FRUIT GARDENS. 17 



especially those parts six inches below, and the 

 same distance above ground, they will last as long 

 as protection is needed; they invariably decay 

 near the surface of the ground, under the com- 

 bined action of air and moisture 



FRUIT GARDENS. 



Some small holders of land may desire, not 

 an orchard of standard trees merely, but a 

 regular Apple and Plum garden, the majority 

 of the Apples being grown as bushes on a 

 dwarfing stock (hereafter referred to) for early 

 bearing ; with longer lived standards at suitable 

 intervals for coming into profit when the more pre- 

 cocious dwarfs fail, and remaining productive for 

 perhaps two or three generations. With well 

 chosen varieties, planted in good soil, a quicker 

 return on outlay is attainable by this method than 

 by any other, but the trees must have attention. 

 Obviously a far greater number is required for 

 planting a given extent of ground than for ordinary 

 orchards; but these dwarf trees, purchased as 

 ' maidens", or one year's growth after grafting or 

 budding, are the cheapest of all, and nurserymen 

 sell them at reduced rates by the hundred ; but 



c 



