THE FRUIT GARDEN. 215 



portant facts have been gathered, and it, becomes every 

 planter to avail himself of them. If he plants pears on 

 quince stocks, for instance, it is important to know that 

 certain varieties are much better on that stock than they 

 are on the pear, and that others fail and are worthless on it. 

 The varieties should be adapted to the wants and wishes 

 of the planter. Those who plant fruit gardens have not 

 all the same objects in view. One man plants his garden 

 simply to supply his family with good fruits. This is 

 his main purpose. He should, therefore, select the very 

 best varieties, considering not the quality alone, but their 

 productiveness and other useful properties. Such a per- 

 son has no desire for a large collection, but looks merely 

 for an assortment that will yield a succession of ripe fruits 

 during the season. Another, who regards the mere value 

 of the fruit less than amusement, recreation, and experi- 

 ment, will make his . collection as varied as possible. 

 Where any particular class of fruits can be had very 

 cheap in market, it should be planted sparingly in the 

 garden, so that such as may be scarce or dear can be 

 grown in larger quantities. It is only by taking all these 

 into account that planters can hope to make their fruit 

 garden answer their particular views and purposes. 



The planting of a fruit garden should be considered as 

 of equal importance with the building of a dwelling, so 

 far as the doing of it well is concerned. The dwelling is 

 constructed with a view to the convenience of the family, 

 and is, therefore, in all its parts, supposed to be adapted 

 to their wants and mode of living. The fruit garden is 

 intended, also, to promote the comfort and convenience 

 of the family, and should be, like the dwelling, in all 

 respects as nearly as possible adapted to their wants and 

 circumstances. Having now treated of the soil, inclos- 

 ures, trellises, walks, arrangement, selection of trees and 

 varieties, we proceed to the taking up of the trees and 

 planting. 



