14 BROOKE-HUNT on the National Fruit and 



readily identified. Beyond this, trees of the different varieties 

 will be grown and an endeavour made to get these planted out in 

 orchards in various parts of some, if not all, of the contributing 

 counties, so that it may be possible to compare their growth in 

 different parts and altitudes and in different soils. Then, when 

 a farmer comes to the Institute and asks what varieties are 

 recommended, he can be told which have done best on soils 

 similar to those of his own district. 



Furthermore, it is hoped in course of time that practically 

 every known variety may be propagated, the habit of growth 

 of the tree and the character of the fruit carefully noted and 

 classified, and varieties which are practically the same under 

 different names brought together under one, so that the Institute 

 will really become a place where all information respecting 

 varieties that it is possible to acquire will be available for the 

 benefit of those who desire it. 



It is intended to develop the " fruit plantation " as a place 

 where fruit of all sorts, other than cider and perry fruit, may 

 be grown. Here persons may be shown the most profitable 

 way of laying out land with fruit ranging from standard apples 

 and pears down to strawberries, the growth of leading varieties 

 of dessert or culinary fruit may be tested as regards that 

 particular soil, and different systems of training and pruning 

 may be demonstrated. 



Space will not permit of my entering more fully into the 

 various problems which may engage attention in these several 

 plantations, or into the possibility which has already been mooted 

 of a* scheme of devolution, involving the placing of orchards, 

 old or to be formed, in different parts of the contributing counties 

 under the definite advice, or even the control of the Institute. 

 This is a matter which may worthily engage the attention of 

 landowners in those districts. 



By kind permission of the Somerset County Council, the 

 whole of the fruit-growing department has been placed under 

 the superintendence of Mr. John Ettle, F.B.H.S., at any rate for 

 the present, and there is a resident foreman who works under 

 him. An old author who wrote much on the dignity and value 

 of fruit trees and the art of planting them, says, " Exercise in the 

 " work of planting fruit trees, with moderate use of Cider arid 

 " Perry, are the most effectuall naturall means for attayning 

 " health and long life." The horticultural staff have not 

 yet had the opportunity of indulging in the products 

 manufactured by the Institute, but, judging from what there 

 is to do in the way of planting, they should certainly, so far 

 as exercise is concerned, stand a very good chance of attaining 

 the two advantages above mentioned ! 



