496 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



cross-pollination by wind-agency and insects. In laying-out and plant- 

 ing an orchard, then, this great factor in its future fortune must be 

 taken into account. Any inconvenience that may arise from so doing 

 will be far outbalanced by its good results. 



With the land planted, the " making of a fruit-farm " may be said 

 to be completed ; afterwards comes ' ' maintenance, ' ' and then the 

 " marketing " — and these are other stories. 



Within the limit of a single lecture it is hardly possible to treat a 

 subject like the making of a fruit-farm " in anything but a sketchy 

 manner. There are so many principles and practices, so many points 

 and opinions, embraced in the subject — most of which are important 

 enough to be subject-matter themselves for books, to say nothing of 

 lectures — that elaboration has not been attempted. I have confined 

 myself to an effort to show that there are many things to be taken 

 into serious consideration when contemplating the making of a fruit- 

 farm, and much to be done before a fruit-farm is made; pointing out 

 what is of paramount importance, and giving some idea as to how it 

 should be done. 



Thoroughness is the keynote to success — knowing what to do that 

 is essential to be done, and doing it thoroughly. The means for knowing 

 what to do are yearly improving in this country ; channels for distri- 

 buting practical information and reliable technical assistance are 

 multiplyin,g. This progress is especially marked in this very year, by 

 the meeting of a long-felt want in the establishment of a " Branch " 

 at the Board of Agriculture, whose duties are exclusively concerned 

 with the interests of horticulture. This official recognition of the import- 

 ance of horticultural industries, if tardy, is very welcome. The new 

 Branch must be of great use and benefit to every line of business in 

 horticulture — to none more so than the business of fruit-growing. Its 

 potentialities for usefulness are very great, and will extend as the calls 

 upon its services increase. The outlook for the fruit-growing industry 

 in England is brighter than ever it has been before, and there is 

 certainly encouragement in the existing state of affairs to those who 

 have made or who are thinking of " making a fruit-farm in England." 



