368 IHK FLORAL WOULD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



give better results when planted in one of a more generous de- 

 scription, than those from a good soil. But nothing could be further 

 from the truth, for these half-starved things never develop into 

 buxom trees capable of producing heavy crops. I could give you 

 the reasons without difficulty, but a simple statement of the fact 

 will no doubt serve all practical purposes. Standards are in some 

 cases admirable in small gardens ; especially are they useful for 

 planting in shrubberies a short distance from the house. They 

 stand l^out boldly from the shrubs, and certainly are as attractive 

 as the majority of deciduous trees at all seasons of the year ; but 

 when in bloom, or loaded with fruit, they will bear a must favour- 

 able comparison with the choicest of our ornameiital deciduous 

 trees. 



To insure the highest degree of success the trees must be 

 planted early, and early planting necessitates an early purchase. 

 I would, therefore, recommend their being bought at once, even if 

 they are not delivered for a fortnight or so. Tne roots must be 

 carefully protected during the journey, and if possible the ground 

 should be ready for their reception. They can then be planted 

 immediately they come to hand, and the risk of their being injured 

 through an undue exposure of the roots to the light and air will be 

 most effectually guarded against. The soil most suitable for fruit 

 trees of all kinds is a deep and rather holding loam, but those who 

 have gravelly or sandy soils to deal with, must do their best to 

 improve them by the addition of loamy soil, if available. Especially 

 should they place a little fresh soil about the roots, when the trees 

 are planted. But as few soils are either so light or so heavy that 

 fruit cannot be successfully produced, it will not often be needful 

 to incur a heavy expense in the preparation of the soil. 



I have no wish to enter into the details of fruit culture at a great 

 length, but I would observe that in small gardens it is preferable to 

 plant the trees by the side of the walks in the kitchen garden, as 

 they then take up very little space, and enjoy full exposure to both 

 light and air. For large pyramids a space of eight or ten feet should 

 be allowed between each tree, but those of smaller size may be 

 planted closer together. 



Excessive pinching is very injurious to the trees, as it checks 

 the natural flow of the sap, and invariably ends in the trees being 

 furnished with weak and ill-ripened wood, from which it will be 

 useless to expect good crops. Continued stopping will, in the 

 course of time, cause the death of the tree, and, therefore, it is a good 

 friend to the nurseryman; but I do not like to obtain my livelihood 

 at the expense of the world's credulity. The strongest shoots will 

 require stopping once, say about the middle of June, and all other 

 pruning should be left until the winter. 



The following varieties are all remarkable for productiveness, 

 and can be recommended to those who are desirous of obtaining 

 heavy crops of fair quality : — 



Apples. — Ashmead's Kernel, White Astrachan, Blenheim Orange, 

 Beauty of Wilts, Keswick Godling, Court Fendu Plat, Ecklinville 

 iSeedling, Yorkshire Greening, Golden Winter JPearmain, Man- 



