5 i6 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



of the water and hang gracefully over the pool, and such a tree is very beautiful, either 

 in June with its large white and blush cupped flowers, or in October with its golden 

 fruit, which the cook- will utilise for various purposes. If the garden is of sufficient 

 extent a Black Mulberry should be planted ; if possible a low standard, as that form is 

 less liable to breakage when the tree gets old. 



In growth the Mulberry is not elegant, as its foliage is large and lumpy, but its 

 rigid outline can be used as a contrast when surrounded by upright or slender-growing trees, 

 such as the Acacias, Mountain Ash, Silver Birch, or cut-leaved Beech. For early spring 

 blossom and autumn fruit combined there are no better subjects than the John Downie and 

 Dartmouth Crabs. The former is best as a standard, as its numerous long oval fruits cause 

 the tree to weep, and when ripe, in September, they present a rich appearance, as the tree 

 bears profusely. The Dartmouth Crab is better as a pyramidal tree, when it should be 

 pruned hard for two or three years and then be allowed to extend itself. The fruits are 

 large, and assume a rich dark Mulberry colour when ripe, covered with a dense bloom. 

 They are handsome on the trees, as also when used for table decoration. 



Near the 

 sea, or along the 

 S o u t h e r n a n d 

 Western Coasts of 

 Britain, the 

 Cher r y P I u m , 

 or Myrobelle bears 

 fruit, and is hardy 

 in Britain. Its 

 snowy white blos- 

 soms greet us in 

 F e b r u a r y a n d 

 March, along with 

 the Blackthorn, 

 giving us a wel- 

 come foretaste of 

 spring, and if the 

 flowering season is 

 propitious fruit fre- 

 q u e n t ly sets. 

 There are trees 

 with red and yellow 

 fruits, both very 

 handsome, and I 

 find when they are 

 grafted with scions 

 from free - bearing 

 trees they produce 

 fruit more freely 

 than seedlings. An 

 example i n m y 

 nursery, with both 

 red and yell o w 

 fruits on the same 

 tree, is interesting 

 and profitable. 



A PATTERN OF WISE PRUNING, SHIRLEY VICARAGE, 



