PRELIMINARY HINTS. 39 



protection from frost in early spring whilst in blossom, 

 as well as, when the fruit is ripe, to save it from birds. 



It is unsafe to judge of a tree from one or two years' 

 experience, sometimes, either in regard to its good or 

 bad qualities of flavour or productiveness. 



As a rule, dessert or table fruit, if really choice, pays 

 better than mere cooking sorts, and it is well to grow 

 fruit, especially plums, that will combine both qualities, 

 like the Victoria and Prince of Wales. Both are 

 first-class " croppers," and equally suitable for dessert or 

 preserving. These usually pay to thin out just before 

 they ripen, and sell thus for cooking purposes, when 

 they are highly cultivated. 



As the art of hardy fruit growing is still in its 

 infancy, and is not based much on science, it is worth 

 while making experiments cautiously, and watching the 

 results carefully, where it can be done without risk of 

 outlay or much labour. Strawberries and raspberries, 

 where they grow too luxuriantly, and make leaf and 

 wood too much, will both do better, for instance, in 

 some soils treated as annuals. Both may be safely 

 transplanted about the end of March ; while strawberries 

 will do best, as a rule, with a very firm solid soil, and 

 after being established should never be disturbed, 

 except on the surface, under any circumstances. Of 

 course deep digging and liberal manuring are requisite 

 before planting. 



Liquid manure from cesspools or manure tubs must 

 be made use of as freely as possible, and all spare time 

 in winter will be profitably occupied in supplying this 

 to the roots of fruitful trees of every sort. 



With a view to keep down expenses, and get the best 

 results from the smallest outlays, all local advantages 



