A NEW OUTLOOK 



Pot Fruit Trees. — The present is a good time to repot 

 all kinds of fruit trees that are grown in large pots. What is 

 termed " orchard-house culture " — that is, growing trees 

 in pots and standing them in a large, cool, airy house, 

 when the buds begin to expand — is well worth the 

 attention of those who can afford to practise it. The 

 house is not wanted for the trees the whole of the year 

 — only for a few weeks, as a matter 

 of fact. At other periods. Tomatoes, 

 Chrysanthemums, and other import- 

 ant crops can be grown in it. The 

 system is somewhat more expensive 

 than growing fruit in the open air, 

 as, in addition to the house, a part 

 of the cost of which would have to 

 be charged to the fruit, large pots 

 have to be provided. Ten- and twelve- 

 inch are suitable. Trees could be 

 bought now, and the pots plunged in 

 ashes in a sheltered place for the 

 winter, or in spring. In repotting 

 existing trees, the lower part of the 

 ball of soil and roots, the sides, and 

 the top can all be reduced to the 

 extent of a couple of inches with- 

 out fear of injury, even if some 

 roots are destroyed in the process. The pots should be 

 cleaned, re-drained, and fresh loamy soil packed well 

 in round the old ball. The trees will be all right in the 

 open during the winter, but if they comprise some 

 Peaches and Nectarines, these should have the most 

 shelter, as they are more likely to be injured by hard 

 frost than Apples, Pears, Cherries, and Plums. 



Strawberry Beds, — Beds of Strawberries would last in 



Oct. 

 16-31 



Fig. 87.— Repotting 

 Fkuit Trees. 



a. Space left for future 

 top-dressing 



b. Good drainage. 



c. New compost. 



