1879.] HARDY FRUITS. 221 



the shoots growing straight from the tree, and stopping those which 

 are taking too much of the lead. Apricots are very impatient of the 

 knife, and should have little pruning left to be performed during winter. 

 This and a thoroughly firm soil composed largely of lime are 

 two items very conducive to keeping Apricot trees in health ; late ripen- 

 ing of wood and much winter cutting are evils which strongly lead to 

 canker taking place with these trees. Cherries are best treated on the 

 spur system ; they can be trained into any form, but, like Apricots, 

 they must have the greater part of the necessary pruning done during 

 the growing season. Morello Cherries are t best when much left to 

 themselves, kept carefully from crowding, and the knife used only as 

 a necessary evil. Peaches and Nectarines must be disbudded with 

 much caution, as the present crop as well as the future health of the 

 tree may be much impaired by wholesale stripping. The trees and 

 crop are by no means safe from severe weather — sharp weather may 

 yet be expected — the foliage is nature's covering, and it is quite 

 necessary that it should not be unduly removed. First remove 

 any out-growing shoots clean from the trees, looking carefully for 

 any leaders which may be robbing the tree \ stop them before they 

 grow much — this will speedily equalise the growth, without checking 

 the trees ; choose the shoots which are to form the bearing wood of 

 next year ; they should be from the base of the old shoots, and closely 

 laid in. When they are tied straight and neatly now they are more 

 easily managed at the winter pruning. A little done often to the trees 

 is conducive to success, and one who is experienced in the work can go 

 over a great space in one day. 



Figs now being uncovered and tied to their places will show what 

 fruit they are likely to produce. The greatest evil we see with respect 

 to these in three-fourths of cases is the persistence in crowding them to 

 the walls ; some may be seen plaited and twisted like hedges. Where 

 such is in practice it is no wonder that thin crops on the ends of some 

 shoots which have been liberated are the only fruit seen in five seasons 

 out of six. Whether Figs are spurred, or an annual replacing of wood is 

 the system on which they are grown, signifies little, but it is certain that 

 in either case they will not succeed when crowded on the walls. A neigh- 

 bour who grows immense quantities in orchard-houses prunes annually 

 as he does his Black Currants, leaving the trees open in centres, and 

 otherwise well thinned. The quantity of Figs which this cultivator 

 gets annually on walls is enormous ; and it is there, especially under 

 glass, that the finest Figs in the country are had. We prefer the 

 practice between spurs and young wood annually laid in and 

 cut out, but indeed these shoots are so short and stiff that they are 

 little else than spurs, and always bear abundantly. All should be 

 kept close to the wall, neat and orderly, and when at any time the trees 

 take to growing excessively, careful examination of the roots will show 

 that some are going down into colder soil. These may be removed and 



