456 THE GARDENER. [Oct. 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 



HARDY FRUITS. 



The gathering and storing of fruits is often attended with much 

 anxiety, it being of great moment to have them dry and free from 

 injury when taken under cover. Very late kinds should not be 

 gathered too soon ; shrivelling would then take place. When the 

 seeds begin to assume a black colour, it is a sign the trees have done 

 their work for the fruit. This applies to Apples and Pears. They 

 also break off freely from the trees. They ought to be handled 

 carefully, and laid out on shelves, clean and dry, and plenty of air 

 admitted to the structure till " sweating " is over ; then a close dark 

 atmosphere suits them well. In large old barns they may be seen 

 stored in this district as one would Potatoes ; and they evidently 

 keep well in such quarters. To keep frost from them it is well to 

 throw dry straw over the stores ; but there is not much fear of their 

 requiring such protection during October. Now is a good time to 

 prepare for planting fruit-trees. It is well to consider what purpose 

 the trees are ultimately to serve. Orchard-trees under which sheep 

 and cattle are to graze should be on high stems, and the bark pro- 

 tected. Some rub them with a mixture of lime and tar ; but though 

 recognising the use of lime by itself as a wash to cleanse trees, we 

 would prefer three or four stakes placed round the stems, lashed 

 together at the top by a piece of wire. Bush and pyramid trees are 

 most suitable for gardens and private orchards ; and, preparing for all 

 and sundry, we would trench the ground all over, and place brick- 

 rubbish below each tree. Firm planting, secure staking, and careful 

 mulching, are matters of no small importance to begin with. Strong 

 loam, well drained, on a slope to the south, is the most favourable 

 condition for the trees that we know of. A quantity of free healthy 

 loam placed with the roots of each tree as the work of planting goes 

 on, gives a favourable start to the trees. Transplanting, lifting, or 

 root-pruning should be done as early as possible before the cold weather 

 sets in. The same remarks apply to bush fruits of all kinds. They 

 mostly require manure in liberal quantities, especially good mulch- 

 ing. A stock of Currants (black, red, and white) should be grown 

 in the shade of a wall or hedge, to give late supplies. 



Apricots, Peaches, and Plums should be well kept up above surfaces where 

 they are flat ; these all do well with careful lifting (replanting the roots out 

 flatly). When they are again placed in the soil the fibres should be retained 

 with the greatest care, cutting off" clean any injured roots, or any which are 

 long and naked. In flat orchards channels should he made to take off" the 

 surface-water as quickly as possible. Though orchards are to be met with in 

 fruit-growing districts in every position, aspect, and elevation, and growing 

 as if to shut out the horizon, it is worth the trouble to give them a fair amount 

 of attention as to thinning their centres, proper aspects, keeping the bark free 

 from moss, and preventing them from growing the one into the other, as is too 



