ON FRUIT CULTURE. 



I02 I 



severely during the winter pruning, and no doubt they could 

 defend their policy ; but in these days cultivation is carried on at 

 express speed, and it is remarkable how quickly a tree may be 

 developed into a large and fruitful object by adopting what is 

 termed the "extension" system. In this method very little 

 cutting back is practised — only what is absolutely necessary to 

 keep the tree in form — the aim of the grower being to cover as 

 much wall space in as little time as possible with good, solid, 

 well-ripened wood. In this way big trees that will produce a 

 large crop of fine fruit are obtained in a few years. 



In our fickle climate some kind of protection is necessary 

 when the Nectarines are in blossom, especially if the flowers are 

 at all damp, for they are then much sooner injured by frost 

 than when perfectly dry. Ordinary fish-netting, doubled or trebled 

 in thickness, and hung from the top of the wall, and ift. or 2ft. 

 from the trees, affords great protection ; scrim canvas, calico, 

 Frigi Domo, and tiffany are also excellent. The glass copings, 

 that project about 2ft., are very serviceable, but whatever is 

 employed no coddling should be permitted, and no covering 

 be used unless really required to protect from frost. Much 

 harm is done by mistaken zeal in covering the trees in all 

 weathers while in blossom. In fact the object of the grower 

 is defeated, as the air and light requisite to secure the distribution 

 of the pollen and a good set of fruit are prevented by the shade 

 made by the protecting material. 



In warm localities and against a south wall the new Early 

 Rivers is one of the earliest and best of Nectarines to plant ; 

 it possesses a good constitution in addition to being a free bearer 

 of fruits of excellent flavour. A still later new early variety is 

 Cardinal, a splendid sort for culture under glass, but uncertain 

 outside ; it is likely to prove valuable for early forcing. Lord 

 Napier is well known as a sterling variety for outside culture, 

 being early, large, handsome, of fairly good flavour, and an 

 abundant bearer. Goldoni is another early sort, of great excel- 

 lence in every respect, and follows the two last-named in order 

 of ripening. Dryden is a mid-season variety, very handsome, of 

 delicious flavour, a free bearer, and with a strong, vigorous habit ; 

 it can be highly recommended. Elruge is such a well-known 

 and excellent variety, that scarcely any praise of it is needed ; 

 like the last-named, it is a mid-season sort. Humboldt is a very 

 fine successor to Elruge ; it is a hardy and prolific variety, of 

 fine colour and flavour. Pineapple is probably the richest- 

 flavoured variety in cultivation ; when planted in good soil and 

 in a warm, sunny position, the fruit is large and of a beautiful 

 colour, and the tree is a great cropper. Spencer and Victoria 

 are two very late sorts : the former is a reliable variety on most 

 soils, and of good quality ; the latter is first-rate in every respect 

 on some soils, and a complete failure on others, and for that 



