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THE PEAR WALK, PRESTON HALL, A YLESFORD. 



FRUIT TREES FOR ORNAMENT AND BEAUTY. 

 By George Bunyard, F.R.H.S., V.M.H. 



IT is so generally the custom for fruit trees to be relegated to the kitchen garden or some 

 other out-of-the-way spot that it will appear to many an innovation to mention them 

 in connection with pleasure gardens, lawns, and shrubberies. But they combine so 

 much beauty in their vernal flowers and autumnal fruit, that they can be, and are, 

 made use of by many first-rate amateurs and gardeners to furnish subjects of interest 

 which appear in striking contrast to their surroundings. For instance, in the Shirlev (near 

 Croydon) Vicarage Gardens fruit trees play no inconsiderable part in the general effect 

 presented by that admirably planned and beautiful place, simply because the Rev. W. 

 Wilks, the well-known secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society and Vicar of Shirley, 

 has placed them artistically in their proper positions, and 1 shall take his garden as a text 

 upon which to pen a few words on the possible uses of fruit trees and bushes as ornamental 

 subjects in large or small gardens. Isolated trees should stand, preferably, as a background 

 to shrubberies, a few being dotted on the lawn at its outside boundary (as viewed from 

 the house), and, taking the latter purpose first, a Dutch Medlar should be one; its large 

 white flowers nestling on the rich foliage are very conspicuous, and the natural weeping 

 habit of the sort renders it suitable as a good protection for a garden seat, while its broad 

 and closely-set foliage forms a delieiously cool shade in the summer months, while in 

 autumn its fruits are very acceptable when bletted (ripened) in a cool store, and they 

 also make admirable jelly for game. 



If there is a pond or damp corner on the lawn, a Quince would thrive on the banks 



