Februar}'  22,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
159 
FRUIT  GROWING  in  SOUTH  WESTMORELAND. 
Any  stranger  visiting  Kendal  Market  on  a  Plum  Saturday  morning 
would  be  astonished  to  see  the  long  string  of  carts  full  of  Damsons, 
and  would  naturally  ask  where  and  under  what  conditions  they  are 
produced.  The  answer  would  no  doubt  be,  “You  seem  surprised 
at  the  quantity  of  fruit  here  displayed,  but  this  does  not  represent 
a  tithe  of  what  is  grown  in  the  neighbourhood,  the  majority  being 
sold  growing — to  the  dealers  who  come  from  the  thickly  populated 
districts  of  Yorkshire  and  Lancashire.”  Visitors  to  the  Lake  district 
will  no  doubt  be  acquainted  with  the  route  (by  road)  between  Grange 
and  Bowness  ;  probably  a  more  picturesque  bit  of  country  can  scarcely 
be  found. 
Taking  either  side  of  the  great  limestone  cliff  of  Whitbarrow 
you  find  most  of  the  hedgerows  planted  with  Damsons,  which  ir) 
spring  are  beautiful  in  their  purity  of  white  blossom,  and  in  autumn 
generally  laden  with  handsome  black  frnit.  The  mode  of  propagating 
the  trees  and  the  subsequent  culture  are  of  the  simplest ;  any  elaborate 
preparation  is  looked  upon  as  money  ill  invested.  We  must,  however, 
bear  in  mind  that  the  natural  conditions  seem  in  every  way  exactly 
suited  to  the  requirements  of  the  frees,  with  one  notable  exception — 
Sfring  frosts.  Generally  the  hill  sides  are  planted,  or  properly  speak¬ 
ing  the  hfdgerows  along  the  hill  sides,  and  it  is  with  these  trees  we 
will  deal  first. 
The  young  trees  are  all  grown  from  suckers,  worked  plants 
being  regarded  with  great  disfavour.  Suckers  are  produced  promis¬ 
cuously  all  round  the  older  trees,  and  are  generally  taken  up,  placed 
in  a  small  nursery,  k  -pt  to  one  stem  until  of  suitable  height,  and  then 
allowed  to  branch.  When  a  good  head  is  formed  they  are  pdaced  in 
their  permanent  quarters.  VVhen  finally  planted  (generally  close  to  a 
hedge)  a  pick  is  taken  and  the  surface  of  the  ground  lichtly  loosened, 
the  young  tree  has  its  roots  spread  evenly  over  the  surface,  and  a  cart 
of  soil  follows  from  which  just  sufficient  is  taken  to  cover  the  roots. 
The  tree  is  then  staked  securely,  and  usually  receives  no  more  attention 
until  the  fruit  is  gathered,  although  in  some  cases  the  newly  planted 
trees  are  headed  back  ;  but  opinions  vary  as  to  whether  cuttii^g  back 
is  advantageous  or  the  contrary. 
Simple  as  are  the  methods  of  cultivation,  what  are  the  results  ? 
First,  good  trees  on  their  own  roots,  which  fruit  more  freely  than 
worked  ones;  second,  owing  to  the  roots  of  the  trees  being  kept  near 
the  surface,  sturdy  growth  perfectly  matured  ensues ;  and  third,  a  fair 
profit,  which  enables  the  farmer  to  meet  the  contingencies  of  the 
times. 
Many  persons  will  no  doubt  propose  more  elaborate  prepjarations 
for  the  young  trees,  while  others  will  say.  Why  not  have  worked  trees? 
In  answer  to  the  first,  we  are  told  that  lavish  preparation  of  the  soil 
results  in  strong  immature  growth,  which  does  not  blossom,  and  worked 
trees  often  end  in  failure  because  they  fruit  more  sparsely  than 
those  on  their  own  roots,  and  would  be  ruinous  owing  to  the  much 
larger  stones  that  the  fruits  contain. 
Now  a  word  or  two  as  to  spring  frosts  which  destroy  so  much 
blossom.  I  am  quite  sure  the  majority  of  growers  prefer  a  moderate 
crop  on  their  trees,  and  look  upon  a  bit  of  frost  as  a  blessing  in  disguise. 
A  few  years  ago  the  crop  was  so  plentiful  that  it  could  not  be  sold  at 
6d.  per  score  pounds,  while  when  a  moderate  crop  is  produced  prices 
range  from  3s.  per  score,  and  are  then  remunerative  ;  one  season  as 
high  as  7s.  6d.  was  asked,  and  buyers  were  pleased  to  give  it. 
Many  trees  are  planted  in  the  hedgerows  on  the  mosses.  They 
are  growing  amongst  peat,  but  the  roots  soon  come  into  contact  with 
clay,  which  no  doubt  enables  them  to  obtain  what  is  wanted  during 
the  various  stages  of  growth.  Sandy  warp  also  produces  good  fruit, 
but  undoubtedly  the  best  results  are  obtained  from  trees  planted  at 
higher  altitudes. 
Apples  are  also  grown  in  considerable  quantities.  Many  of  the 
varieties  are  of  local  origin  and  moderate  quality.  Some  growers  have 
come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  newer  Apples  are  superior  to  their  own, 
and  are  accordingly  planting  varieties  of  good  merit,  but  the  majority  are 
content  with  worthless  seedlings,  the  fruit  of  which  is  hard  to  sell 
(retail)  at  ^d.  per  lb.  Many  of  the  Apple  orchards  are  in  a  deplorable 
condition  ;  old  worn-out  stumps  of  trees  infested  with  moss  and 
lichen,  and  while  adding  in  part  to  the  picturesque  scenery,  have 
nothing  to  recommend  them  from  a  monetary  point  of  view.  The 
Westmoreland  County  Council  has  so  far  provided  no  instruction 
in  a  horticultural  sense,  but  some  of  the  landowners  have  recently 
planted  orchards  with  up-to-date  varieties,  which  in  a  short  time  must 
prove  valuable  object-lessons.  The  earlier  varieties  of  Pears  are  also 
grown  in  fair  quantities,  but  do  not  come  to  the  same  perfection  as  on 
deeper  soils ;  probably  the  natural  soil  is  too  hot  and  dry  for  their 
well-doing. 
Plums  are  grown  in  considerable  quantities,  Victoria  being  the 
chief  variety.  Pond’s  Seedling  also  does  well.  Green  Gage  crops 
Ireely,  and  the  growth  of  the  young  trees  is  generally  sturdy,  well 
matured,  and  of  just  the  right  strength  for  producing  buds  plentifully. 
— W.  J.  I. 
— To  show  how  trees  on  own  roots  are  appreciated  a  grower 
proudly  showed  me  a  rooted  layer  of  Victoria  Plum,  in  the  hopes  it 
would  throw  suckers  similar  to  his  Damsons. — W.  J.  I. 
OvER-FEn  Chrysanthemums. 
Each  season  we  are  careful  to  note  failures  as  well  as  successes  in 
regard  to  the  popular  autumn  flower,  and  considering  the  number  of 
cultivators  that  now  exist  who  grow  the  plant  especially  for  what  may 
be  termed  big  blooms,  the  former  are  in  too  great  a  proportion  to  the 
latter.  So  many  grow  the  plants  well  up  to  a  certain  stage,  then  the 
troubles  begin,  and  as  we  observe  things,  the  principal  cause  is  the 
too  free  use  of  stimulants,  especially  those  of  a  concentrated  or 
“ artificial”  nature.  Over-anxiety  as  to  whether  the  blooms  will  be 
open  at  a  given  date  has  led  to  nitra  e  of  soda  being  used,  not  wisely 
bu'  too  well,  so  as  to  burn  the  roots  and  prevent  proper  development 
of  the  blooms,  and  also  trusting  this  strong  fertiliser  to  the  hands  of 
the  young  in  experience,  but  whose  enthusiasm  teaches  them  that  if 
from  half  an  ounce  to  a  gallon  of  water  such  wonderful  results  accrue, 
what  marvellous  blooms  will  spring  from  a  double  dose. 
In  mixing  the  soil,  again,  we  have  known  these  concentrated  forms 
of  manures  to  be  added  in  such  quantities  that  roots  absolutely  refuse 
to  move  into  the  new  earth,  and  even  the  old  roots  have  been  killed 
thereby  giving  the  plants  a  cheek  from  which  they  are  not  likely  to 
recover.  Why  Chrysanthemums  should  want  so  much  more  feeding, 
than  most  other  plants  grown  in  pots  we  do  not  know.  They  carry  big 
leaves  certainly,  but  they  usually  get  a  fair  quantity  of  earth  for 
root  space. 
Two  or  three  striking  illustrations  occurred  within  my  knowledge 
last  autumn  as  to  the  wisdom  of  feeding.  One  especially  was  that  of 
a  young  gardener  who  grew  a  few  Chrysanthemums  to  obtain  large 
blooms  for  the  first  time.  He  rooted  cuttings,  duly  potted  them,  and 
attended  well  to  the  watering  during  a  trying  summer,  trained  three 
growths  to  each  plant,  and  did  not  “  top  ”  them  on  fancy  dates,  but 
fet  them  grow  their  own  natural  height.  Guanos  were  unknown  as 
far  as  his  small  garden  was  concerned,  and  he  was  satisfied  with  the 
neighbouring  meadow  to  collect  bis  stimulant  from  cow  an!  sheep 
manure.  This  was  applied  weak  and  often  when  the  bloom  buds  were 
swelling  ;  and  superb  blooms  of  Lady  Byron,  Austrab  Gold,  Pride  of 
Madford,  Phoebus,  and  other  well-known  Japanese  va  ies  resulted. 
A  near  neighbour  was  cultivating  a  large  collection  for  purposes  of 
exhibition.  These  were  grown  with  intelligence  and  care,  and  through¬ 
out  the  season  the  plants  were  talked  of  and  envied  on  account  of  the 
giant  stems  and  huge  leathery  leaves.  In  due  time  they  were  housed, 
but  by  the  time  the  marvellous  flowers  were  required  a  change  had 
come  over  the  scene.  The  blossoms  opened  imperfectly  and  contracted, 
colourlei-s  and  thin.  These  plants  had  been  fed  with  all  kinds  of 
nameless  mixtures,  and  the  growth  so  pleasing  to  the  eye  was  really 
soft,  and  what  should  have  been  “  wood  ”  was  “  pith.”  As  gardeners 
do  not  differ  in  various  localities  in  the  matter  of  enthusiasm  for  the 
Chrysanthemum,  these  ways  can  be  taken  as  similar  to  those  in  other 
districts,  so  that  failures  may  be  thus  multiplied.  Of  all  plants  we 
know  the  autumn  queen  is  the  most  overgrown,  or  rather  overfed. 
It  would  serve  a  useful  purpose  if,  now  that  another  season  is 
before  us,  readers  of  this  Journal  stated  their  views  upon  this  and 
other  pluses  of  culture.  By  this  means,  one  is  sure  many  failures 
might  be  averted  during  the  coming  autumn.  Our  experience  is  that 
white  Chrysanthemums  are  the  more  tender  rooted,  and  will  not  take 
stimulating  manures  unless  in  a  very  weak  state.  Iligh-coloured 
varieties,  again,  have  roots  of  a  very  sensitive  nature.  Some  of  the 
coarse  varieties  like  Etoile  de  Lyon  are  not  so  readily  overfed,  nor 
are  the  yellows.  It  may  be  found  also  that  the  incurving  Japanese 
like  Oceana  and  Australie,  with  their  thick  florets  and  stout  foliage, 
are  less  likely  than  most  varieties  to  be  spoiled  by  feeding.  But 
generally,  we  believe  using  stimulants  to  grow  Chrysanthemums  has 
become  a  fad  which  is  very  much  overdone,  and  our  advice  to  culti¬ 
vators  who  have  hitherto  not  succeeded  in  so  great  a  measure  as 
the  wish  to  look  to  this  as  a  probable  cause,  and  apply  the  remedy 
in  future. —  Specialist. 
