CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 429 



frosts. Considering the ease with which this may be combated, by 

 throwing over the tree a piece of netting, I wonder it is not more 

 practised on dwarf trees. Most gardeners, however, allow a certain 

 wall space to the choicest varieties, where protection is easier still. 

 It is a common complaint that the Plum in its earlier stages makes 

 too much growth. This should be remedied by the culture of 

 pyramids and bushes, when occasional transplanting for the first ten 

 years will ensure an abundance of fruiting spurs. It must also be 

 remembered that this fruit is a lime-loving plant, and needs a good 

 supply always at hand, or should I say at the root ? 



Plum orchards may be seen thriving on the Southern chalk downs 

 with the thinnest of surface soils. Of varieties there is a wide choice, 

 and I will mention but a few of the best. First of all comes Oullin's 

 Golden Gage, a large yellow fruit, excellent for dessert, and for 

 bottling one of the very best. August brings the Early Transparent 

 Gage, small, but certainly highly flavoured. September is the Plum 

 month, and many are at the disposal of the gardener. The Green 

 Gage, Transparent Gage, and Jefferson are all sorts that no self- 

 respecting gardener can dispense with, while for the kitchen, and also 

 for the boys home from school, Victoria, the ever-cropping, and Belle 

 de Louvain are desirable. Late varieties are found in Golden Trans- 

 parent and Coe's Golden Drop. It is not generally known that the 

 latter can be kept for a long period in a cool room. For late cooking 

 purposes Monarch and the newer President are most valuable. 



Those whose gardens are in sheltered spots, and where spring 

 frosts are not troublesome, should grow a tree or two of the Myrobalan, 

 of which there are two varieties yellow and red. The tree flowers 

 very early and is decorative, so that even if it fails to crop, it justifies 

 to some extent its existence. The fruits when bottled are excellent, 

 but must not be gathered too ripe, or they will be mealy. This must 

 not be confused with the Mirabelle of the Continent, which is of the 

 Gage tribe and noted for its excellent jam-making properties. 



The Pear. Although not so useful as the Apple, the Pear is more 

 luscious and refreshing. It is not more difficult to grow than the 

 Apple, although more fastidious as to climate, for in the warm southern 

 and western counties of England, the Pear thrives better than in the 

 more northern and colder districts. When once well established, it 

 will live and bear fruit for many years. In soil suitable for the Apple, 

 the Pear will also succeed. In one of the best hardy fruit gardens in 

 the south of England, on one side of an extensive drive, Apple trees are 

 planted, while the border on the opposite side contains splendid 

 specimens of Pear trees throughout its full length. Providing that 

 there is a sufficient depth of well-drained loamy soil, the Pear may be 

 successfully grown, but land that is of a gravelly nature through which 

 water passes away quickly is not suitable. If in possession of such 

 land, the cultivator should always well mulch the trees early in spring 

 by covering the surface of the soil several feet away from the stem of 

 the tree with short litter. This is of the greatest assistance to fruit 



