4 PIGTOBTAL PB.AGTIGAL FBUIT GROWING. 



the trench to 6 or 8 inches, which will be quite suitable. Place the trees in 

 the trench about 2 feet apart after cutting any of the prong roots which 

 may have been broken smoothly across ; arrange them at an angle of about 

 45°, and shovel soil over the roots, working it carefully in amongst the 

 fibres. Tread gently, but firmly, and spread over all a coating of well- 

 decayed manuTe, subsequently covering this with the remainder of the soil. 



By following this system, there can be scarcely a doubt about the trees 

 taking kindly to the soil. They will bear some fruit the first season, even 

 though very little. It is no disadvantage to have a light crop the first year 

 of planting ; on the contrary, it should be viewed with satisfaction, because 

 there is then no danger of tlie trees suffering from an over heavy burden. 



The whole of the work indicated, from the erection of the framework to 

 the planting of the trees, ma,y be done in autumn, in winter, or in early 

 spring. Midwinter is not a very good time, because tlie posts and trees 

 have not a good chanc6 of becoming bedded to their positions in the soil, 

 owing to the changes brought about by rain and frost. 



Apples and Pears are admirably adapted to this method of culture, and 

 by selecting sorts with care (see a subsequent chapter) and pruning judi- 

 ciously (also to be treated later) a long sucGe;siou of fruit can be had. 

 True, each tree will only yield a limited quantity, but it will be of large size 

 and splendid quality. 



Plums are not quite so well suited, as they are naturally of much more 

 vigorous growth than Apples and Pears, and not nearly so amenable to the 

 restrictive system of pruning. I prefer to grow them as pyramids or 

 standards. 



Gooseberries and Red Currants may be grown with great success on the 

 cordon principle, and it may be pra,ctised unhesitatingly with the former 

 where a good many varieties are wanted for dessert or exhibition. 



It is important to utter a warning that the system herein described is 

 not suitable for market work. The cultivator who grows fruit tor profit will 

 want large quantities of a limited number of chosen sorts, not one or two 

 trees of a great many varieties. (Sec chapter on " Profitable Culture.") 



The full advantages of the system are only manifest to the private 

 groVcTer. To the latter it means the ability to grow a great many varieties 

 on a very small strip of ground, without the aid of a fence or wall. By 

 choosing varieties which ripen in succession he will not have a good deal of 

 fruit ready at the same time, but will have a long and continuous supply. 

 He can have both Apples and Pears, in fact, from July to April, and of the 

 former a few of the best keepers may last until the next crop is ready. 



It may be desirable in some cases to establish more than one of these 

 frameworks on the same plot of ground. Any number may be so provided 

 if a space of about 4 feet is allowed from one to the other. This distance 

 will permit of plenty of sunlight getting to the trees, of a free circulation of 

 air, of space for pruning, and of freedom of movement in surface culture. 

 It will also allow of the roots spreading without one row robbing another. 



By no other means can space be so closely and well cropped with the 

 larger kinds of fruit in gardens where walls or suitable fences do not exist. 



Where there is more space at disposal, and a desire exists for a complete 

 fruit garden, an interesting and valuable adjunct to a home may be 

 established. Fig. 2 (see page 5) shows the ground plan of an amateur's 

 fruit garden, arranged with a due regard to the \arious interests involved, 

 such as^the inclusion of the principal kinds, suitability of site and aspect, 

 and the welfare of other occupants of the garden. 



