|
Gardening
e-book:
|
|
Ministry of Agriculture Allotment &
Garden Guide
|
|
Click image
for
facsimile of page 7
September 1945
Page:
1 /
2 / 3
/ 4 /
5 /
6 / 7 /
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
FRUIT from the GARDEN |
| |
|
|
The
shortage of fruit during the war has led many people to turn their minds in
the direction of growing their own, especially apples. They have grown
vegetables successfully, and feel they can grow fruit, too. Why not, if they
have got the necessary space for a tree or two and perhaps some bush fruit?
So here are a few notes about apple growing. |
|
If the root-stock is vigorous, growth will also be vigorous, you will have
to do much pruning and fruit-bearing will be delayed; if, on the other hand,
the tree has been propagated on a weaker growing root-stock, such as Type
IX, growth will be less strong and the tree will come into bearing at an
early age. |
| |
|
 |
|
| |
|
The aim should be to plant the a compact, restricted type of tree
that is easy to handle, gives a quick return and takes up very little space.
So keep to the cordon type or the bush tree. The cordon has a single
straight stem, furnished with fruiting spurs along its entire length. It is
the type for planting against a wall or a fence. The bush tree has a stem of
about 20 in. before branching takes place, and eight to twelve branches grow
in the form of a cup, leaving an open centre. This form should be chosen
when planting in the open garden.
A cordon tree should be at least two or three years old when you
buy it, since a tree of this age will already be furnished with fruit buds.
A bush tree should be about four years.
Be careful when you buy fruit trees. Apples are propagated by
budding or grafting scions of the selected variety on special root-stocks.
It is important that you should know this, for the root-stock has a marked
influence on the growth of the tree, and so on the age at which it will
start to bear. |
|
Reputable nurserymen use root-stocks whose habit is known; such
root-stocks have been classified accordingly. So if your garden soil is in
good heart and fertile, ask the nurseryman to supply apples on Malling Type
IX, which is a weak growing stock. If, however, your soil is light and poor,
ask for the tree to be on Malling Type II, a stock that produces a tree of
medium vigour.
The choice of variety is also important for any particular variety
behaves differently in different localities. For instance, Cox's
Orange—possible the most famous English dessert apple—does best in the south
and in areas of low rainfall. It is not a good variety for planting in cold
or wet districts. People's tastes differ, too. The small gardener would do
well to take the advice of his County Horticultural Superintendent or
his local horticultural society about suitable varieties for local
conditions. Here is a list of a few well-known varieties that can generally
be relied on to do well in most districts, though some may not suit every
condition throughout the country. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Dessert Apples
James Grieve
*Ellison's Orange
Allington Pippin
Laxton's Superb |
|
Cooking Apples
*Rev. W. Wilks
Lord Derby
Lane's Prince Albert
*Crawley Beauth |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
The varieties marked
with an * are self-fertile, and Crawley Beauty flowers very late, so being
specially suited to districts subject to late frosts. If there is room for
only one apple tree choose a self-fertile variety. Where two or more
varieties are to be grown, select those that flower about the same time.
Planting operations will be dealt with in a later Guide. |
|
If you would like more information than
can be supplied in this Guide about how to increase fruit production in the
garden, you would find the Ministry's bulletin "Fruit from the Garden" very
helpful. You can get it for 3d. (4d. post free), either through any
bookseller, or direct from H.J. Stationery Office, York House, Kingsway,
London, W.C.2. |
|
| |
|
|
previous |
|
|
next |
|
|
