74 THE MINlATUEE FEUIT GAEDEN 



before mentioned as my seedlings, are most deserving 

 of our attention as stocks for forming fruitful healthy 

 pyramids and bushes, the culture of which is very 

 simple. Grafted trees of one, two, or three years' 

 growth, with straight leading stems, well furnished 

 with buds and branches to the junction with the stock, 

 should be planted. No manure should be placed to 

 their roots, but some light friable mould should be 

 shaken into them, the earth filled in, trodden down, and 

 two or three shovelfuls of half-rotten manure laid on the 

 surface round each tree. This surface-dressing may be 

 given with advantage every succeeding autumn. If the 

 soil be very wet and retentive, it will be better to plant 

 the trees in small mounds ; and if symptoms of canker 

 make their appearance, their roots should be examined 

 annually in the autumn, as recommended in root-prun- 

 ing of pears on the quince stock, introducing the spade 

 directly under the roots, so as to prevent any entering 

 deeply into the soil, and bringing all as nearly to the 

 surface as possible, filling in the trench with light friable 

 compost ; or the tree may be lifted and replanted, which 

 will be found more efficient. 



If the soil be unfavourable, and apt to induce a 

 too vigorous growth in apple trees, followed by canker, 

 the roots should be annually root-pruned, or the trees 

 lifted — i.e. taken up and replanted. If, however, 

 the trees make shoots of only moderate vigour, and are 

 healthy and fruitful, their roots may remain undis- 

 turbed ; pinching their shoots in summer, as directed 



