CULTIVATION OF FRUIT 477 



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 i foot to 2 feet from the soil. The aim of the 

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

 more leaders, and then prune close in every season, allowing the main 

 shoot to extend as far as desired. 



In a few words, the main or strong lateral growths are cut close, 

 the short, small spray wood is left, and no suckers are allowed from 

 the stems or from the soil. Many years must elapse before large trees 

 can be formed, but once formed they remain fruitful for a lifetime, and, 

 given food in the way of surface dressing in the winter months, they 

 are most profitable. Night soil, mixed with long litter that has been 

 in heaps for some months, may be made good use of for old Nut trees. 

 Young trees that produce gross wood should not be fed. 



Varieties. The following are a few of the leading kinds. One 

 of the best is the Cosford, which has been already described. The 

 Kentish Cob is one of the most prolific, a good market variety and 

 free, and the newer Webb's Prize Crop promises well. This is an im- 

 proved Kent variety, and a larger cob than the older one. In the 

 Filbert none can beat the true Kent variety for flavour, but this 

 should be planted where a little protection can be afforded. It is not 

 so prolific as the old Red Filbert, which has a red skin and is very 

 free. The Filbert Prolific is distinct, produces fine clusters, having a 

 cut or frizzled husk, and is much liked in its green state before being 

 kept. 



The Raspberry. The Raspberry grows wild in moist and shady 

 places in many parts of England. Its home life reveals its require- 

 ments as to soil and situation. It succeeds best in a deep and moist 

 soil. In poor shallow soil its surface roots suffer from insufficient 

 moisture and nourishment. If the ground upon which it is intended 

 to cultivate Raspberries is light and rather poor, improve it by digging 

 in decayed leaves, or other refuse from the vegetable garden, and 

 also manure if available. A good mulch early in spring for a short 

 distance around the canes is of great benefit. The numerous fibrous 

 surface roots are kept cool and protected from the drying effects of the 

 hot sun, while they are benefited by the mulch. 



Planting. The best time for this is when the leaves are falling in 

 autumn, viz. in the month of October. Raspberries are usually trained 



