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REMARKS ON THE DWARFING OF FRUIT-TREES. 
REMARKS ON THE DWARFING OF FRUIT-TREES. 
By Mr. Robert Errington, Oulton Parle. 
In former days it was the custom to attempt the dwarfing of Fruit-Trees chiefly in order 
to render them more ornamental, or to produce grotesques forms, to which the vulgar 
imparted imaginary characteristics, on account of their mere eccentricity. 
Now, however, it has become absolutely necessary to systematise a dwarfing system for 
other purposes. In the first place, the immense increase in fruits of superior character 
— which in many parts of the kingdom deserve a wall — has been so great, that since walls 
could by no possibility be found for them, the inventive faculties of Horticulturists have 
been taxed severely, in order to adopt some mode of culture, which shall guarantee to 
them an amount of atmospheric heat superior to that of the ordinary standard, or 
Orchard Tree. 
It has, moreover, been proved beyond all question, that a dwarfing system, when 
properly carried out, is highly conducive to precocity in point of fructification ; it conse- 
quently leads to great economy of space — a matter of the very highest import to the 
cultivators of small gardens in the vicinity of our busy towns, many of whom are amongst 
the most ardent of our cultivators. 
Again, it is of the utmost importance to persons thus situated, so to arrange their 
limited gardens, that a full amount of vegetable produce may not be lost sight of. This, it 
is well known, is accomplished in the most perfect way, by a dwarfing system in fruits 
whereas, by the old plan of encouraging standards, or coarse overgrown trees, few 
vegetables were brought to that perfection of which they are capable ; indeed I have 
frequently known gardens so smothered, that scarcely a well-grown cabbage could be 
obtained in a perfect state. Lettuces, peas, and indeed most other culinary crops, will be 
found “ drawn,” as it is termed, by practical men; and not only deteriorated in size, but 
in flavour and nutritious qualities. 
There has in later years been a great increase in those interesting little suburban 
plots, termed amateurs’ gardens ; a great many of these are either wrought in part by the 
proprietor himself, or at least under his superintendence. Many of the owners of such 
gardens are occupied most of the day in matters of trade ; and the pleasures of Horti- 
culture are of course enjoyed with a peculiar zest when a leisure moment occurs. To 
such a dwarfing system of fruit-culture is invaluable, combining, as it does, the advantages 
before enumerated, together with little matters of manipulation of a light character, and 
exceedingly interesting to those who seek relief to the mind from the dull mechanical 
tedium of commercial affairs. 
Such gardens, it is well known, are for the most part severely limited as to space ; yet, 
by a systematic procedure in regard of fruits, it is astonishing what a collection may be 
compressed within the limits of one of these recreative homesteads; in fact, a very 
excellent miniature collection within an enclosure of a quarter of an acre. 
great to little men,” according to the old saying; and these 
1 
Little things are 
miniature matters, although it may be of a trivial character in the estimation of those who 
do things by wholesale, yet are conducive to the health and happiness of thousands, pro- 
ducing their daily quota to the gastronomic delights of the household, and feelings of a 
much higher character to those who “ look through Nature up to Nature’s God.” 
The ornamental character, too, of a system of dwarfed fruits, although a matter 
certainly second in importance to their utility, is not to be lost sight of entirely. 
A little garden possessing a miniature collection of fruits and well-grown vegetables 
is indeed a multum-in-parvo affair : it shows forth at a single glance the triumph which 
the collective experience of many, very many, years, aided by the lights of science, has at 
last accomplished, and furnishes a hint even to our brethren of the plough, of what may 
be done by perseverance ; and that it is not merely the number of acres a man possesses, 
