974 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Apples. 



No fruit is so extensively grown (or even so largely im- 

 ported) as the Apple, and it may justly claim the title of. 

 " King of British Fruits," being accommodating enough to keep 

 practically all the year round, and also growing and fruiting 

 more or less freely over the whole of the kingdom. Because of 

 its wxU-known success in so many diverse parts of the country, 

 some have looked upon the Apple as a tree that will fruit 

 almost anywhere, and have acted accordingly by planting it in 

 wet, undrained positions more suited to Willows or to Alders. 

 The ground for all fruit-trees should be drained if the natural 

 drainage is imperfect, especially if the soil is heavy and cold. 

 Drainage renders the soil friable, as w^ell as cool in summer and 

 and warm in winter. It cannot be too widely known that 

 stagnant water is fatal to good results in fruit culture, and 

 Apple-trees planted in badly-drained soil become preys to lichen, 

 insect, and other pests, until at last they die, never having borne 

 as many Apples as would pay for their first cost. 



Circumstances, of course, must determine not only the position 

 or aspect, but also the most suitable form of tree, mode of 

 planting, and the best varieties for the district. Many gentle- 

 men's seats are high and exposed to gales, until forest trees 

 that have been planted to give shelter have attained sufficient 

 height to break the violence of the wind. In such cases bush 

 or dwarf trees are the most suitable ; but if the place is 

 already formed and not much exposed to rough wdnds, standard 

 trees could be planted in the park or grounds, shrubberies, 

 &c., W'here they would produce a charming effect when in 

 blossom, and be of great service in filling the fruit-room in 

 the autumn. Very much indeed may be accomplished at a 

 trifling cost by the employment of fruit-trees to produce effect, 

 the only outlay being the purchase and planting of the trees, 

 and their protection afterwards from rabbits or cattle. 



In the garden only bush, pyramid, or trained Apple-trees 

 ought to be grown. The standards or half-standards are not only 

 too large, but they shade too much of the ground, making 

 it impossible to grow vegetables near them. The bush is one 

 of the best forms of all, as it is of a pleasing shape, and as a 

 rule bears good and regular crops. The pyramid is a formal tree, 

 and the close pruning necessary to keep it in correct shape is not 

 the best mode of obtaining good crops. 'Espaliers produce fine 

 handsome fruit, but a number of years is required to make 

 well-proportioned trees. The same applies to all the various forms 

 of fancy trained trees, and they cannot be recommended for 

 general utility. Cordons may, however, be excepted, as they 

 may be utilised in many ways, as indicated under their 

 heading. 



