FRUIT TREES AS FLOWERING TREES 253 



a selection, several things have to be considered. First of all, if a prolonged 

 display of blossom is desired, and there is sufficient space at disposal, a selection 

 of varieties might be made from each of the genera previously mentioned, 

 remembering that as a general rule flowrering takes place in the following 

 order : almond, peach, plum, cherry, pear, apple, and medlar. Then, again, 

 it may happen that although the primary object of growling fruit trees in the 

 shrubbery and pleasure grounds is for picturesque effect, yet the owrner has 

 hopes that the blossom will be succeeded by a harvest of fruit. In such cases 

 varieties should be chosen which produce useful and at the same time showy 

 fruits. Consequently, in planting apple trees, we would choose those sorts that 

 are free-bearing, and whose fruits are of the brightest colours. Irish Peach, 

 Worcester Pearmain, Cox's Orange Pippin, King of the Pippins, Ribston 

 Pippin, Astrachan, are all free-flowering varieties, having beautifully coloured 

 first quality fruits. Lord Suffield, Ecklinville Seedling, Warner's King, and 

 Keswick Codlin, although producing poorly coloured fruits, nevertheless are 

 invaluable for this work on account of their profuseness of flowering and large 

 individual blossoms. The various Crabs ought also to find a place among such 

 a collection as we are considering, for few fruits make a more brilliant display 

 in the autumn months. 



In the choice of pears the colour of the fruits is not important, so that 

 floriferousness and quality of fruit remain the chief considerations. Marie 

 Louise, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Duchesse d'Angouleme, Pitmaston Duchess, 

 and Jargonelle are all free-flowering hardy varieties producing useful fruits, 

 and on the whole could hardly be improved upon for shrubbery planting. 

 Cherries cannot be cultivated in the flower garden for any other object 

 than their blossoms, as the pulpy fruits tempt all the birds in the neigh- 

 bourhood, even before they are ready for gathering, and netting the trees 

 would so detract from their appearance as to destpy the effect for which 

 they were planted. We have seen Morello cherries produced in shrubberies, 

 and a fair percentage of the crop saved from birds, but the fruit of sweet cherries 

 never, so that with this one exception cherries must be used outside the fruit 

 garden as flowering shrubs only. On the other hand, plum and damson trees 

 are quite as likely to ripen their luscious fruits while occupying a position 

 among other shrubs, as when growing in the fruit garden proper. Fruit 

 trees in the shrubbery or on the lawn may either be grown as standards or 

 pyramids just as occasion and environment require. In the case of the apple 

 and pear the choice of stocks for the different varieties determines whether 

 they can be used as small trees or large shrubs. When planted in the back 

 ground of a large plantation, singly, or in groups on the lawn, it is advisable, 

 whether grown in the form of a standard or otherwise, to have them grafted 

 on the Free stock. If in a small shrubbery or border of limited width, we 

 would advocate the use of the Paradise stock in the case of the apple, and 

 the Quince stock for the pear, so as to insure plants of dwarf, bushy habit 

 of growth. 



As an artistic feature in the pleasure grounds an orchard planted solely for 

 the beauty of its flowers and fruits has much to commend it. Its charm in 



