26 
THE FRUIT CULTIVATOR. 
REVIEWS. 
ARTICLE IX.—THE FRUIT CULTIVATOR, 
Being a Practical and Accurate Description of all the most esteemed Species and Varieties of 
Fruit, cultivated in the Gardens and Orchards of Britain. 
BY JOHN ROGERS, 
Nurseryman. — 12mo .—384 Pages. —-6s.— London , 1834. 
This excellent little work contains the description of nearly five 
hundred species and varieties of Orchard and Garden fruits; nearly 
all of which have been propagated and cultivated by the writer him¬ 
self, or under his immediate inspection. He has, during a long life 
of varied and active employment, made and kept notes of the results 
of his practice; and which he nowin his eighty-third year, laysbefore 
the public. 
This book differs from many others which have preceded it, chiefly 
in this, that whereas former works only give general directions as 
regards the management of different species, this enters into minute 
details, not only respecting the species, but of every variety and 
subvariety which the author has found to be worth cultivation; and 
nothing is advanced which he cannot vouch for truth. He has em¬ 
ployed the plainest language, as he disapproves of the use of botanical 
or scientific terms in the descriptions of fruit, or of any matter rela¬ 
tive to the culture. And we can safely recommend it to the use of 
every young gardener in particular, and to experienced gardeners in 
general, who will find in it some very useful and instructive hints— 
We quote as follows:— 
“Of the Soil most Suitable for Apple Trees .—The successful cul¬ 
ture of the apple depends very much on the suitableness of the ground 
they are planted in. The size and flavour of the fruit, the general 
health and duration of trees, is most commonly the result of good or 
bad soil. Climate and situation also effect both trees and fruit; but 
not in the degree in which the same are affected by the qualities 
predominant in the land. Of all the different descriptions of soil to 
be met with in these kingdoms, that of a soft hazehloam, containing 
a small portion of sand, seems to be the most congenial to the apple 
generally. In such soil the tree is seen to flourish longest, is most 
productive, and remains freest from disease or attack of insects. A 
great depth is not requisite; eighteen or twenty inches being quite 
enough, provided it be on a dry subsoil of chalk or loose rock. If 
the bottom be wet, the trees should be planted high, and every means 
' taken to drain the ground. A wet bottom of gravelly clay should be 
