THE ORCHARD BEAUTIFUL. 381 



In view of the confusion brought about by fat catalogues, new 

 varieties of doubtful value, the number of early kinds worthless for 

 winter and spring use, and the planting of untried kinds, a good rule 

 would be to put any kind we propose to plant under separate study 

 as to its merits in all ways, and only plant one kind a year. The 

 kind chosen for orchard culture should be of undoubted merit and 

 distinction, and of high quality when cooked, without which apples to 

 keep are worthless, so many which quickly fall into a mawkish state 

 being without table or market value if there be any crisp-fleshed 

 apples to be had. In fixing but one kind a year, the first consideration 

 should be its quality, and the second its constancy in bearing, as to 

 which there is a great difference in apples. Perfect hardiness and 

 vigour are essential, and the judgment as regards orchard planting 

 should never be based on the produce of bush trees or trees grafted 

 on the paradise or other stocks which limit the natural growth of 

 the tree. 



Apples known for many years, such as the Blenheim, Kentish 

 Filbasket, Wellington, French Crab, Keswick and Alfriston should 

 never be left out of our consideration n this respect, as, however they 

 may be affected by local situation or soil, their character and value has 

 been long proved, and that is a great point, as in the case of new 

 varieties chosen for some one minor -quality, such as colour, it is only 

 after they have been grown for years we begin to find out their bad 

 qualities. 



STAKING ORCHARD TREES. Fruit trees grown in any way are 

 fair to see in the time of flower and fruit, but our beautiful orchard 

 must be in turf if we are to have the best expression of its beauty. 

 In fruit gardens where the whole surface is cultivated with small fruits 

 below and taller trees overhead we may get as good, or, it may be, 

 better fruit, but we miss the finer light and shade and verdure of 

 the orchard in turf, the pretty incidents of the ground, and the 

 animal life among the trees in spring, as sheep in Kent, and the 

 interest of the wild gardening in the grass. Also the orchard turf, 

 by its shade or shelter, or in some way, becomes most welcome nib- 

 bling for lambs and calves in the spring. A gain of the orchard in 

 turf is that we can plant it on any ground, however broken or steep, 

 and in many parts of the country there is much ground of this sort to 

 be planted. Now, while we may in the garden or the fruit garden 

 plant trees without stakes, we cannot do so in the grass orchard, 

 because of the incursions of animals ; therefore staking is needed, not 

 only to support the tall and strong young trees which we ought to 

 plant, but also to guard against various injuries. The best way is to 

 use very strong stakes and make them protect and support the trees, 

 and also carry the wire netting which is essential wherever rabbits, 



