156 FRUIT. 



of them may take precedence, when well grown, over those in 

 the lists, which are only intended as a guide to the uninitiated 

 in selecting the varieties for successful competition. All exhi- 

 bitors of fmit select the best varieties at their command, 

 with little regard as to whether they have only a local or a 

 widely known reputation. 



Well-formed, healthy, dwarf, pyramid ti'ees, grafted on the 

 proper stock, should be obtained early in Autumn, or as soon as 

 the leaves have fallen, and be planted on a well-prepared loam, 

 spreading out the roots, and keeping them near the surface. 

 Provision should be made for the production of early fruit, as 

 well as for the growth of the more tender varieties, by planting 

 them against a wall. After planting the trees, and staking 

 those that require it, a mulching of stable manure should be 

 spread over the roots. Defer pruning till spring, when the 

 leader should be shortened to about one foot in length, and 

 the side-.shoots to about nine inches. As the young shoots 

 grow they should be pinched when about six inches long, to 

 form fruit-bearing spurs, continuing this operation as long as 

 growth is being made, and then very little winter pruning 

 will be necessary. 



The apple is subject to the attack of many insects, but the 

 caterpillar of the winter moth is the most destructive. Pinch 

 the infected leaves and growths to clean the trees of insects, 

 and remove all small and deformed fruit after they are set and 

 swelling. Not more than one fruit on each spur should be 

 left at the final thinning, as overcropping invariably ends in 

 failure. Liquid manure should be freely applied when the 

 fruit is swelling, and the ground mulched to produce a healthy 

 root action and large fruit. It will not do for the exhibitor 

 to neglect the trees all summer, and go round them the day 

 before the show looking for the apples that will bring him 

 success. He must diligently look to their wants fi'om the 

 time they start into growth until the fruit is ready to gather. 

 The trees should be root-pruned if necessary as soon as the 

 leaves begin to fall in October, by making an excavation about 

 three feet from the stem, to admit of all downward running 

 roots being cut ; which operation has also the tendency to pre- 



