98 



JOURNAL OF HORTIOULTDBE AND OOTTAQE GARDENER. 



[ AagTUt 5, 1809. 



the former caso the trees are alloived to rotaia mach more of their 

 natural character; they are pruned almost eDtirely for fmit, form or 

 appearance being in a great measure ignored. Id the latter, while 

 fruit-bearing ia one main object, yot with this is combined the forma- 

 tion or retention of some particular form. Which of the two, then, is 

 the more productive or profitable ■' which of the two is the more to be 

 rocommendcd ? Or 13 it possible to apply the treatment as regards 

 pruning that is necessary for the one to the caae of the other, or to 

 produce the same results on each snbject alike in diCferout soils, 

 aituations, itc.. without having rej^ard to the altered circumstances in 

 which they are placed? It may be possible, but it is scarcely 

 practicable to do so, and in many cases the attempt will result in an 

 entire failure ; the trees, as already stated, may be formed, yet the 

 fruit for which they are grown will be wanting. Those remarks apply 

 more especially, yet not exclusively, to formally trained trees. 



If we take a glance at the natural tree vegetation of the country, we 

 shall find that in one locality the trees are of a dwarf stunted charac- 

 ter, and perhaps very fertile ; while in another they are rampant and 

 vigorous. In the one case we have probably poor sandy soil and an 

 exposed situation, and in the other deep alluvial loam and compara- 

 tive shelter. Good fruit may be produced in each situation, yet 

 under very different conditions. Here, then, is Nature teaching us, 

 and her general laws we must obey ; for though we cannot alter this 

 natural order of things, much may he accomplished by skill in mould- 

 ing the one to a similarity of the other. The light soil may be en- 

 riched, the strong loam impoverished, shelter may ho procured, &c. ; 

 but these can only bo done in a very limited way. Unless, however, 

 something of the sort be done, the growth of the trees in the two in- 

 stances will he very different ; and in order to induce an equal amount 

 of fruitfulness, the treatment of the trees as regards pruning will re- 

 quire to be very different also. 



Since viewing the extensive experiments on agricultural produce of 

 Mr. Lawes and Dr. Gilbert, at Rothamsted, with different manures, 

 and the wonderful influences effected by these manures on different 

 plants as regards their tendency to induce a disposition to run to seed. 

 and to favour early maturation, it has occurred to mo that perhaps 

 something in tliis way might be accomplished with fruit trees by the 

 application of some special manures, which, as in the case of the 

 mixed mineral manures on grasses, would privo a tendency more 

 towards fruit -production than to leaf-growth. There maybe a manure 

 for fruit trees, which is capable of utilising the existing and necessary 

 portions of the soil, and concentrating all the energies of the plant 

 towards the production of fruit ; and if so, how valuable it would be ! 

 Again, climate greatly intluences 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 

 effects of a dry soil, assimilating the results to those afforded by a 

 deep rich soil iu a dry climate. In a damp climate trees grow much 

 moie luxuriautly 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 remark- 

 ably natural check pat upon the growth of the trees, which would 

 otherwise be over-luxuriant and uufruitfol — namely, the growth of 

 Mosses and Lichens on their trunks and branches, caused, no doubt, 

 by the continued dampness. The presence of these epiphytes serves, 

 however, in my opinion, as a beneficent check npon over-luxuriance, 

 and thereby induces greater fertility than would otherwise be obtained. 

 Here, then, is Nature repressing vigour more effectuallj than we can 

 do by the employment of any artificial means. It being, then, as yet 

 impossible to alter soils or climate to any great extent, we must per- 

 force, 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 ehort, in a locality where trees 

 naturally grow but slowly, dwarf or miniature fruit-tree culture will be 

 the most advantageous ; and whore trees naturally grow luxuriantly 

 they must be allowed to do so, the modem dwarf, closely-pinched fruit 

 trees being for the most part unattainable. 



There is, however, yet left for consideration the important subject 

 of the stocks whereon we may graft our fruit trees. The influence of 

 the stock is in many ways marvellous. It is as yet a snbject but very 

 imperfectly understood, especially by fruit-growers themselves, whom 

 it concerns most intimately. It might be given as a proverb, " Accord- 

 ing as the stock in so will be the result." Wo have not only stocks 

 which impart great vigour to the plant, and the reverse — those which 

 check luxuriance and induce greater fertility, precocity, and a tendency 

 to maturation — but we can also select stocks which enable us to cul- 

 tivate fruits with an almost equal amount of success on damp clayey 

 soils, as on dry sandy loams. It is also worthy of experiment on a 

 somewhat extended scale, to find out whether it is not possible to cul- 

 tivate fruits successfully in otherwiae uncongenial districts by pfrafting 

 and using plants indigenous to the district, as stocks, such as the Pear 

 on the Mountain Ash, and on the different species of Thorns, which 

 are in general common enough. That would be ntilising the natural 

 vegetation of the country. 



It may be well here to notice briefly some of the principal stocks used 

 for our fruit trees, and to state the conditions nndcr which, as well as 

 the purpose for which, they can be moat adTantagcously employed. 



Apjilra. — 1. There is the Crab or free stock, most suitable for large 

 standard trees, and totally unfit for dwarf ones. 2. The French 



Paradise, which is eminently qualified for prodacing dwarf fortUd 

 trees, and which succeeds beat on damp, clayey aoila, its roots feeding 

 near the surface. H. English Paradise, a moderately vigorous -growing 

 stock. 4. The Nonsuch English Paradise of Mr. Rivers, which Ib 

 similar in its effect to that of the French Paradine, producing vigoroDS 

 but fruitful little trees. It however succeeds well on dry soils, which 

 the French Paradise does not. 



Pears. — I. The Pear, or freo stock, which, like the Crab, is again 

 only suited for large trees, excepting in dry soils, in which case, on 

 account of the roots strikicg deeply for sastcnance, it is the most to 

 be reromraonded. 2. The Quince, which is admirably suited for cul- 

 tivation in damp soils, through its roots feeding near the surface, is 

 entirely nnsuited for forming very large trees on dry soils. Its great 

 recommendation is in its dwarfing tendency and its exceeding fertilitj. 

 Pears may be grafted on many other stocks, each as all the species of 

 Cratirgus, Mountain Ash, Cotoneaster, (fee. 



PJum.'i. — These are not much influenced by the stock, excepting it be 

 the Damas Noir, which tends to earlier fertility. 



Cherries. — 1. We have the wild Cherry, which is adapted for largo 

 trees. 2. The Mahaleb, the most suitable for dwarf-fruiting plants. 

 Plums may also be grafted on Cherries, and vice rer.^ti. Beyond the 

 fact of its accomplishment, however, I can state nothing, ad the olti- 

 mate results are not known. 



By way of illustration, we may admire the successful results attained 

 by Mr. Rivers, in his magnificent culture at Sawbridgeworth, with 

 myriads of pretty miniature bushes, pyramidal and cordon trees, aU 

 densely laden with fruit ; and we may farther be enlightened as to the 

 practice pursued to produce such success, and become in conseqaenco 

 impressed with its desirability, and induced to go and try to do likeviao 

 — to have our frnit trees all grown in the same miniature style, &c. 

 We see the results, and seize the idea, but most likely forget the 

 conditions, or the natural or other advantages enjoyed by them, through 

 which they have so easily attained their present fruitful state. The 

 natural tendency of tree vegetation in the soils of Sawbridgeworth ia 

 towards early fruiting. There is, indeed, considerable variation of soil 

 even in these nurseries — from strong Wheat land to lightish sand ; yet 

 throughout nearly the whole extent there is a great deal of calcareons 

 matter, which it will be found, wherever present, is the most favourable 

 of all for fruit culture. It is greatly to the predominance of this chal^ 

 matter in the soil, though partly to its exposed situation, and also to 

 the nse of suitable stocks which give a dwarfing tendency, yet, most of 

 i all, to Mr. Rivera' skill in taking advantage of all this, that we are to 

 attribute his immense success in the culture of miniature fruit trees. 

 To illustrate still further, go to the neighbourhood of Paris, where ia 

 fmit culture results are attained nearly similar to those of Mr. lUvers. 

 Fruits and frnit trees, it is well known, succeed there admirably, and 

 the soil is very similar to that so general at Sawbridgeworth. Around 

 Paris the climate influences and benefits the condition of the trees and 

 fruits to a considerable extent, yet otherwise the results are as nearly 

 as possible the same. 



Trees in the two instances grow but slowly, yet sturdily, and make 

 no rampant watery unfruitful f-hoots : these are, on the contrarj\ sturdy, 

 short-jointed, and well-supplitd with fmit buds. Indeed, thedifl^colty 

 of their having too much of a fruiting tendency occurs at times, the 

 trees being thereby soon exhausted, and the fruit rendered worthless. 

 It is desirable at all times that fruiting trees should produce a certain 

 quantity of young shoots, as on the influence of the leaves so produced 

 and on the action thereby infused into the plant, depends chiefly the 

 quality of the fruit. Hence to induce short formation, although there 

 may be little to prune, yet the pmning-knife may be used to great 

 advantage, and the shoots cut closer back. In fact, the trees may be 

 kept in smaller compass than that which would be prudent to adopt 

 in the case of trees growing very vigorously. The cultivation of 

 miniature fruit trees, trees planted at 4 feet apart, in such soils and 

 conditions, is highly commendable. It would, indeed, prove the most 

 profitable ; as although they might be allowed to attain considerable 

 size, it would be many years, owing to their slow rate of growth, ere the 

 ground could be otherwise fully occupied, or turned to the best account 

 for fmit culture. 



To reverse the picture, however, let ua visit the rich valley of the 

 Thames, with its deep alluvial loam, and look at the fruit culture in 

 some of the market gardens — for example, that of Mr. Dancer, at 

 Chiswick. Here there is also fruit in abundance, and of the very finest 

 quality. Here, however, the trees instead of being dwarf and fruitful, 

 are large, rampant, and vigorous ; and although while in a young state 

 they produce but little fruit, still as they attain age, if not over-pruned, 

 frnit is produced in immense quantities. 



In the one case, winter pruning — close pruning, is necessary to induce 

 greater vigour, and prevent overfertility and weakness — (j'. ''., assuming 

 the stocks. X'c, used in each locality to be the same) ; and in the other, 

 the object of the pniner ia to reduce luxuriance, and this is best effected 

 by non-pruning, or at most, by the thinning-out of the shoots and 

 branches where crowded, so as to expose the remaining ones more freely 

 to the influence of light, leaving the strong -growing young shoots at 

 almost their entire length, which the next season produce a lesa 

 vigorous growth, and as a consequence become more fertile, on account 

 of the forces of the plant not being concentrated on a few buds, but 

 being required to spend itself over many. In fthort, in the one case 

 miniature fruit-tree growing is advantageous and practicable, simply 

 because the trees are not inclined naturally to grow larger, and in the 



