54 Encyclopaedia of Gardening 



FRUIT continued. 



more productive for being crowded. The system of training is to 

 pinch back a young plant to induce it to push side shoots until about 

 a dozen have been secured that are well placed round the centre, 

 growth and then to let these extend as main branches. No central 

 is taken up. Side shoots push from the main branches, and few or 

 more are retained according to space. Nuts are propagated mainly 

 by suckers and layers. The former, which are basal shoots, are 

 drawn away from the root and planted, the lower buds being 

 removed to leave a clear stem. In the case of layers, young shoots 

 about 2 ft. long are drawn down horizontally and the lower part 

 pegged to the ground. It facilitates rooting if they are partially 

 cut through. When rooted they are trans- 

 planted, and the lower buds removed, as in 

 the case of the suckers, leaving, however, 

 sufficient to form the first set of side branches 

 when the head is removed. In forming a 

 plantation for commercial purposes a sheltered 

 place should be chosen, and the trees should 

 be set 12 ft. apart. The nut weevil must be 

 kept in check. It appears in May, and pierces 

 the young nut. When full-fed it turns into 

 a chrysalis and lies buried in the ground 

 throughout the winter. If any weevils are 

 seen, spray with arsenate paste, 4- oz. per 

 gallon of water ; or put tarred boards beneath 

 the bushes and shake the weevils off. 



Orange (Citrus Aurantium). The Orange is 

 not cultivated for commercial purposes in the 

 northern countries, but it is often grown for 

 ornament, as small plants in pots or tubs 

 look very effective when full of fruit. For 

 A cut is made in the stem this purpose the Otaheite Orange is very 

 suitable - K does not require much heat, in 

 fact mere protection from frost in winter 

 will suffice. It is thus suitable for cool green- 

 houses and conservatories. A compost of loam, leaf mould, and 

 sand suits it. The habit is naturally compact, so that very little 

 pruning is needed, but the leaves should be sponged occasionally 

 to keep the plant clean and healthy. If seedling Oranges are raised 

 from pips they may be made into good fruiting plants by inarching 

 fruiting branches of the Otaheite Orange. When repotting is 

 necessary it should be done in spring. 



Peach and Nectarine (Prunus Persica). Peaches differ from 

 Nectarines only in having a downy instead of a smooth skin; for 

 cultural purposes the two fruits may be considered as one. They 

 are the most juicy and luscious of all the larger fruits, with the 

 possible exception of the Pear. They are not, however, so hardy 

 as their relatives the Plum and the Cherry. Partly from this cause, 

 and partly because they lend themselves so well to flat training, 

 they are almost exclusively grown .against walls, but in the corn- 



How TO GRAFT AN 

 ORANGE. 



attached. 



