CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 323 



not trustworthy. In the Kent Nut-fields the trees do not always occupy 

 the whole space ; the trees or bushes are trained low, and there are 

 rows of standard Plums or Apples at distances of thirty feet to forty 

 feet apart, and these trees, in addition to being valuable for their 

 crop, act as a protection to the Nuts when in flower in spring. No 

 one who can grow good Plums or stone fruits need hesitate about 

 planting Nuts, and though they like a deep and well-drained soil, in 

 some parts of Kent there are excellent trees on banks in rough, poor 

 soil, which, however, in many cases, is top-dressed with quick acting 

 fertilisers. Excellent crops are produced. 



The beginner should purchase stock from a good source, and select 

 the best kinds. As these trees begin to grow early in the season 

 autumn planting is advised. When planting leave the trees ten feet 

 apart. Fifteen feet is sometimes allowed, and then there is none 

 too much room ; but almost everything depends upon the soil and 

 variety. Some kinds require greater space, and when twenty feet is 

 given between the rows dwarf bush fruits may be planted. The smaller 

 space is preferable between the trees in the row, and give, say, thirty- 

 one feet to forty feet clear space for standard fruit trees. On the 

 other hand, when fifteen feet is allowed, and bush Currants, Goose- 

 berries, or even rows of Strawberries are grown between the trees, 

 when the Nut bushes need more space it is an easy matter to destroy 

 the bush fruits. It may appear strange to the beginner to be told that 

 trained and regularly formed Nut trees are far more profitable than 

 the rougher type seen so frequently in gardens. Those who intend to 

 make Nuts profitable would do well to study the two systems. Trees 

 in a garden are often merely a thicket or hedge of growth and a few 

 Nuts appear at times. Then there is a fair crop on that portion 

 of the trees exposed to the light. The Nut, on the other hand, 

 is not at all fastidious as to soils, and rarely fails when hard 

 pruned year after year, so that the restricted branches are like an 

 old Apple tree cut hard back yearly and only spur-growth allowed to 

 develop. 



The trees are in many cases kept quite open in the centre, or what 

 may be called cup-shaped. Some, however, are more spreading and 

 resemble saucers or shallow bowls. When the form of the trees has been 

 decided upon cut away strong side shoots at pruning time, but leave 

 the small twiggy wood, as this produces the fruit and catkin, to assist 

 in setting a crop. Cut back also the main or leading shoots when no 

 extension of the trees is necessary, and these will then form spurs or 

 buds for next season's supply. 



The Cosford bears catkins abundantly, and on this account alone is 

 valuable to plant among other varieties. It is also a first-rate variety 

 with a roundish nut, thin shell, and very sweet flavour. This will 

 come quite true from seed, which makes it a valuable garden variety. 

 No matter what variety is grown, sucker growth should not be allowed, 

 and if the trees are a fair size when obtained they will have a clear 

 stem of at least one foot to two feet from the soil. The aim of the 

 cultivator should be to keep the trees open. Secure six to eight or 



