532 National Fruit and Cider Institute, [dec, 



year or two, when manure could be used as a top-dressing. 

 Potatoes were planted as a catch-crop to get the soil cleaned 

 of weeds. 



The standards were first placed in position at 30 ft. apart, 

 diagonally. Stakes of pickled larch, 7 ft. 6 in. long by 4 in. 

 by 2 in., were driven in and the trees planted to them. After- 

 wards it was comparatively easy to get the distances for the 

 dwarfs or pyramids, which filled up the ground at 10 ft. apart ; 

 the gooseberries, &c, filling up to 5 ft. Then a row of straw- 

 berries was planted alternately with the other rows, or 5 ft. 

 apart and 2 ft. in rows. The method of planting can be seen 

 in the illustration on the preceding page. 



All the apples and pears, as well as the bush fruits, were 

 obtained from one nursery, to give them all the same opportunity 

 from the commencement. The strawberries were obtained from 

 specialists, and, as they could not be planted till the last spring, 

 were not allowed to fruit this year. Of these fruits only a few 

 varieties are being tested, but they are those best known and 

 most generally grown in the district. 



The growth of nearly all the trees, large and small, has been 

 good this year. Some of the apples, such as Lane's, Suffields, 

 And King of the Pippins, were allowed to carry a few fruit each. 

 The cordons form a row at one side of the driving way, and, as 

 they have grown strongly, every other one will be root-pruned 

 this season to test the effect on the future growth and fruit- 

 fulness. The standards were four years, the dwarfs two years, and 

 the cordons one year old from the bud or graft when planted. 



Another half-acre is ready for planting this season. It will 

 take a larger number of varieties of apples, only one row of 

 each variety being used. More raspberries and gooseberries 

 will also go in, as well as blackberries and logan berries. 



To make the work of the department as educational as 

 possible, the Managing Committee have arranged to take 

 working pupils, who should come for at least one year, and 

 who will have the opportunity of gaining a practical knowledge 

 of orchard, nursery, and plantation work out of doors, and, if 

 they wish, of cider-making indoors. Full particulars may be 

 had from the Secretary, but those who wish to come must 

 make up their minds to be " working" pupils. 



John Ettle. 



