As a rule, however, with moderate care, most of
us are able to say, "I'm pretty well, I thank you," and when
ailing we do not straightway despair. In spite of all enemies and
drawbacks, fruit is becoming more plentiful every year. If one man
can raise it, so can another.
Be hospitable to birds, the best of all insect destroyers. Put up
plenty of houses for bluebirds and wrens, and treat the little
brown song-sparrow as one of your stanchest friends.
A brief word in regard to the quince, and our present list of
fruits is complete.
If the quince is cultivated after the common neglectful method, it
would better be relegated to an obscure part of the garden, for,
left to itself, it makes a great sprawling bush; properly trained,
it becomes a beautiful ornament to the lawn, like the other fruits
that I have described. Only a little care, with the judicious use
of the pruning-shears, is required to develop it into a miniature
and fruitful tree, which can be grown with a natural rounded head
or in the form of a pyramid, as the cultivator chooses. It will
thrive well on the same soil and under similar treatment accorded
to the pear or the apple. Procure from a nursery straight-stemmed
plants; set them out about eight feet apart; begin to form the
head three feet from the ground, and keep the stem and roots free
from all sprouts and suckers.
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