164 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



be picked up at sales, but they do not pay in the long run. It 

 is impossible to be too particular in selecting good stocks for 

 planting, and growers seldom realise the loss they sustain by 

 the death of even one tree after it has been planted four or five 

 years, and should be by that time well established and just 

 coming into profit. Half- standard Plum-trees are undoubtedly 

 the best — i.e. with stems about 3 to 4 feet high ; they require 

 no stakes, are easily pruned, and the fruit can be gathered with- 

 out long ladders. In fact, in big seasons we employ a large 

 number of women to pick the fruit from the half-standards and 

 low trees ; this is an enormous advantage. If it is intended not 

 to lay down the land to pasture, half- standards of Apples and 

 Pears are also preferable. As soon as the trees arrive from the 

 nurseryman they should be carefully heeled in for fear of frost, 

 great care being taken that the different sorts are kept separate. 

 Good-sized holes, at least 3 feet in diameter, should have been 

 dug ready for the trees before they arrive. In planting care 

 must be taken not to plant too deep, and the collar of the tree 

 should be kept just above ground, some of the top soil being 

 used to fill in round the roots. On no account should a lot of 

 manure be put into the holes with the trees, as this only 

 encourages rank growth. If half-standards are planted, no 

 stakes will be necessary, which saves a heavy item in expense. 

 In staking standard trees the stakes should be driven in 9 inches 

 from the tree, straw bands made of wheat straw being used to 

 secure the tree to the stake. The straw bands can be made in 

 wet weather in the sheds ; the straw is drawn out and twisted 

 by taking an end in each hand ; after it is twisted tightly in this 

 way it will remain twisted and ready for use. In putting it on, 

 it is first put round the tree, then round the stake, the two ends 

 being brought back towards the tree, all being tightly bound 

 round between the tree and the stake with cocoa-nut fibre string. 

 This method of tying the tree to the stakes is the best, and the 

 trees never get rubbed. The bands should either be renewed 

 each year, or moved a few inches up or down the stem of the 

 tree ; if this is not done injury will result. If possible, the stakes 

 should be creosoted at the bottom (say 2J feet up) ; a great 

 number can be done at a time by standing them upright in the 

 tank, and they will then last for years. Many trees are killed 

 by bad staking, and too much care cannot be taken to keep the 



