CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 421 



noted, and that is late frosts when the trees are in flower. All hardy 

 fruit trees are, of course, liable to suffer from the same cause, though 

 the flowers of the Apple tree, opening later than those of the Pear or 

 Cherry, are less likely to suffer through the frost. The effects of frost 

 may be lessened by selecting as sheltered a position as possible, such 

 as is afforded by trees, a hedge, or wall. Not only are such shelters of 

 service in preventing the flowers being killed by frost, but they are 

 also useful in protecting the trees from rough winds. The cold east 

 winds of spring injure the blossoms almost as much as frost, and the 

 rough west winds in autumn sometimes bring down bushels of fruit. 

 It is well to bear in mind also that the flowers of trees upon high 

 ground, where the air is dry, are not so liable to be caught by frost 

 as those of trees planted in damp and low positions. If the garden, 

 therefore, affords any variety in elevation, rather choose the higher 

 than the lower ground. 



Soil. Land that is capable of growing ordinary garden vegetables 

 will also agree with Apple trees. If upon reaching a depth of 2 feet 

 water is found, drainage is necessary. In soil rendered cold and 

 damp by the almost continual presence of water Apple trees will not 

 grow satisfactorily. The best and simplest method to get rid of 

 stagnant water is to lay down drain-pipes 5 or 6 yards apart and 

 about 3 feet below the surface of the soil, taking care to so place 

 them as to give a slight fall towards, and connect them with, an 

 outlet. 



Purchasing Trees. Always deal with a well-known firm, for 

 strong, healthy trees, true to name, may then be relied upon. It is 

 wise to pay a few more pence for a good article. Order in good time 

 in the summer, so that you may rely upon having the trees in early 

 autumn the best season for planting. If, when they arrive, it is not 

 possible to plant them at once, never leave the roots exposed to the 

 air or they will soon become dry and shrivelled; take out a small 

 trench in the border, lay in the roots of the Apple trees, and cover 

 them over with soil until planting time. Only reliable varieties should 

 be purchased, unless, as is sometimes the case, an exceptionally good 

 local kind is cultivated in the neighbourhood. 



Planting. The work of planting fruit trees is important, and 

 requires to be carefully performed. The best time to do this is in 

 the month of November, before all the leaves have fallen, for then the 

 trees are able to become somewhat established before the winter 

 months, and in spring will be quite ready to make a good start. 

 When planting is deferred until winter the ground has by then 

 become cold and probably wet conditions that are most unfavour- 

 able to root action. It is wiser to wait until the month of March than 

 plant in midwinter, if it is not possible to do so in November. Natur- 

 ally, trees planted in spring do not make such good growth the first 

 season as those planted the previous autumn. Having finally decided 

 upon the position, the next thing is to make a hole sufficiently large 

 to comfortably hold all the roots when they are spread out. Nothing 



