VARIOUS FRUITS 14? 



" bletting." Of the few varieties in general cultivation, The 

 Dutch or Monstrous is to be recommended. 



Nut, Cob, and Filbert. These fruits are commonly grown 

 in the form of bushes, having a clear stem of 15 or 18 inches ; 

 they thrive best in loamy soil, but even on light ground may be 

 depended upon to give a good return. It is usual to restrict 

 the number of branches to from eight to twelve, keeping them 

 thinly disposed ; in pruning during the early years of growth, 

 when the branches are developing, always cut to a bud point- 

 ing away from the centre so that the bushes will be cup-shaped. 

 The Nut fruits freely on spurs, on which the small crimson 

 female flowers are produced ; the catkins, which appear earlier, 

 must not be cut off, otherwise the female flowers may fail to 

 " set " fruit. Winter pruning must be carried out as directed 

 for the Apple and Pear. Suckers often appear freely, but should 

 not be allowed to grow. The grower must take care to cut out 

 old shoots whenever they can be replaced by young ones, and 

 to keep the branches well apart from each other. The dis- 

 tinction between Cob-nut and Filbert is that in the former the 

 fruit has a short husk, while in the latter the husk is longer 

 than the fruit. The Kentish is one of the best Filberts, and 

 of Cob-nuts Kentish Cob is to be recommended. 



Quince. If only for appearance sake, and the beauty of 

 its blossoms and fruit, every garden might well possess a Quince 

 tree. It is never happier than when planted by the side of 

 a stream, for it needs a moist place ; it is not likely to be a 

 success on light land and in a dry position. While the tree is 

 developing the branches must be kept well apart, then in future 

 years little attention to pruning will be necessary, though the 

 vigorous side shoots must be pruned. 



Prnit Trees in Pots. The cultivation of fruit trees in 

 pots is full of interest, and not without profit to the grower, 

 providing the work is well done. The best time to start is in 

 October, and suitable kinds of fruit to grow are Apple, Pear, 

 Cherry, Plum, Peach, and Nectarine. A light and airy green- 

 house is required if the trees are grown to supply crops of fruit 

 in advance of those out of doors. The work of potting the 

 fruit trees is of first importance ; pots 10 or 12 inches wide 

 are large enough at first, but as the trees increase in size still 

 larger ones may be required. The pots having been cleaned, a few 

 crocks are placed over the hole at the bottom to ensure per- 



