94 
Hints on Vegetable and Fruit Farming. 
over every year or two, and any superfluous shoots cut away, to 
keep the middle of the tree from being crowded by crossing or 
interlacing boughs. Stakes must be put to the young trees at 
once to prevent them from being moved by the wind ; the trees 
must be protected by wisps of straw or rags, from injury by the 
cutting of the strings tied round them, and should be carefully 
examined every year to see that the strings are not too tight. 
Protection from cattle, sheep, and rabbits, is most essential. 
Not half enough attention is paid to this and other details. If 
a tree is barked by animals in the least degree, it generally 
cankers and is unhealthy. Where no cattle are grazed, cages of 
Fig. 1. — Uliistratioa of a protedinfj Fence to a Fruit-tree. 
galvanised wire of a fine mesh put round the trees about 4 feet 
high and 8 inches in diameter, at a very small cost, will serve to 
keep off sheep and rabbits. A fence against cattle and horses may 
be made by driving split fence-rails cut into " slats," or lengths 
of 8 feet, and to 2 inches in thickness and width, into the 
ground, and fastening them at the top with braces, according 
to the appended figure (Fig. 1). The pieces should be creo- 
soted, as all posts and parts of fencing that go into the ground 
upon farms should be, and with care they will last pretty well 
until the tree is out of danger. Good trees can be purchased at 
about 4/. 5a'. per 100 ; but fruit-planters should not mind a little 
