CHAPTER XVI 

 THE HOME FRUIT-GARDEN 



In Chapter II some of the advantages of the fruit- and 

 vegetable-garden to the owner of a home were briefly men- 

 tioned, and as the aim of this book is to give practical in- 

 formation along all lines of outdoor home ornamentation 

 and comfort, a chapter on fruits will not be out of place, 

 for the fruit-garden may be made to serve also as an impor- 

 tant feature of the home ornamentation. What can be 

 more beautiful than fruit trees when in bloom, or again 

 when laden with highly colored fruit? And they may be 

 trained to as perfect and beautiful forms as many of the 

 trees used only for ornament. 



The shade afforded by a broad-spreading apple-tree is 

 quite as dense and satisfactory- as that from many other 

 species. The fruit that is obtained from the home garden 

 is so much superior to that obtainable in the markets that 

 it is worth a great effort and considerable annoyance to have 

 on one's table an abundance of such choice, fresh, ripe fruit. 



Size of the Fruit-gaxden 



The amount of land to be devoted to the fruit-garden 

 must depend very much upon size of the lot, the number 

 and locality of the buildings, and the amount of other 

 ornamentation attempted. For the supply of a large 

 family \dth a liberal amount of all the fruits in their season 

 will be required a garden of considerable area, though it is 

 surprising what a quantity can be grown on a small area 



349 



