224 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOQIST. [October, 



and her general laws we must obey ; but though we cannot alter tills natural 

 order of things, much, may be accomplished by skill in moulding them to our 

 purposes. The light soil may be enriched, the strong loam impoverished, and 

 shelter may be procured, but all this can only be done in a very limited way. 



Again, Climate greatly influences the growth of trees, and in some respects 

 its effect is similar to that of the soil. Thus, a damp climate, such as that in 

 the south-west of England, counteracts the effect of a dry soil, assimilating the 

 results to those afforded by a deep rich soil in. a dry climate. In a damp climate 

 trees grow much more luxuriantly, as a rule, than in a dry one ; and as luxuriance 

 of growth is unfavourable to fruit-bearing, our treatment of the trees must again 

 be modified to suit the altered conditions. In the orchards of Devonshire, and 

 other parts with damp climates, there is a remarkable natural check put upon 

 the growth of the trees, which would otherwise be over-luxuriant and unfruitful, 

 namely, the growth of Mosses and Lichens on their trunks and branches, caused, 

 no doubt, by the continued dampness, and the presence of which serves, in nay 

 opinion, as a beneficent check upon over-luxuriance, and induces greater fertility 

 than would otherwise be obtained. Here, then, is Nature repressing vigour more 

 effectually than we can do by the employment of any artificial means. It being, 

 then, impossible to alter soil or climate to any great extent, we must perforce, if 

 the greatest success be desired, cultivate only those trees which are most suitable, 

 and that after the manner most in accordance with their natural tendency. In 

 short, in a locality where trees naturally grow but slowly, dwarf or miniature 

 fruit-tree culture will be the most advantageous ; and where trees naturally 

 grow luxuriantly, they must be allowed to do so, the modern dwarf, closely- 

 pinched fruit trees being, for the most part, unattainable. 



Another important subject is the influence of the Stocks whereon we may graft 

 our fruit trees, and which is in many ways marvellous. It is as yet a subject 

 very imperfectly understood, even by fruit-growers themselves, whom it most 

 intimately concerns. We have not only stocks which impart greater vigour to the 

 plant, and those which check luxuriance and induce greater fertility, precocity, 

 and a tendency to maturation ; but we can also select stocks which enable us to 

 cultivate fruit with an almost equal amount of success on damp clayey soils, as 

 on dry sandy loams. 



By way of illustration, we may refer to the successful results attained by Mr. 

 Eivers, in his magnificent culture at Sawbridgeworth, with myriads of pretty 

 miniature bushes, and pyramidal and cordon trees, all densely laden with fruit ; and 

 we may further be enlightened as to the practice pursued to produce such success, 

 and become in consequence impressed with its desirability, and induced to go and 

 try to do likewise — to have our fruit trees all grown in the same miniature 

 style, &c. They see the results, and seize the idea, but in many cases forget 

 the conditions or other advantages through which these trees have 

 attained their present fruitful state. The natural tendency of tree vegetation 



