JlM-ch 23, 1873. ] 



JOURNAL OF HOETKJULTUEE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



273 



wrong place, and it is desiied tbat they should occupy a more 

 conspicuous or favourable position, but owing to the risk in- 

 volved in their removal they are allowed to remain where they 

 are ; by treating them as I have mentioned in referring to 

 large trees not previously hfted, the desired lesult may be 

 obtained. 



After all I have said, and however much my method differs 

 from Mr. Rivers's in its application or its object, I must again 

 observe that I am enthely indebted to him for it ; but for my 

 attempt to apply his method to rather large trees my own sug- 

 gestions would never have occurred to me. I am a market 

 gardener, very fond of fruit-growing, and of course desu-e 

 to make it pay. I find that my attention to lifting as I have 

 described answers admh'ably both in respect to the quantity 

 and quality of the produce, for lifting causes a check to growth 

 which promotes the formation of flower-buds, and by keeping 

 the roots near the surface not onlv encourages this, but causes 



the production of fruit much better in flavour and appearance. 

 Both the quantity and quality of the fruit are improved by 

 careful attention to thinning it when young. I fifteu cut out 

 two-thirds, and sometimes aveiy much larger proportion when 

 fully formed or set. 



I will next give the proportionate surface per acre of trees at 

 various (Ustances. If we first take trees in rows 6 feet apart 

 by 4 feet from each other in the rows, there will be about 

 1768 trees to the acre, and estimating each tree to be 6 feet 

 high, and to have a surface of 36 feet (as at this height the 

 trees may touch at the base), there will be a surface of 

 61,248 feet to the acre. With rows 9 feet apart, and the trees 

 6 feet from each other in the rows, we have 752 trees to the 

 acre; these at 12 feet high and 1 foot apart at the base (which 

 will give only .5 feet in diameter instead of 6 feet) will each have 

 a surface of 90 feet, or 67,680 feet to the acre; at 10 feet by 

 8 feet, .586 trees to the acre, which at 15 feet high and 1 foot 





apart at the base will give a surface of 147 feet to each tree, 

 or 86,142 feet to the acre. I am not in a position to be able to 

 give'the proportionate quantity of fruit per acre, but may we 

 not infer that as the surface is so much gi-eater, so the quantity 

 of fruit will be greater too ? I must not omit to mention that 

 manure or compost can be applied witli the greatest ease when 

 the trees are out of the gi'ound. 



There are a few other matters, which, although foreign to 

 the subject of fruit-tree lifting, may not be altogether out of 

 place. One of these is, gathering fruit of the same varieties, 

 particularly Pears, at two, three, or more times, a week or so 

 apart. Tliis may apply to Pears of all seasons— summer, 

 autumn , or winter. It is my impression that many of our choice 

 Pears are not tasted in their best condition, owing to this 

 practice not being adopted. I know by experience that it is 

 not only possible to let summer, but autumn Pears remain too 

 long on the trees. The exact time at which a Pear is at its 

 best — that is, most suitable for table, cannot always be ascer- 

 tamed from its look, or feel, except by very practised persons. 

 Many a really good Pear is often condemned owing to the want 

 of frequent trials. 



In storing I differ from many ; my plan was adopted more 

 from necessity than from any other cause. A person who 

 gi'ows a large quantity of fniit, and retails much of it, is often 

 at a loss how to make the most of his store rooms. I store 

 upon what I call stages, made of four upright posts supporting 



a number of trays ; each of my stages contains six trays. 

 These are about 9 feet 4 inches long, by 2 feet 4 inches wide 

 inside measure, they are bottomed with galvanised iron net over 

 which is spread a very thin coat of straw, covered with paper, 

 and upon the latter the fruit is laid. In this way there is a 

 perfectly elastic bottom which prevents the fruit being marked 

 by pressure on the bottom, and in turning the fruit to sort 

 them, if any roll down, the bottom being soft they are not 

 bruised. Each stage will hold, in proportion to the extent yoti 

 pUe up, from thirty-six to fifty bushels of fruit. Another 

 advantage is that the fruit keeps much firmer owing to the 

 bulk. For a stage the size of mine the room must be a little 

 over 8 feet high, but in a large room there may be several stages. 

 If I erect some new rooms I intend having one especially for 

 Apples and Pears, and long enough to contain twenty stages. 

 Such a room will require to be about 56 feet long by 20 feet 

 wide, but with 15 inches more in height, there maybe room for 

 another tray on each stage. 



■Whatever attention these after-.suggestions may have from 

 the reader, I am persuaded he will not regret a trial of tree 

 Ufting.— Geoege Lee, F.E.H.S., .1/nr/a'/ Gnrilnur. Cln-edon, 

 Somerset, 



Gakrta elliptica.— I have known one for more than a 

 quarter of a century in our squire's garden only protected by 

 the shrubs around and trees above it ; and in mild winters it 



