RATIONAL FRUIT CULTURE. 



35 



impossible after they are covered with soil. Bushes and small 

 pyramids rarely- need supports, but for standards they are 

 essential. The young roots are exceedingly brittle, and if there 

 is any swaying which causes them to move they are almost 

 sure to be broken. 



HOW TO STAKE THEM. 



The stakes should be strong, smooth, straight, and pointed 

 at the lower end. If this end is dipped in some preservative 

 they will last much longer. If they are crooked they are very 

 liable to damage the trees, because of the difficulty of pre- 

 venting contact at some point or other. They should be driven 

 into the ground on the side from which the prevalent wind 

 comes. In some cases it may be advisable to have two stakes 



! ^ 1 



Fig. 13.^Tying a Iruit tree— the cord crossed between It and the stake to keep 

 the two apart. 



to a tree — on opposite sides of it. The best tying material 

 is tarred string, which can be obtained from any horticultural 

 firm. To prevent the tree from being cut by the stake, or 

 from fraying against it, a narrow band of hay or sacking 

 should be put round it. The string should then be tied round 

 the band firmly, but not so tightly as to interfere with the 

 circulation of the sap, and should be passed round the stake 

 and made secure. If it is crossed between the tree and the 

 stake, it will help to keep the two apart. 



