majority because they arc too impatient to get returns, and con- 

 sidered that because their trees were not bringing in money in 

 two or three years that their orchards were not a success, and 

 that trees would not prove satisfactory in their district; nothing 

 could be more erroneous than views such as these. The practical 

 fruit-grower recognises that he must wait a certain length of time 

 ior each class of tree to come into bearing, and he waits and 

 waits, perfectly satisfied so long as his trees show a thoroughly 

 healthy appearance, and he accepts this as the natural increment 

 as a result of his time, money, trouble and brains. Twelve years 

 ago we were asked to accompany the late Chief Justice through 

 his orchard in Drakenstein. Among other trees, he had over 

 i.ooo pears planted five years before; he was not satisfied with 

 the growth and bearing of these, the Bon Chretiens being the only 

 variety that was carrying a small crop. We at once perceived 

 that the trees were doing very satisfactorily, and told him so, at 

 which he seemed quite relieved ; \ve mentioned at the time that 

 we had planted several thousand pear trees on our own place, and 

 that if they were doing as well at the same age we would be 

 perfectly satisfied. Our views as then expressed have proved 

 themselves to be correct. Lord de Villiers having secured the last 

 few years satisfactory paying crops on the trees, and they stand 

 to-day a good, sound paying investment of permanent value. 



It would well repay the Government to have a man going 

 round continually who had a intimate knowledge of what to ex- 

 pect from the different classes of fruit, to point out to orchard- 

 ists where trees are in bearing, whether the growth be satisfactory 

 or no. and whether the general health and appearance of the 

 orchard be commensurate with the money and work put on it. 



In conclusion, we would say that farmers should under no 

 circumstances neglect pruning, but that cutting is a rational 

 operation and is done before the tree is expected to bear, with 

 the sole idea of shaping the tree to enable it to carry fruit, and 

 after the tree comes into bearing, with the idea of retaining it in 

 fruit covering a long lifetime. 



We think that it will not be out of place here to give a table 

 showing about what date the principle classes of fruits begin to 

 come into bearing ; it may be a guide to growers. 



Apples, on Spy or Communis from Rome Beauty, which 

 bears in the 3rd year, to Spy, which bears in the 8th. dependent 

 on variety. 



Pears on Pear, from Bon Chretien in the 4th year to Duchess 

 d'Angouleme in the 7th. 



On Quince in our experience hardly any earlier; this stock 

 shc.uld however, save a couple of years. 



Peaches. In the 3rd year, often in the 2nd. 



Apricots. In the 4th year. 



