THE APPLE. 61 



aud pears, the results of this labor can only be known after the 

 lapse of several years, something shorter in the plum and cherry, 

 and considerably less in the grape, or raspberry, or currant, or 

 strawberry. But if these experiments are continued, and every 

 year some new cross-fertilizations are effected, soon every year will 

 bring its pleasure in the testing of new fruits, called into existence 

 by your skill, beginning with the small fruits that come earliest 

 into bearing, and extending eventually to the appeamnce of the 

 new apples and pears. 



THE APPLE. 



This frait can be grown with some degree of success in all 

 parts of the Dominion, and in some parts it can be grown to as 

 high a degree of perfection, in aU the requisites of quantity, 

 quality and appearance, as in any part of the world. Already 

 Canadian apples are attaining a favorable. position in the markets 

 of Great Britain, and the attentive cultivator finds the orchard 

 the most remunerative part of the farm. 



The SOU most favorable to the growth of the apple tree, and 

 the production of fine apples, is a strong calcareous loam, yet it 

 will thrive and yield good fruit on all soUs. Any soil of sufficient 

 fertUity to produce good farm crops wiU be suited to the apple, 

 yet a clayey loam is preferable to light sand, and a rolling, 

 uneven surface to level ground. But it is of the greatest moment, 

 and essentially requisite to the health and longevity of the tree 

 and the perfect development of the frait, that the soil be perfectly 

 drained. 



The pruning of an apple orchard is simply for the purpose of 

 keeping the head of the tree open, so as to give the leaves ample 

 exposure to the sun and air. If done regularly every year, but 

 little cutting will be needed at any one time, and that chiefly of 

 small branches. No rules can be laid down other than the sug- 

 gestions already given on the subject of pruning, and each grower 

 must learn to use his judgment, and adapt his pruning to the 



habit of growth of the tree in hand. 

 6 



