FRUIT IMPROVEMENT 81 



the compact, low-growing habit that is to be 

 desired in a fruit tree. 



What is true of the apple is equally true of its 

 cousin the pear. This tree also has been per- 

 mitted in the old-time orchards to develop the 

 pernicious habit of too slender upright growth 

 and undesirable tallness, too much like a wild- 

 ling. These defects have been corrected with 

 some of the newer varieties, to be sure, but these 

 have not been introduced universally. 



The same criticism applies to the cherry. 

 Everyone knows how often this tree is seen 

 growing in the Xew England dooryard, with 

 trunk like that of the sturdiest oak, and with 

 its inviting clusters of red fruit suspended at 

 such a height as to be quite beyond reach of 

 everyone but the birds. 



A well -trained cherry should renounce this 

 tantalizing habit and make its wares reasonably 

 accessible to the wingless biped that has fos- 

 tered it. 



The other notable members of the company 

 of orchard trees, namely the plum, peach, quince, 

 and orange, have in the main developed a more 

 commendable habit of growth. Their trees are 

 for the most part not too large, and the best 

 varieties have a spreading form that leaves little 

 to be desired. But some of these, and in particu- 



