14 FRUIT FARMING 



our intention is to give planters hints as to the kinds 

 of fruit likely to suit their soils. 



Situation. — Avoid planting in land unduly exposed 

 to north, east or west winds, unless shelter belts are 

 intended to be planted. Soil that is naturally drained 

 is even preferable to land that requires artificial 

 drainage. Avoid planting close to a river, stream or 

 lake, although fruit is seen frequently doing well in 

 such places, Apples even hanging over the water ; but 

 evening mists, rising from damp places, fall on the 

 blossom, which being frozen early in the morning by 

 spring frosts, produce fatal results. Bush fruits and 

 Strawberries do not need shelter so much as orchard 

 fruits. 



Where prevailing winds are from the plantation to 

 the water, such orchards may escape ; but if you desire 

 to plant, let there be a belt of alder, ash or willow, 

 to separate fruit trees from the water. A little further 

 away. Cherries, Pears and Apples will succeed, as 

 there is generally a fine deep loam in such situations, 

 and trees grow to a great size. Again, bleak hills 

 and uplands are to be avoided, although the southern 

 side may be tried, and in Kent there are some fine 

 plantations of Cob Nuts, Damsons, and under fruit, in 

 such unlikely places, which give good returns as the 

 rent is low, but strong manure must be freely 

 supplied. 



The writer has been particularly interested in the 

 fine examples of Apples received from Armagh in 

 Ireland, from Cornwall and other outside quarters, 

 proving that many more centres of production could 

 be utilized. The red lands of Hereford and Worcester 

 produce fine fruit. In wind swept counties the valleys 

 are often very productive. 



