3I4 THE FRUIT GROWERS GUIDE. 



to diminish the supply of inferior and increase that of superior fruit ; and when it is 

 stated as a fact, demonstrated by science and proved by experience, that the latter can 

 be produced at less cost than the former, it follows that really good apples, tempting in 

 appearance, fleshy, and juicy, can be grown and sold at prices now paid for third-rate 

 produce without any loss whatever to the cultivator, but, on the contrary, a distinct gain, 

 for the demand would increase enormously and small profits arising from large sales give 

 the best returns to producers of popular commodities. The apple supply will have to be 

 improved and cheapened, and it depends on British cultivators whether this is done by 

 themselves or by others equally skilful and more enterprising in distant lands. "We have 

 the best of soil and varieties and the object in view can be accomplished at home, but 

 only in one way, and that is by making the best use of both. 



It does not follow that the chief endeavour of all growers of apples in this country 

 will be the making of money by them. The enormously greater number of garden 

 owners must grow the fruit for home use, not for sale. The limited space which they 

 can devote to the culture precludes their competing in markets in the selling of fruit, but 

 too many now have to compete as buyers, who might relieve themselves of the necessity 

 by planting trees adapted for their positions and requirements. These vary considerably. 

 Most persons who have gardens, and cherish them, strive to render them interesting 

 as well as useful. They find charm in variety, and this charm is quite as great in 

 fruits as in flowers. A hundred apple trees grown for the sale of the fruit alone might 

 be profitably limited to a dozen varieties, but if the chief object were a steady and pro- 

 longed home supply, and a testing by comparison of approved sorts, not less than ten 

 times the number indicated would probably give satisfaction. Fruit growing is 

 fascinating, and those who engage in it as a pleasurable occupation do not long remain 

 content with a little knowledge on a few varieties, but desire to add new and approved 

 sorts to their collections, also to become practically acquainted with different methods 

 of culture and forms of trees. 



The need, therefore, of an early, successional, and late supply of apples, for dessert 

 and culinary purposes, imposes an absolute imperative duty on the cultivator to meet 

 it fully and to the satisfaction of all classes. To effect this the procedure must be in 

 accord with the object. If a supply is required of the choicest varieties in the highest 

 degree of excellence the means employed must be adequate, supplemented by cultural 

 skill. Superior means alone do not suffice, but, other conditions being favourable, it 

 follows that fruit grown on dwarf trees in sheltered situations and fertile soil in gardens 



