122 PIOTOBIAL PRACTICAL FBUIT GHOWING. 



But that these definitions are not always adhered to is shown by the fact 

 that the Lambert Filbert is known as the Kentish Cob, and even as the 

 " Filbert Cob." 



With respect to varieties, let it be said at once that the Cosford, Lam- 

 bert, and White Filbert are three of the very best. With its great pro- 

 ductiveness, thin shell, and fine flavour, Cosford seems to me to present 

 itself as the one to choose if a single sort is wanted. 



Like most other fruits, Nuts are generally fated to a fairly long 

 occupancy of the ground on which they are planted, and the soil should 

 therefore be well cultivated for them, being trenched and manured. Trees 

 full of suckers should be sternly rejected, and specimens on clean stems 

 chosen. Half-standards or standards, having stems 3 to 6 feet long, can be 

 had, but dwarfs with stems of not more than 2 feet are better. In Kent 

 such trees are common, and they are trained in the shape of a hasin, with 

 the centres open. The leaders are shortened soon after planting, and the 

 resulting growths shortened again to provide ii choice of shoots for giving 

 the shape of the basin. Shoots that commence to grow towards the centre 

 are at once cut out, and only upward and outward growing branches preserved. 



The annual pruning after the tree is formed is a matter for judgment, 

 and the first essential to correct procedure is a knowledge of the character 

 of the tree. Nuts have two forms of flower — the Nut-bearer, a little reddish 

 tuft at the top of a plump bud, and the male, a cylindrical grey catkin, 

 bearing yellowish pollen. Both are necessary to friiitfulness. 



Those whose experience is not great enough to enable them to tell what 

 is and what is not going to develop into a Nut-bearing flower should defer 

 pruning until the reddish tufts show, otherwise they may cut away the crop. 



When this stage is reached go over each of the main branches in turn, 

 and shorten each of the side shoots bearing both catkins and Nut-bearers 

 to rhe catkin, or in the absence of a catkin to about 3 inches long, taking 

 care, however, not to out below the fruit buds. Short shoots terminating in 

 a fruit bud may be left untouched. Older wood that does not show bloom 

 buds may be shortened freely. The figures on pages 119, 120, and 121 give 

 useful details, and may be referred to with advantage. 



Cbapter XVlll — StraiDberrks. 



When a writer sets out to deal with a fruit so popular as the Straw- 

 berry, he may, I hope, be pardoned if he is tempted to fly to some writer 

 fond of odd phrases and tortuous allusions— Mr. Meredith, for example— in 

 search of a fresh stock of adjectives. 



Strawberries have been written up by growers of old-time so often and 

 eloquently that the poor twentieth century scribbler has but a moderate 

 chance of saying anything fresh. He can chat about new varieties, about 

 " new-fangled " manures, and then, as far as freshness goes, his course is 

 run. 



It is odd, though, that plenty of bad Strawberries are still grown— as 

 many, perhaps, as c\er there were. And here one comes face to face with 

 a fact that must have struck many of my readers before it struck me, and 

 that is, multiply sources of instruction as you will, the fascination of 



