The Cultivation of Fruits 
139 
If there be a heavy set of fruit, it should be thinned 
out, as it is always better to have a smaller quantity of 
good fruit than an abundance of that which is of inferior 
quality. One fruit to every square foot of the tree is 
considered a satisfactory crop. 
As time goes on, the thinning of the shoots may be 
necessary, to allow both wood and fruit to ripen properly, 
those not needed being cut back to within 2 in. ol the 
base, and the others “tied in”. When the fruit begins to 
ripen, a net may be fixed at the bottom of the tree and 
spread out to catch any that may fall, thus preventing 
bruising. In dry seasons a mulching of rough manure 
may be laid round the trees, and copious supplies of water 
given at intervals, as the border for growing Peaches must 
be well drained, and they will consequently suffer readily 
from drought. 
The Apricot is not so often met with in our gardens as 
it might be. Its culture is not thoroughly understood. It 
should be planted in a good, deep, loamy soil which is well 
drained. It should be planted against a wall, where the 
extra heat will be found beneficial in ripening the fruit, 
and also the wood for the following season’s fruiting. It 
succeeds best when planted on a south-western or western 
wall, and should be trained on the fan system. The tree 
comes into blossom early in the spring, and careful watch 
Varieties — 
Dr. Hogg 
Early Rivers 
Gladstone 
Hales’s Early 
Royal George 
Stirling Castle 
THE APRICOT 
