FRUITS IN SMALL GARDENS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20252, 11 May 1929, Page 4 (Supplement)

FRUITS IN SMALL GARDENS.

ESPALIER TREES. Although tho training of certain varieties of fruit trees 011 tho espalier system of culture has on several previous occasions been referred to, as tho transplanting season is again nigh at hand tho writer may be excused for again referring to this method of culture.

For gardens of limited areas especially, there is no bettor method of training than tho espalier system. One of its greatest advantages is tho small amount of spaco tho trees occupy compared with

standard grown trees, for if planted in rows the whole length of the garden and properly trained they will not take up in width more than 18in to 2ft in tho rows at any season of tho year. ADVANTAGES OP THE SYSTEM. Apples and pears in particular do well trained in this manner, while some varieties of piums, especially some of the Japanese, succeed well if carefully trained. If tho rows are arranged from 18ft to 20ft apart it still allows ample space for tho cultivation of vegetables and other crops, while the cultivation of tho ground between the rows naturally helps to encourage healthy fruit trees. METHODS OF TRAINING. Although there are various methods of training, tho most simple and best for the ordinary garden is tho horizontal system, particularly for apples, pears, and some plums. Tho best support for training tho trees is- made by putting in posts at reasonable distances apart and straining four wires tho whole length of the rows, tho first wire being kept about 15in from the ground and the others 12in apart. With this method of training tho branches are naturally horizontal, and during their various stages of growth are pruned with tho object of producing side shoots to furnish each wire. THE WALL -ESPALIER. While apples', pears, and some of tho plums sucreed admirably under the horizontal method of training there are others such as peaches, nectarines, apricots and similar varieties that arc not adapted for this method. These aro naturally rapid growers and if intended for training, succeed best when trained to a fairly high wall or fence, while they require more skill in pruning and training than the apple or "pear. TREES POR ESPALIERS. In selecting trees for training it is better 10 solect either maidens, that is, trees having only one straight stem, or trees with three shoots, ono on each side at tho height required for tho first wire. At the time of pruning tho leading shoots should be cut back to the bi\d just above the next wire, tho object being to produco two other shoots, one on either sido for training to tho second wire, as well as a leading shoot to bo carried up and so on until sido brauches are secured for each wire

DISTANCES APART, A fair distance to plant tho trees apart in the rows is about 15 feet. This will allow the branches to extend on either side 7gft before they reach each other. If there is insufficient space to arrange tho rows as advised they can bo trained along tho sido of tho paths or on tho dividing fences. By this means

of culture the same number of trees can be grown in a comparatively small space as would covor tho whole' garden when grown as standard trees.

ESPALIERS GOOD CROPPERS. Espalier trees, when properly pruned and trained, bear abundant crops of wellgrown and highly coloured fruit, due no doubt to tho sun and air having free access to both sides of the trees so that the wood is always thoroughly well ripened. EASILY HANDLED TREES. Another advantage of espalic-r trees, especially in gardens of limited area is that they aro moro easily handled and kept under control, while there is not the same difficulty in controlling insects and diseases as with large standard trees. There is also far less risk of the trees or fruits being injured by fierco winds or gales. Amateur growers would find this method of culturo both interesting and profitable.

PRUNING ESPALIER TREES. As tho trees advance in growth, pruning is an important oporation, summer pruning especially being esschtial while u certain amount of winter pruning is necessary. Summer pruning in almost every instance induces fruitfulness, and one of the chief objects of espalier training is to induce fruiting spurs to form at regular intervals along the whole length of the branches, and this can best bo dono by cutting or pinching back tho side laterals as they grow during the summer or growing season. Tho fact of tho branches being grown horizontally results in moro rapid sido growths than when the branches aro growing upright. In selecting trees for espaliers, varieties that have a tendency to fruit on tho tips of the branches should not be selected. These however, are comparatively few, while others that spur freely aro numerous.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. TJM., Paraketu.—Dried specimens to identify are:—No. 1. Pittosporam urnbellatuni. It is .a small-growing tree and resembles P. crassifolium. 2. Dracophyllum urvilleanum. 3. Dracophyllum Sinciairu. ■l. Melicytns lanceolatus, the narrow-leaved malioe. 5. Gloichenin dicarpa (umbrella fern). G. Blechnum fluviatale syn. Lomaria fluviatalis. 7. Pratia angulata, a pretty littlo native lobelia. S.H.C., Waimauku.—Toward tho end of winter, just before tlio new growth starts, is tho best tijne to cut hedges of Hakea saligna, also of oxylobium, wrongly called podalyria.

R.W., Otahuliu.—Name of native tree is tho putaputawota (Carpodetus serratus), and belongs to the natural order Saxifrageae.

D.M., Caterpillar to identify is tho larva of the . hawk moth (Sphinx convolvulae). Several' years ago they were numerous, of various colours, and beautifully markod; very thick, with a curved horn at the hinder part; and very fond of feeding upon the convolvolus weed. The large moths fly in tho dusk of tho evening and early morning Most of tho larvae are very ornamental. with seven oblique-coloured lines on tho sides.

W. 8.. Glenbrook.—Apply to tho Department of Agriculture, Auckland, for tho best method of curing tobacco from the green leaves. Ro seedling fig raised from imported dry fig seeds:. It is evidently a Smyra seedling, and, like the parent, requires artificial pollenation. The Capri fig inßect is required for tho purpose. This insect has been introduced, but not established owing to climatic conditions being unfavourable for tho wild Capri fig sustaining the insect throughout the season, Root the seedling out, it being a non-fruiter. K.K.. Hastings.—As a substitute for stable or farmyard manure for lettuce, tho best artificial manures are:—When preparing the ground in early winter, apply to tho half-acre from 4cwt. to 6cwt. of basic slag dug in deeply. Before sowing or planting tho half-acre area in lettuce apply 3cwt. of super and 2cwt, of steamed boneflour as a top-dressing or 2cwt of blood and bone and 2cwt. of bonedust mixed together in equal quantities. When the lettuce are half-grown, ioz. each of nitrate and phosphate of potash dissolved in water to tho gallon is an ideal liquid manuro. " Relts," Kohuratalii.—The box containing four large handsome, highly-coloured, evenly-shaped apples, possessing, when cut, no seeds in their very large wide and. deep seed cells, is a most unusual characteristic and quite unique. Being a clyinco seedling, its even shnpe and general appearance and colour of flesh Buggest Munroe's Favourite, syn. Ohinemuri. as the parent. It should prove a good culinary apple, equally valuable for tho commercial and home orchard. Further particulars as to the age of the tree, growth and fruiting canabilitie_s. nnd whether first fruits worn seedless, will bo appreciated. In this seedling apnlo you possess a voriety with great possibilities and unusual characteristics, , especially if the seedless qualities are retained.

W.G., Onehunca.—Apnles to name are: No. 1 is the Golden. Delicious, a vorv handsome fruit of American origin. 2. Ballarat Seedling, one of the best culinary apples, ft is also good for dessert purposes. 3. Salome, a very handsome dessert apple, and a good keener. All threo fruits aro of the highest excellence. W.T., Newmarket.—The large round cylindrical seed pod to identify belongs to the Akebia quinata, an exceedingly useful, hardy, ornamental climber that yields edible mulcilaeinous fruitß the same as sample sent. This climber has been rarely known to fruit here. It is a native of Japan. Tho leaves aro clover-like and very elegant. The large piece of acacia, with flowers attached, is the variety retinoides. Tho smaller acacia discolour. Both aro Australian varieties.

" Inquirer." Ponsonby.—Poinseltias are best planted during the spring, when tho weather becomes drier and warmer. Tho samo applies to bougainvilleas, Solanum Wendlandii. and quite a number of the potgrown climbers that aro liable to perish if planted during the wet, cold winter months. Kefob.