Report of the Working and Results of the Woburn Experimental Fruit Farm

Abstract

IN few departments of plant cultivation is empiricism more rampant than in the cultivation of fruit-trees. The methods of pruning and other cultural details have been handed down from our forefathers with little or no attempt to regulate them by scientific methods, whilst, in too many instances, absolute neglect has prevailed and fruit-growing has, in consequence, been deemed unprofitable at the very time when thousands upon thousands of barrels of apples are imported annually from the United States, Canada and Tasmania. In some cases this foreign supply comes in when our own crop is exhausted, but, speaking generally, a very large proportion of the fruit crop might be grown here just as well as in the States were our farmers endowed with the same business capacities as their brethren across the Atlantic. Recognising the importance of these facts, the Duke of Bedford has established near Woburn an experimental fruit-farm, where, under the directions of Mr. Pickering, experiments are being carried out on various cultural methods applied to fruit trees and to bush fruit. At the same time, demonstration plots are planted with a view of showing to the farmers what kinds of apples and other fruit trees may be grown in that particular locality with a reasonable expectation of profit.

Report of the Working and Results of the Woburn Experimental Fruit Farm.

By the Duke of Bedford and Spencer U. Pickering Second report. Pp. v + 260. (London: Eyre and Spottiswoode. 1900.)