FOR FROFIT. 203 



Winter Pruning can be done in mild weather on 

 the Top Crops, deferring the cutting of Bush Fruits 

 till last. Keep an eye on Bullfinches and Sparrows, 

 and destroy all you can. 



Hedges and Shelters. — Fill up gaps in hedges and 

 wind-shelters. Poplars can be cut in to thicken the 

 growth of the past summer shoots. Cob Nuts may 

 be pruned this month. (See Chapter IV.) 



February. — As Canadian and American Apples 

 will now be arriving in large quantities, it will be 

 well to market all fruit in store. Only send the best 

 to distant markets, the " seconds " sell better to local 

 buyers. At this season large kitchen Apples make 

 good prices, as the American fruits do not cook well. 

 Bramley's is now the favourite late Apple for 

 cooking. 



Orchards and Plantations. — The work is very similar 

 to that of January, and digging should be completed 

 as soon as possible. Towards the middle of the month, 

 those large trees which are to be grafted, should be 

 headed down, and the grafts to be put upon them 

 should be procured, and be heeled in a shady place 

 two thirds of their lengths below ground, in bundles 

 of 30 to 40, properly labelled. 



Cob Nuts will now be in blossom, and the long 

 catkins will open and diffuse their pollen. It pays to 

 go over them in dry weather, tapping them with a 

 stick wrapped round with flannel to scatter this pollen 

 more freely to induce fertility. 



This is a good month to dress fruit trees for Pear 

 Midge, Moth-eggs, etc., with Caustic Wash. 



March. — Newly-planted trees will now pay for a 

 mulching on the surface of half-long litter, to prevent 



