22 FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION. 



As a general rule, 6in. is an ample depth of soil to place 

 over the roots. A safe guide, however, is the soil mark 

 on the base of the stem. Plant so that this mark is level 

 with the soil, and then the grower will not do far wrong. 

 Some growers recommend, in the case of very heavy soils, 

 to plant on the surface and cover with a mound of soil. 

 In such a case firm staking is necessary. 



The planting completed, wrap a narrow piece of sacking 

 around the stem of the tree, and then bring this and the 

 stake together, and loosely secure them with a ligature 

 of stout twine. These ties should be examined from time to 

 time, and readjusted, as, owing to the sinking of the soil, 

 the tree would otherwise get " hung," so to speak, on the 

 stake. Where trees are grown against walls or fences 

 they should only be temporarily secured, the permanent 

 fastening being deferred till spring. During the winter 

 it may be necessary now and then to tread the soil in fine 

 weather only, to render the surface firm. On light soils, 

 too, a mulching of manure will be beneficial. 



Labelling the Trees. It is well at planting time to see 

 that good permanent labels, bearing the name of each 

 variety, is attached to the tree. Nothing is more disap- 

 pointing than to find that later on the name is lost. The 

 best of all permanent labels is the " Acme," made of iron, 

 with white raised letters on a black ground. These', secured 

 by lead wire, will last a lifetime. 



Manuring Apple Trees. This subject is dealt with in 

 a separate article in Part II. of this book. 



Mode of Bearing. Fruit is borne on naturally-formed 

 spurs on the older wood. Such spurs may be easily 

 recognised in summer by their stubby appearance, and by 

 their being surrounded by a whorl of leaves. Further, 

 fruit is also borne on artificially-formed spurs created at 

 the base of shoots which have been summer and winter 

 pruned. Fruit buds are usually globose in shape, whereas 



