74 



THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



situation is not low or wet and the subsoil loose, such as sand or gravel, but not free 

 from water lodging. 



In wet soils and cold situations much may be done towards rendering the soil drier 

 and warmer by raising the border. Unfruitful trees are mostly those in borders not 

 properly drained, and where no attention has been paid to preventing the roots going 

 down too deep ; but if these borders had been raised, well drained, formed of suitable 

 material, and the roots kept near the surface, the trees would have been healthy and 

 fruitful. 



An illustration will serve to explain this, where the soil is heavy, the subsoil reten- 

 tive of moisture, and the situation low and wet, therefore subject to spring frosts. 



Fig. 11 shows borders for pyramid and wall trees. 



Fig. 11. FEUIT BORDERS IN DAMP GBOUND. (Scale: \ inch = 1 foot.) 



References : y, horizontal cordon apple trees ; z, pyramid fruit tree ; a, borders of prepared soil, 2 feet deep ; 

 6, rubble for drainage, 9 inches deep ; c, concrete, 4 inches deep ; d, border drains joined to land drains as shown 

 by the dotted lines ; e, land drains, 4 feet below the ordinary ground level, 15 feet apart ; /, undisturbed soil ; 

 g, width of border necessary for trees for a few years, or sufficient for cordon trees; h, wall, 12 feet above the 

 ground level ; Hi, ordinary ground level, the centre i being the path. 



By this arrangement the borders for trees against the wall and for pyramids and 

 bushes are considerably raised, which adds to the warmth and induces firm, sturdy 

 growths, thereby practically insuring the production of fruit. 



Soil for borders will be treated specially under each fruit, but it may be stated 

 here that most loamy soils will grow fruit trees or can have their textures varied by 

 admixture of other material to render them suitable. Heavy soil, as a rule, should 

 be allotted to plums and pears, medium-textured to peaches and nectarines, and a 

 lighter soil to apricots, cherries, and figs. 



