The Garden. [By Hortus.]

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 376, 12 June 1889, Page 4

The Garden. [By Hortus.]

Selecting Fruit Trees. BKFOKn anyone begins to purchase fruit trees he ought to consider well what he is about to do. A bad tree occupies as much space, costs as much money at first, requires as much care to bring into bearing as ag-ood one ; but the fruit is almost worthless at the end of perhaps seven years. The lirsc resolve, then, should be to obtain really good varieties of each kind that it has been determined to grow. This resolution may be biassed, however, by various considerations ; as, for instance, if the fruit is only intended for home use, or for presents to friends, the paiticularly good flavour ot one variety may instigate its selection, although it will not bear so heavily or produce so large fruit as others: or perhaps large size or brilliant tolour, or beautiful torm, may exercise their varying influences in securing the favour of the private grower : but perhaps such fruits would find no plaoe in the orchard of one who grows to please the public, and to make his living by doing so. The latter will take for his motto, "Quantity and quality combined," but the fbrmer will so for quality, flavour, and size, e\en if he gets but a dozen fruits to a tree. Having decided fiimly upon the character of the trees to be purchased, the next thing is to select such as will be most likely to grow vigorously when planted, and in this respect every class of grower should be unanimous. The first consideration is the size and age of the trees, and ib will be noted that ifc is to the interest of the nurserj'inan to get rid of those which are least likely to be taken by men who know what is the best for them to take. They may not press buyers, perhaps, to take such stock, but they will let them select, or quietly put in trees which they would not recommend if they were strictly candid. Large trees are by no means desirable for many reasons, but the principal objection is that they have been growing for such a time that their fibrous roots have extended to such a distance that in digging them out they have been bruised, mutilated and cut away, and consequently the top has to be pruned to such an extent that the tree is little better than a log planted in the ground, instead of at once taking a cutting to strike a tree trom. If small trees are taken, it is more likely that their roots will be nearly perfect ; and in chat case, with a little pruning of the head, they will be able to supply the demands made when the tree again breaks into growth. It itupon the quantity of these small tibrous roots that the life of the tree depends, and if these were all cut away it would be a thousand to one if the tree lived, and then it would be bv development of roots in the same way as cuttings are struck. A tree that was grafted a year ago is the best that can be chosen. Next comes the chai actor of the tree. First, it should be straight, because a j crooked tree is never properly balanced, and is liable to be blown down or dragged over when it gets heavy in the top. It is, perhaps, better to be short than long in the stem, though this can be regulated during the growth. In this hot climate it is essential that the trunk should be shaded, else the sun will burn the bark on one side, and theupwaid flow of sap of course impeded, the tree suffering proportionately. The bark of the young tree should be clear and healthy, full of life and sap ; if it has a dry warty, hard look about it, there is reason to suppose the tree should be examined for injuries fro*n scale insects, borers, coccus, aphis, and other pests : and if these are observed, they should be rejected. It will be noted that trees raised in a poor, shallow soil are always best rooted, whilst the contrary is the case where the soil is deep and rich. The last and most important matter is, to obtain trees which have not been dug up, and left exposed to the air. The fine end-s of the fibrous roots are as delicate as it is possible to be. and ii they are allowed to become dried, they are injured in proportion as they have been exposed, Arrang-e-ments should be made to ha\e them taken out of the ground, kept covered with slightly damp material, and conveyed as quickly as possible to the place where they are to be planted, and then put in at once. The roots should never be pruned or touched with a knife or saw, unless injured seriously. — "Adelaide Observer.''