8 FRUIT FARMING 



much liked by the women, who for the most part are 

 paid by the day, or by the half-sieve or tally. 



Another point is the winter work among plantations 

 and orchards. In Kent many persons go round and 

 prune trees by the " great " (or contract), such earn 

 good wages, thus giving an intelligent man an 

 advantage over less energetic labourers ; and the 

 digging, which is done per acre, enables a strong and 

 willing hand to earn more than ordinary pay; while 

 the winter packing is work for many, and where fruit 

 is stored, wet days can be utilised in looking it over. 

 Again, basket making can easily be learnt, and would 

 afford employment at their homes for old couples, 

 those who could not work otherwise ; in fact this might 

 be done at the workhouse; while osiers could be 

 grown on wet land that is now desolate. Where Cob 

 Nuts are cultivated there will annually be suckers or 

 wands which are suitable for basket-making, always 

 remembering to put by some of the best "wands" for 

 packing. Some markets prefer fruit packed in hundred- 

 weight barrels, and others in boxes this is treated 

 further on. Fruit growing cannot fail in some degree 

 to check the exodus to our colonies of some of our 

 best farm workmen, and prove a boon to those who 

 find a large family a burden in this country. 



It is further a matter of national importance to keep 

 the young men in the villages, to prevent that over- 

 crowding in the towns which has such a serious effect 

 on their physique, as the army returns show that the 

 best and hardiest soldiers and sailors are recruited 

 from country born lads. 



In this book each kind of fruit is treated in a 

 separate chapter, and although more varieties might be 



