72 



THE FRUIT GARDEN 



berries are very fruitful, and if at 



Portion of Branch to Show Method 

 OF Pruning Branches 



{i) One year's growths bearing some fruit 

 forming spurs, and continuation growth 

 with some side shoots in following 

 summer ; (u) points on two years' wood 

 where side shoots have been spurred in, 

 or cut to about an inch from base ; {v) 

 spurs on two years' wood that must be 

 retained for bearing ; (w) short growth 

 on three-year-old wood — it is often desir- 

 able to leave this in order to afford succes- 

 sion branches to those cut out ; [x) point 

 where a shoot has been cut out to prevent 

 crowding ; ( y) point where a branch may 

 be cut out when it becomes wealcened 

 and worn out by bearing, in favour of a 

 promising shoot. 



nent buds, and thus might spoil 

 the crop also. 



the July pruning the side shoots are pinched 

 at every fourth leaf they bear wonderful 

 crops. This form of training is used to 

 fill vacant spaces on walls and for plant- 

 ing against wire trellises ; in either case 

 they can be easily netted if birds are trouble- 

 some. Fan-trained, " U "-shaped, or pal- 

 mette (toasting-fork) trained are pretty forms 

 for trellises or walls ; a few of these should 

 be planted in warm situations for early 

 picking, and also on north walls, where the 

 fruits may be gathered as late as September, 

 and are then much appreciated. 



In the Midlands and the North, goose- 

 berry shows are held, at which enormous 

 fruits are exhibited. These are obtained by 

 syringing the trees frequently in dry weather, 

 keeping the soil moist by covering it with 

 chickweed or some low-growing herb, and 

 by liberal feeding at the roots with liquid 

 manure. When the fruits are developing, 

 all except a few of the best shaped ones 

 are removed. This method of culture, how- 

 ever, constitutes merely a hobby, for a 

 moderate-sized berry for dessert purposes is 

 far preferable. Except for exhibition, thin- 

 ning the fruits is sufficiently carried out by 

 removing a portion of them for cooking in 

 a green state. 



Bird Enemies. — Where bullfinches and 

 sparrows injure and destroy the buds of the 

 trees, it is a good plan to tie up the bushes 

 and prune them early in March. Upright- 

 growing varieties are less attacked than 

 those with drooping shoots, as the birds 

 readily settle on the latter, and very prickly 

 sorts are safer. A dressing of soot, lime, 

 and new milk syringed on the trees in 

 November in dry weather will often protect 

 the buds. Where bullfinches and sparrows 

 are numerous, pruning is best deferred until 

 March ; the birds select the most promi- 

 the shape of the young trees and reduce 



