PART III 



CHAPTER I 



FKUIT CULTURE 



Although as regards the large commoner kinds of fruit, lieavy 

 crops are produced in favourable seasons, yet much of it, through 

 bad cultivation and neglect, is of a very inferior character ; and 

 until the matter is intelligently taken up by all who have 

 gardens, fruit culture will not receive the attention which so 

 important an industry deserves. Old trees are left standing in 

 orchards and gardens long after they cease to be profitable, and 

 youug trees are planted without due preparation being made, or 

 are placed in positions unsuitable for them. All this points to 

 lamentable carelessness or ignorance, or perhaps to a combination 

 of cu'cumstances, probably not the least influential being the 

 unjust law which gives everything placed in the soil to the land- 

 lord. Again, much loss is incurred both in time and money 

 through the planting of unsuitable varieties. Fruit trees have 

 their proclivities, or at any rate they possess difterent degrees of 

 adaptability and hardiness. This explains why some varieties 

 succeed in one place and fixil in others, and much judgment is 

 required to select varieties for different soils and situations. The 

 nurserymen's lists require weeding. There is a profitable trade to 

 be done by any skilled propagator who would select about fifty 

 of the best Apples, and a less number of Pears (Plums there is 

 less difliculty about), and work up a large quantity on suitable 

 stocks. The kinds will require to be selected with judgment, and 

 must be those of a cosmopolitan natm-e, that have been proved to 

 floiu-ish pretty well in all situations. Lists will be given farther 

 on which it is hoped will meet this requirement. 



The Selection of a Site for Fruit Gardens, if one has 



