CHAPTEE XXIII. 



DAMSONS AND BTJLLAGE. 



TEIERE are no fruit trees that produce a quicker return, 

 and at a smaller risk of outlay, than these. They are 

 almost certain and constant bearers, and have very few 

 enemies or diseases to cope with. They may be planted 

 in hedgerows, on banks, or when grown as bush trees 

 they form, in a few years, very productive hedges and 

 efficient protectors against the winds for ridge cucumbers 

 or the more delicate species of bush fruits. They require 

 but little cultivation, and should be largely planted 

 where the best results are required on spare soil, at the 

 least outlay of labour. As they come at the extreme end 

 of the fruit season, there are few other fruits to compete 

 with them, and now there are such prolific and superior 

 new sorts in cultivation, they afford a specially safe 

 start for the small farmer desirous to try fruit growing. 



The best sort of damson is the Crittenden or Farleigh, 

 which produces very heavy crops in clusters; then 

 Frogmore, Shropshire, Bradley's King, Eivers' Early 

 and Prune or Michaelmas are all good, and the last- 

 named is in great favour in the North of England. 



No one can fail to do well, therefore, with damsons, if 

 these prolific sorts are planted in suitable districts, or 



