202 FRUIT FARMING 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



SUMMARY OF A YEAR'S WORKING ON A FRUIT FARM. 



The following reminder may be of use to beginners. 

 The several subjects are treated in the body of the 

 book, and should be referred to for further information. 



Skilled Labour. We have found the better-class 

 young agricultural hand, who takes an interest in 

 Fruit culture, readily picks up the necessary know- 

 ledge ; and as wages in the fruit districts are high 

 for experienced men, we advise growers to raise up 

 their own people ; a slight advance on the wages of 

 of the district will generally ensure good active 

 men, and avoid local friction caused by importing 

 44 strangers." 



The work to be done may vary from year to year 

 as the seasons are early or late but taken generally, 

 the operations come due about the specified time given. 



JANUARY. Apples that are in the store should be 

 carefully looked over, and those that are not keeping 

 well should be at once sorted over, and the sound 

 fruit be marketed. Best prices will be made by 

 sending regularly, rather than by saving up for a 

 Saturday's market. 



Work in the Plantations. Get on with carting 

 manure on the land for digging in. Complete the 

 planting of all Bushes and Trees not already put in 

 position, and stake and wire the Standards to protect 

 from cattle, if in Orchards. 



