34 



THE FRUIT GARDEN 



the hop poles are removed, and the protection afforded by the growing hop 

 crop is suddenly withdrawn, they are apt to be damaged by the autumn gales. 

 The long boughs are so bent by the wind that they are strained at the base, 

 and then gum and decay. We prefer cherry orchards to be formed on arable 

 land which is not heavily manured, or in meadow land where the stems have 

 3 feet of ground around them clear of grass. In these positions a sturdy, hard 

 growth is made, which can be well ripened before the winter, and when pruned 

 produces such shoots as will form a sound tree. Again, when the trees are 



Fruiting Branch with Characteristic Growths 



(k) Continuation of branch ; (v) side shoots showing natural forking of extension branches 

 annually ; these, and the leading shoot, must not be shortened if required for forming 

 branches, otherwise they should be pinched to form spurs ; if left entire they will form fruit 

 buds the first year with some wood buds interspersed {see leafless shoot on side) ; {w) fruit 

 produced from blossom buds on preceding year's wood ; {x) spurs on last year's wood on 

 which fruit is produced the following summer ; (7) two-year-old spurs fruiting. Shoot 

 (one-year-old) on side ; {2) wood buds ; (a) blossom buds. 



upon grass land, sheep should be kept in the orchards until the grass is quite- 

 short ; then, if the sheep are fed on oil-cake or other rich food, the trees will 

 benefit. Nothing is more injurious to orchard trees than to allow rank long 

 grass to grow close to them, as it robs them of moisture and does much harm 

 to the surface roots. Even old neglected cherry orchards, when the grass is 

 cleared from around the stems, will respond astonishingly, and a grand return 

 will be had from trees that appeared to be worn out. 



Varieties. — It is always advisable to have as few varieties as possible.. 

 The cultivator will be able to determine whether early, mid-season, or late 

 fruits are most suitable, and act accordingly. Generally, the White Heart or 



