2 



THE OECHAED AKD FKUIT GAEDEN. 



without fruit trees, and why ground, where they would 

 grow, thrive, and produce, is often devoted to trees 

 which are not more ornamental than they, and which 

 entirely lack their utility. I scarcely like to see even 

 an ornamental flowering shrub or tree occupying a fine 

 wall which might be utilized in the production of good 

 stone fruit or pears, with very little loss on the score of 

 decoration ; but this is merely a matter of fancy. 



" Be aye sticking in a tree," was the Scottish Laird's 

 instruction to his heir, " it will be growing, Jock, when 

 ye're sleeping," and " be aye putting in a fruit tree," I 

 echo, after trying the plan with five different residences, 

 situated in various localities, soils, and climates, occupied 

 and tested during the last quarter of a century . 



An outcry against a man for selfishness^ because he 

 shows an unwillingness to plant trees in ground not his 

 own, is hardly fair, since few wish to practise unsolicited 

 bestowal of property on unknown recipients ; but as a 

 matter affecting personal remuneration, it is not neces- 

 sary or prudent to avoid planting because we may have 

 no permanent or lengthened hold on the land we 

 occupy. If our tenure expire soon or unexpectedly, we 

 tave, I believe, the right by law to remove trees within 

 three years of the time of planting them, and when they 

 Tiave been planted more than that time, those which 

 have been chosen, planted, and managed with judgment, 

 will already have made a fair return on outlay and work. 

 A well-managed tree will within a very few years of the 

 time of planting prove a capital investment, and one the 

 interest^ of which will continually increase for many 

 jears; I therefore very strongly recommend all who 

 own or rent a bit of ground, to plant trees; if the tenure 

 be given up soon, the trees can be removed, and the 

 removal will do them no harm ; and if they are held for 

 from three to a dozen years, they will in that time make 

 a much better return than any other crop which can be 

 grown. 



If the tenure be short or uncertain, fruits which will 

 make an early return may be planted, — such as apples, 

 gooseberries, currants, raspberries, strawberries, and 



