330 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



careful the trees should not become lop-sided through the shoots 

 on one side taking the lead of those on the other. At first we 

 cropped the intervening spaces -with potatoes and other vegetables, 

 as much for the purpose of keeping the ground free from weeds as 

 anything else ; but now the trees cover ao much of the surface that 

 there is no space for vegetable crops. 



Every year since 1870 we have had crops more or less good, for 

 we have endeavoured to protect the blooms from spring frosts by 

 means of coverings of thin canvas, and by hanging branches of fir 

 and evergreens on them, and it is quite surprising how effectual the 

 latter have been. By protecting a portion of the trees of the choicer 

 kinds, we have been able to obtain a really good supply in seasons 

 in which good fruit has been very scarce. The trees, owing to their 

 comparative smallness, can be protected in the manner indicated 

 without much trouble, although the canvas covering must of neces- 

 sity be put on and taken off as occasion may require. The fir branches 

 are put on as the trees come into bloom, and are left until no farther 

 danger from frost is apprehended, as when the trees are in leaf there 

 is not much danger of the frost injuring the young fruit, excepting 

 that towards the extremities of the branches. * 



I believe my orchard to be the most profitable part of my garden. 

 In June we annually commence to gather cherries ; in July, plums, 

 a supply of which is continued until October ; in August, we begin 

 to gather apples and pears, and of these we have a supply until 

 March, and if the season previous has been a fruitful one, we have 

 good samples of the latest kinds in April. Previous to the trees 

 referred to coming into bearing, we depended entirely for our supplies 

 upon a few standards, as hundreds of other owners of small gardens 

 do ; and I need hardly say that the fruit was meagre in quantity, 

 and the quality indifferent, for it is not often that old standards 

 represent first-class varieties. 



The proportions of the several fruits are as follows : — 90 apples, 

 which is, perhaps, the most useful fruit that can be grown in the 

 amateur's garden ; 70 pears, v/hich yield a long and abundant supply 

 of dessert fruit of the finest quality ; 50 plums, which are found of 

 the utmost value for cooking and preserving, as well as for dessert. 

 I have about seventy varieties of the several fruits, and for main- 

 taining a regular supply throughout the seasons in which the 

 respective fruits may be had in perfection. The varieties, with but 

 few exceptions, are the same as those mentioned in the article 

 referred to, and as the selection could not well be improved, I 

 cannot do better than refer those of my readers who are disposed to 

 follow my example, to it. 



A very nice crop may be grown on half the above space — namely, 

 an eighth of an acre for a hundred or fifty trees. Even fifty trees 

 would yield a very acceptable supply, but would not suffice to main- 

 tain a continuous supply for a long period. I understand that apples 

 on the Paradise or pears on the quince do not succeed if the soil is 

 light and rests on gravel or chalk, but on loams and clays they 

 appear to be quite at home. At all events, my soil is a rather deep 

 loam, and the trees are in the most healthy and productive condition. 



