21^— On Fruit 



Trevor Monmouth. Culture. 



Until within a very recent period the national value and 

 importance of fruit culture have not received that attention their 

 merits warrant. The consequence is that thousands of worth- 

 less varieties are occupying ground that could be far more 

 remuneratively employed. In the gardens 'of both rich and poor, 

 as well as in large and small orchards, this plethora of varieties 

 is much in evidence throughout the whole country, and in the 

 interests of both producer and consumer of fruit, it is high time 

 that cultivators should exercise the greatest care in the selection 

 of the varieties they plant, and that those selected are of the 

 very best. These remarks apply alike to the private and the 

 market grower, as it must be palpable to all that a small collection 

 of any kind of fruit in those varieties which are known to possess 

 high quality, good appearance, and a fruitful habit, are far 

 more satisfactory than a multitude of sorts, many of which are 

 practically worthless. In the following pages we shall endeavour 

 to indicate which are the best varieties of each kind of fruit, 

 both for home consumption and for market purposes, giving 

 brief hints on their cultivation on different soils, and their general 

 routine management. For convenience of reference, each kind 

 of fruit is placed in alphabetical order. 



