THE FEUrr GAKDKN-. 197 



ers. Any intelligent nurseryman who has a correspond- 

 ence with all parts of the country, and is thoroughly alive 

 to all the branches of his profession, and the results of 

 experience, can aid planters greatly in making appropriate 

 selections. It is true that the amount of knowledge col- 

 lected on this head is yet comparatively small ^ and quite 

 insufficient for a general guide, but it is every day accu- 

 mulating, and what there may be, is well worthy of atten- 

 tion. The experience of fruit growers, as elicited at recent 

 jDomological conventions, has brought to light a multitude 

 of highly important facts, bearing on this very point. 

 These will be moi-e particularly noted when we come to 

 the description of fruits. 



Varieties sJioxild le adapted in their groicth to the form 

 they are to be grown in, and to the extent of the Garden. — 

 For pyramidal trees, varieties should be chosen whose 

 habits of growth are regular or slightly spreading, the 

 branches assuming more of the horizontal than the 

 upright, and those disposed to branch low down should be 

 preferred to those of an opposite habit. Where the gar- 

 den is small, moderate or slow growers should be pre- 

 ferred to rapid and vigorous growers. They should also be 

 well adapted to the stock on which they are worked. This 

 is a very important point, but one on which only a few 

 persons in this country have yet acquired any considera- 

 ble amount of actual experience. Still, many important 

 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 imj)ortant 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 he 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 

 for profit, to supply his family with good fruits. This is 



