the same 

 moment. But in the case of those who can afford very little space 

 for fruit-trees, it is in every way desirable to plant a few sorts only, 

 and these in every case to be heavy croppers, even if they are 

 second-rate in flavour. Those who are able to plant fruit trees by 

 the hundred can aftbrd to be fastidious, but those who have to 

 content themselves with a few dozen, will, if they act wisely, 

 consider first of all whether the trees are heavy and certain croppers, 

 as well as being of fine quality. Let us, for example, consider the 

 case of those readers who have only room for half-a-dozen trees or 

 so. To them it will be of more importance to plant trees that will 

 produce a plentiful supply of fruic of fair quality every year, than 

 it will be to have a moderate crop of fruit of the highest degree of 

 excellence every second or third year. Or, to speak more plainly, 

 it will be better to harvest a heavy crop of Victoria plums annually, 

 than a crop of Jeffersons occasionally. This is my opinion upon 

 this point, and I feel assured those who have given the matter 

 proper attention, will readily endorse it. 



I would also advise the planting of trees that will, in the 

 ordinary course of things, produce fruit worth the gathering, as 

 distinguished from the miserable little toys which have been so 

 strongly recommended by interested writers. If it is desired to 

 have a large number of trees in a limited space, small bushes or 

 pyramids must be planted, but where plenty of fruit is aimed at, 

 the trees must be large enough to produce a crop. They need not 

 be tall standards, which when full grown will be big enough to 

 smother everything else in the garden, but pyramids or bushes with 

 sufficient vigour iu them to attain a height ranging from six to ten 

 feet, and a diameter at the base of from five to eight feet. From 

 these trees the cultivator may reasonably expect to fill the fruit- 

 room each season. Therefore, begin with healthy trees averaging 

 four feet in height, and well furnisbed with medium-sized and well- 

 ripened shoots. Trees of this description will soon push out roots 

 into the new soil, and if they are set with bloom buds will bear a 

 crop the next year ; and most trees of the size here mentioned will, 

 if they have been transplanted annually in the nursery, be mostly 

 set with bloom. 



In selecting trees, all that have a hide-bound appearance must be 

 avoided, for it is an indication of their having been partly starved. 

 It is supposed by many inexperienced persons, and asserted by 

 those who know better, but are unable to produce trees full of health 

 and vigour, that trees which have been grown in a starving soil 



December. 



