Occupations > Abercrombie's improved practical gardener; with a monthly calendar for the flower garden

30
INTRODUCTION*
proper arrangement of which is a subject of very
considerable importance; and a right perform- :
ance of this work requires no small degree both
of skill and attention, in selecting such kinds of
fruit-trees as will insure a regular succession of
fruit throughout a greater part of the year. This
subject comprises 1. Wall-trees; and 2. Espalier
or Dwarf Standard.
Shall commence our present subject with the
choice of fruit-trees in the nursery, which re¬
marks may be applied to all sorts of fruit grown
in a kitchen garden. Every possible attention
should be had in the choice of plants; for, after
being at a considerable expense in erecting walls,
making borders, &c. to have a tree that does not ,
give satisfaction is a great disappointment.
Let the kind of fruit-trees wanted be whatever
they may, choose such as have grown vigorous
and straight, and have a healthy appearance.
The trees should never be more than two years
from the budding or grafting, but in most cases
if only one they are better, as much disappoint¬
ment is sometimes the consequence of planting
older trees, perhaps through being previously
grown in a different soil, or by injuring the roots
in taking up, &c.; and thus, instead of saving
time, it is generally lost, being after some years
obliged to take them up and plant over again;
hence the old proverb, “ work once well done, is
twice done.”
The distance the trees should stand from the
wall is eight or nine inches, and from each other