CHAPTER IX 



THE GROWING OF THE FRUIT PLANTS 



Fruits should be counted a regular part of the home prem- 

 ises. There are few residence plots so small that fruits of some 

 kind cannot be grown. If there is no opportunity for planting 

 the orchard fruits by themselves at regular intervals, there are 

 still boundaries to the place, and along these boundaries and 

 scattered in the border masses, apples, pears, and other fruits 

 may be planted. 



It is not to be expected that fruits will thrive as well in these 

 places as in well-tilled orchards, but something can be done, and 

 the results are often very satisfactory. Along a back fence or 

 walk, one may plant a row or two of currants, gooseberries, or 

 blackberries, or he may make a trellis of grapes. If there are 

 no trees near the front or back of the border, the fruit plants 

 may be placed close together in the row and the greatest de- 

 velopment of the tops may be allowed to take place laterally. 

 If one has a back yard fifty feet on a side, there will be oppor- 

 tunity, in three borders, for six to eight fruit trees, and 

 bush-fruits between, without encroaching greatlj^ on the lawn. 

 In such cases, the trees are planted just inside the boundary 

 line. 



A suggestion for the arrangement of a fruit garden of one acre 

 is given in Fig. 270. Such a plan allows of continuous cultiva- 

 tion in one direction and facilitates spraying, pruning, and 

 harvesting; and the intermediate spaces may be used for the 

 growing of annual crops, at least for a few years. 



408 



