28 
by tlie caterer for the London market, and is, therefore, 
treated with corresponding respect by the grower, whose 
method of operation differs widely from the common¬ 
place rule of letting-the-tree-grow-as-it-will, that is found 
to prevail where but a few plants are grown, and as 
success has established the system, we may be assured 
that any system diametrically opposite must be bad. 
This fruit, though not necessarily grown alone, is yet 
often found so, and, undoubtedly, is better where not en¬ 
cumbered by high trees overtopping it. If planted 
alone, it is usually allowed a space of twelve feet square, 
which is not too much, although ten is at times made to 
do; the plants are usually put in what is called the 
square plant and not quincunx, and, at planting time, 
Gooseberries or Currants are usually put in between, to 
occupy, for a few years, the vacant ground; these latter, j 
forming three for one of the Filberts, but are cut away 
and removed as the permanent trees advance; they, 
however, act the part of profitable nurses, and their 
pruning, &c., is the same as when they form a plantation 
by themselves. Hops are sometimes introduced for the 
same purpose, but these are not available to any other 
class but the hop-grower, who, most likely, has a quantity 
elsewhere, but small fruits are legitimate everywhere. 
In planting, plants are selected which show indica¬ 
tions of forming nice spreading heads, at less than a 
foot from the ground; and neglected plants, that have 
assumed an upright tree-like habit, seldom make good 
specimens, for, though they grow away apace after being 
cut down, yet it is only in gross, useless wood, whence 
the object of the Filbert-grower to have his shoots of 
uniform strength, and all grossness is curbed as much as 
possible ; this is done at pruning time, by shortening such 
shoots as show an undue robustness, with a small hand¬ 
saw instead of the knife, and the ragged face left by 
that instrument, with, probably, a few splinters, &c., will 
certainly retard a similar growth from taking place there 
another season, while weakly shoots are shortened with 
the sharp knife in the usual way. I confess being not 
a little surprised to find this well-known axiom carried ! 
out into such extreme practice as has been done here; 
but where anything is extensively grown, it is only rea¬ 
sonable to look for the improved modes of culture ; but 
many of our gardening friends would do well to copy the 
knife-and-saw-practice of the Kentish Filbert-pruner, for I 
am convinced that the unequal growth we often see in 
some trees might be much regulated by a judicious use 
of these two implements in their proper places; for 
observe, it is not in the early stages of Filbert culture ; 
that these are used, but at all times they are called into 
requisition; and I know of no fruit-tree in which prun¬ 
ing is carried to such a pitch as in the Filbert, unless it 
be the Vine, and that certainly does not exceed it, for at 
the first commencement the centre of the plant is cut 
out, and branches are trained out vertically, so as in 
some respects to resemble the ribs of an umbrella in¬ 
verted. 
This shape is continued, from year to year, until the 
trees occupy the full space allotted them, and grow into 
each other; even then, the contre of the plant is open, 
and the branches by no means thick, for the young 
shoots which rise in the centre and other parts of the 
tree are all carefully removed, only those of moderate 
growth being shortened, spur fashion, that each season 
the trees present a naked appearance after pruning time, 
so much so, that I verily believe, that if all the young 
wood left on an adult tree was united it would not 
amount to a yard in length. Uniformity in appearance 
is also aimed at, and accomplished, too, so that by the 
time the plantation has arrived at its full growth, the 
trees present a uniform height of about five feet at their 
tips, and the centre, as I have said, open so that the 
sun may shine into the middle of it. In pruning, many 
ot the more robust shoots from the old wood are pulled 
October 13. 
out by hand; these are often four aud five feet long, 
and a coarse kind of market basket is sometimes made 
of them, but they are inferior to willow. The trees, as 
will be seen, give rise to a great deal of employment, 
for besides the pruning, which is done in winter, they 
are also subjected to a process of uncovering at the 
collar, whereby the roots, for about a yard all round, are 
laid bare in autumn, in order to check, or rather frus¬ 
trate, the production of suckers, which it certainly does, 
and I am not aware of the process injuring the tree in 
any way. The earth is returned again in spring, and 
manure is often added, for the Filbert delights in, and 
deserves, a liberal allowance of good food, and few fruits 
are more remunerative; and where this one forms a 
portion of a mixed plantation, it generally yields more 
than might appear its share of the revenue for such 
place; but at the same time it must be confessed, that its 
cultivation, with the heavy and expensive prunings, make 
it rather a hazardous crop, and when not successful, 
the losses attending it are heavy. A return of less than 
£'40 per acre will not pay, while it has been sometimes 
known to yield four times that sum. There are several 
kinds in cultivation, but the Thin-shelled lied Filbert is 
the most esteemed, while the Spanish or Cob Nut have 
their favourites as well; but for private use the latter 
are the most showy, while the former arc, doubtless, the 
sweeter nut, but they arc so well known as to require 
no further comment here. H, J3. 
MALVERN POULTRY SHOW. 
This was excellently managed, and does not require the 
excuse of being “the first,” to extenuate any mistakes. 
Another year we hope the funds will justify second prizes in 
all the classes, and that (told and Silver Hamburghs will he 
separated. No judge, with satisfaction to any party, cau 
compare the two. The same observation applies to Bantams. 
The birds were excellently attended to, and every bird that 
had to travel by rail was away from the show ground within 
three hours after the exhibition closed. The show proved 
profitable, which, as our reporter justly observes, is some¬ 
thing unusual for a first attempt. 
T. J. Cottle, Esq., l’ulteney Villa, Cheltenham, and Mr. 
J. Baily, Mount-street, Grosvenor Square, London, were the 
judges. 
Class 1.—DORKING. Chickens of 1853. 
23. First prize, Mr. William Beach, Hanley Castle. 7 . Second prize, 
Mr. Joseph Smith, Henley-in-Arden. 
Class 2 .—DORKING. More than one year old. 
28. First prize, Mr. John Rain, Henley-in-Arden. 27 . Second prize, 
Mr. Rawson, Walton-on-Thamcs. 
Class 3.—SPANISH. Chickens of 1853. 
45. Prize, Mrs. Stow, Bredon. 
Class 4.—SPANISH, More than one year old. 
48. Prize, Mr. Nelson, The Lozells, Birmingham. 
Class 5.—COCHIN-CHINA. Cinnamon and Buff. Chickens of 1853 . 
101 . Prize, Mr. Edward Farmer, Sparkbrock. 64. Highly commended, 
Mr. Amphlett, Walsall. (The best fowls in the Class, but disqualified 
for taking the prize on account of colour.) 
Class 6.—COCHIN-CHINA. Cinnamon or Buff, more than one year old. 
107 . Prize, Mrs. Stow, Bredon. 
Class 7 .—COCHIN-CHINA. Grouse, Partridge, or Dark. Chickens 
of 1853. 
120 . Prize, Mr. J. R. Rodbard, near Bristol. 
Class 8.—COCHIN-CHINA. Grouse, Partridge, or Dark. More than 
one-year-old. 
129. Prize, Mr. Mapplebeclc, Birmingham. 
Class 9 .—COCHIN-CHINA. White. Chickens of 1853. 
142. Prize, Mr. Hodgkin son, Yardley. 
Class 10.—COCHIN-CHINA. White. More than one year old. 
N° competition. The judges strongly reprehend the practice of sending 
fowls for competition with visible marks. 
Class 11.—GAME. Black-breasted Red. Any age. 
151 , Prize, Mr. B. Williams, Handsworth. 
Class 13.—GAME. Duckwings and others. 
157. Prize, Mr. N. Dyer, Bredon. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
