396 Remarks on Dwarfing Fruit Trees. ' 



nishes a hint even to our brethren of the plough, of what 

 may be done by perseverance ; and that it is not merely the 

 number of acres a man possesses, but the amount of appli- 

 cation, aided by a mind of expansive character, that signal- 

 izes efforts in this way. 



Whilst pointing to the benefits to be derived by carrying 

 out such a course of culture, it ought not to be forgotten 

 that, within the range of her majesty's dominions, at home, 

 a variety of climate occurs. People about the great me- 

 tropolis, who do care about the thrice-told tales of cool cli- 

 mates farther north, may and do think that too much fuss 

 is apt to be made about warm aspects, ripening the wood, 

 protection and all those minutias, which those who have 

 gardened far north, or in localities of considerable altitude, 

 have been compelled to pay regard to. So various, how- 

 ever, are the conditions in this respect, that it is next to 

 impossible to lay down one set of rules for fruit culture, even 

 for Britain alone, to say nothing of British possessions across 

 the water ; for our neighbors, or dependencies in the colo- 

 nies, have no doubt frequently profited by the sound advice 

 which flows from the horticultural press of Britain. 



Having stated thus much as a preliminary introduction to 

 some general remarks I wish to offer, I will now proceed to 

 point out a few of the main principles which must at all 

 times influence proceedings in this way, be the clime what 

 it may, capable of modification nevertheless, such modifica- 

 tion dependent in the main on the average amount of solar 

 light, together with the average of atmospheric humidity. 

 Herein lies the basis of the whole argument, according to 

 my opinion, for the question of heat appears to me as a 

 secondary consideration. 



Depth of Soil. — Although all other requisites are duly 

 carried out in establishing fruit trees on a strict dwarfing 

 system, if the soil is prepared too deep, it will have a con- 

 tinual tendency to mar all other efforts. 



Depth of root, when considerable, especially if the soil be 

 of a generous character, is sure to produce a late root-action, 

 and this is as sure to prove an impediment to the perfect 



