284 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
In Ireland there are only two districts of any consequence, 
and these of small area, where fruit-growing has been established 
on a proper basis. One is in x\rinagh, and the other in the 
Fingal district near Drogheda. The last named is the more 
satisfactory both as regards the system of culture adopted, the 
condition of the plantations, and the return realised. Still there 
are hundreds of acres in Ireland equally well adapted for fruit 
culture as the Fingal district, but where the land is either 
occupied with poor vegetable crops or with old useless trees 
covered with moss and lichen. 
As to special centres of cultivation for particular crops, 
perhaps the most remarkable is afforded by the Strawberry 
regions near Swanley, in Kent, and Botley, in Hampshire, At 
the latter place about 300 acres are almost exclusively devoiied 
to this fruit. Enormous quantities of fruit are despatched from 
this part, as can be judged from the fact that in one week no less 
than 200 tons have been forwarded by train. From Swanley 
over COO tons have been despatched in one month. 
Conditions Essential to Success. 
If anyone is about to grow an acre or two of fruit as a 
part of mixed cultivation, and expects to have more produce than 
can be disposed of in his own immediate ncighbourhoocl, yet not 
sufficient to pay for sending long distances, it is important that 
the situation chosen be within a moderate distance of one or 
more large towns easily reached by road or rail. For more 
extended cultivation proximity to a railway station is of the 
ftrst importance, and preferably to one on a main lino, so that 
populous centres may be reached either north or south. 
Soil. — The ideal soil is a fertile loam on a porous subsoil. 
This is not always obtainable, but that which is exceedingly 
light and poor, or clayey, cold, and water-logged, sliould bo 
avoided. From such land satisfactory results cannot be expected; 
but there arc many intermediate soils that under suitable 
cultivation can bo rendered profitable. 
Aspect.— A great assistance in this direction is a favourable 
aspect, especially wliere early produce is desired. ]\[any growers 
in the home counties are gaining good profits from a moderate 
oxtcnt of ordinary land which is citjjcr shpltcrcd from \iQon 
