THE COMMERCIAL ASPECT OF HARDY FRUIT GROWING. 287 
Gooseberries, Black and Red Currants, Raspberries, Plums, 
Cherries, and Nuts, and of these at least two — viz. Pears and 
Cherries — are practically restricted to so few localities, or are so 
uncertain, that they hardly come within the scope of general 
market culture. In a very few instances Peaches and Nectarines 
pay for the attention they receive, but this is only where private 
gardens have been devoted to commercial purposes, and where 
there are good walls and healthy, well-trained trees to start with ; 
so that these will not demand further notice. 
Apples constitute by far the most important hardy fruit crop, 
but their value is not sufficiently recognised. They are in con- 
stant demand, they cover a long season, and it is only the early 
and soft-fruited varieties that have to be "rushed" into the 
market; the majority can be kept in excellent condition and at 
small expense for months, thus adapting the sale to the grower's 
convenience or the state of the markets. Firm maincrop or late- 
keeping Apples are the safest to grow with a prospect of ensuring 
an increasing return. 
Dwarf trees on the Paradise stock become productive in four 
or five years from the budding or grafting, and will continue 
bearing under good cultivation and in favourable soils for twenty 
or thirty years. They are easily cleansed if infected with insects, 
the labour of gathering is reduced to a minimum, and, what is 
even more important, the trees are less damaged in gathering 
the fruit, or by the wind. The value of dwarf Apple trees has 
been abundantly proved in market gardens, fruit farms, and 
private gardens, and if the fruit-growing of the future is to be 
rendered a profitable business there is no doubt that this form of 
tree will constitute the mainstay of the industry. Many who 
have planted, tried, and proved their advantages are extending 
their plantations, and no better indication is needed that results 
are satisfactory. 
If it is desired to try standard Apples, the few required per 
acre, at 20 or 30 feet apart (108 and 48 respectively), will not 
add very greatly to the expense, nor will they reduce the number 
of dwarf trees materially ; but it is only advisable in the case of 
land held on a long lease, or which is being cultivated by the 
owner. To have to wait six or seven, or in some instances even ten 
years, before the returns are remunerative is not what men depen- 
dent on the produce of the land fgr tbeii: living am affgrcl to do. 
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