FOR PROFIT. 21 



luxuriant growth, and such wood had become frozen, 

 being unripe when winter sets in (especially Plums 

 and certain sorts of Apples), and bough after bough 

 has died off, and canker induced. 



This is only too apparent when a severe October frost 

 follows a wet "growing" summer. Plum plantations 

 after being attacked by caterpillar, make a late 

 autumnal growth, which suffers severely. In Apples 

 the same thing takes place, mildew also sets in, and 

 following the leaf-stalk to the eyes of the shoots, 

 forms canker, which eats into the boughs, and in a 

 few years changes a thriving plantation into a miserable 

 lot of cripples which cannot recover. The better plan 

 is first to see how trees succeed without manure, which, 

 on a moderately rich soil or old pasture, they may do 

 for years, such growth will be well matured and able 

 to resist our inclement winters, unripened wood being 

 the cause of so many trees missing a crop. Even if 

 they blossom in profusion the vital organs of the 

 flowers are not in a perfect state ; and especially with 

 Plums, some years may elapse before the trees become 

 fertile. "When a plantation shows signs of weakness 

 in the pale colour of its foliage, or the stunted growth 

 of the season, apply a liberal dressing ; but even then, 

 except in plantations where a top and bottom crop is 

 gathered, do not use too strong manure. Where 

 Apple or Pear trees carry heavy crops it may be put 

 on the surface in June or July, and the rain will 

 carry it to the roots and perfect the crop, besides 

 assisting the tree to fruit the next season. 



Strawberries. — Immediately the fruit is gathered, 

 the space between the rows must be horse hoed or 

 ploughed, to prevent the runners from striking. If 



