8 
CURRANS’ J.TST OR FRUITS. 190S9. 
Sutton Coldfield. 
The Apple Trees I ordered arrived here all safe last night. 
I have just planted them. They are grand clean-grown plants, 
and beautifully rooted. I have no doubt they will all do well. 
H. Harlond. 
Brief JMotes on Fruit Culture. 
LAND PREPARATION. — Too much attention cannot be given to 
this important matter, and unless properly attended to success cannot be 
the result. Where it is proposed to plant largely we would suggest a 
shallow trench, thoroughly breaking up the surface and crossing to 
the depth of about 6 inches, and finally stirring to a depth of a foot or 15 
inches. By this method the subsoil is not brought to the surface. 
The work may be done by a horse plough ; turn up the land 8 to 10 
inches deep and follow with a subsoil plough. When manual labour is 
employed, a trench il ft. deep is sufficient, keeping the surface soil on the 
surface, merely breaking up the subsoil. 
PLANT 1 NG. — The season for planting commences in Autumn, (should 
climatic influence be favourable), and continues till March, if the 
season is favourable, it might even be extended to early April ; we advise 
commencing as soon as possible in the early Autumn. In the case of Fruit 
Trees great care should be taken not to bury the roots too deeply. It is a 
mistake too often made, and consequently a drawback to the success of the 
tree. A good rule may be adopted by planting up to the mark on the 
stem where grown in the nursery, generally about 4 or 5 inches deep. 
Assuming that the ground has been properly prepared, a hole should 
be dug out as near as possible 3 feet square by 2 to 2I feet deep, the roots 
carefully spread out before filling in the loam, which should be firmly 
pressed around the roots, and in the case of Standards a stout stake should 
be used and the tree securely fastened. If planted on grass land, cut up 
the top turf and well mix with the subsoil. 
D I STANCES. — Standards we advise being planted 24 to 25 feet apart. 
This distance is now recognised as being the most satisfactory, especially 
where the fruit is to be grown for market, because the distances between 
allows such small fruits as Gooseberries, Currants, Strawberries, etc., to be 
grown between the rows, which at once begin to give a return. 
Bushes or Pyramids should be planted 9 or 10 feet apart. Espalier- 
Trained Trees should be allowed a distance of about 20 feet, especially in 
the case of Apples, Plums, and Pears. Fan-Trained Trees, particularly 
Peaches, Apricots, and Nectarines, also Cherries, should have about 14 or 
15 feet, or even 20 feet. Cordons on fences or walls give about 2 feet 
space. 
MANURING. — When land intended to be planted is in a poor in- 
fertile condition, it is desirable to prepare it when possible, by growing lor 
a year or two well manured crops. Only a moderate amount of manure 
should be used when the trees are planted, it is far preferable to give a 
mulching on the surface, this tends to keep the temperature and moisture 
of the soil equable, and at the same time induces surface rooting. Never 
place manure at the bottom of the hole when planting, it tends to 
develop root growth downwards, and this is not desirable. 
Should good Farm yard manure be scarce, a good dressing for orchards 
is the following, being varied to suit the conditions of the soils. In the 
