Gardening for Amateurs 



367 



Apple Allington Pippin. 



Fruit Growing for Amateurs 



PLANNING a Small Fruit Garden. 

 It is almost as interesting to cul- 

 tivate fruit as flowers, and there is 

 the additional advantage that fruit proves 

 an especially useful commodity in the 

 home. Those who possess a small garden 

 would do well to devote a portion of it 

 to hardy fruit, even if it is only pos- 

 sible to grow a limited number of trees 

 and bushes. It is of no use planting fruit 

 trees unless they can be given regular and 

 correct attention, for if they are left to look 

 after themselves, as is sometimes the case, 

 the result is unprofitable and disappointing. 

 Prospective planters should not be deterred 

 on this account, for the management of the 

 trees is not difficult if a few essential details 

 are observed. 



Position. Fruit trees require a sunny 

 position. A stretch of ground that is open 

 to the south, with shelter from the north and 

 east, might be regarded as ideal for the pur- 

 pose, but it should not be too much enclosed 



by forest trees or buildings, for an open situa- 

 tion is far better for the trees. A garden 

 surrounded by a brick wall answers admir- 

 ably, as the walls provide warmth and 

 shelter, which enables a great variety of 

 fruits to be grown. If the land slopes slightly 

 to the south so much the better, for it will 

 harbour an increased amount of warmth. 

 Never choose a low, flat situation, for such 

 positions are usually excessively damp, and 

 damp is one of the enemies the fruit grower 

 has to contend with. Late spring frosts, which 

 so often injure the blossom, are invariably 

 more severe in low-lying districts. Trees in 

 such positions often suffer, when those on 

 higher ground are comparatively immune 

 from injury. Moss and lichen, too, are always 

 more in evidence in damp, low-lying situa- 

 tions. 



The Soil. As a general rule, ordinary 

 garden soil that has been in cultivation for 

 a number of years suits fruit trees very well. 

 If the land is not properly drained, have 



