198 
Fruit-growing for Profit. 
working man in country districts need be without a plot of land. 
Having obtained the much coveted land, it is of the highest import- 
ance that the holders should be well informed as to the best systems 
of cropping it, and the most approved methods of management. 
Mr. Wright, in his prize essay, shows, by convincing instances, that 
fruit-growing pays small land occupiers remarkably well if it is 
properly conducted. He then goes on to describe by clear and 
feasible demonstration the measures and means to be adopted to 
ensure success. 
Most farm labourers, and other labourers residing on the con 
fines of towns where their work lies, have gardens with their cottages. 
Frequently the space is most limited, but, as Mr. Wright points 
out, there is room enough for a fruit tree or two, or for a few fruit 
bushes in most of them ; and if well attended to, these will prove 
an important source of income. In fruit-growing localities cottagers 
with an apple tree or two, or a cherry tree, or a few plum trees, or 
damson trees, having, perhaps, gooseberry or currant bushes set 
under them, look to their fruit to pay their rent, or, at least, to 
produce enough to go a good way towards this. Even among these 
latter holders, though they live and move and have their being 
among fruit trees, there is considerable ignorance, which Mr. Wright's 
essay would tend to dispel. To those whose lot is not cast amid 
orchards and fruit plantations, who are ignorant, it may be, of the 
first principles of fruit culture, this wcrk would be invaluable. 
To give an example of " what can be accomplished by persevering 
effort with the provision wisely made in the form of fruit trees and 
bushes," Mr. Wright cites the case of a labouring man, earning 
from twelve to fifteen shillings per week", who had a garden of about 
the eighth of an acre in extent. This garden contained eight or 
nine apple trees, some of which he grafted with improved sorts. 
Under these were planted as many gooseberry and currant bushes 
and raspberry canes as possible, and strawberry plants on the 
margins. " This man died at the age of fifty, but left his widow in 
a position to open a small shop, and by carrying on the work he 
initiated she brought up her family, and orphan grandchildren as 
well, without any assistance." 
Several other examples are given showing the importance of 
fruit production to small holders, and the plans and arrangements 
of typical gardens are detailed. Upon one plot of an eighth of an 
acre more than half was devoted to vegetables, yet there were on 
the other part six plum trees, six apple trees, two pear trees, eighty 
gooseberry and currant bushes, two long rows of raspberry canes, 
and marginal beds of strawberries. 
After these striking illustrations Mr. Wright goes on to describe 
the best modes of treating each kind of fruit tree, fruit bush and 
plant suitable for small holdings. Raising, planting, pruning, 
manuring, and cultivating are explained in the most practical 
manner. Pruning is made as clear as possible by elaborate figures of 
steins, spurs, buds, and branches of fruit trees and bushes. Grafting 
and packing are also dealt with. In short, the essay is a complete 
