DWARF FRUIT TREES

An increasing interest in dwarf fruit trees for the small grower makes this book a useful addition to the garden bookshelf. Practical guide-starting out with advantages and disadvantages-what actually dwarf fruit trees are (dwarf root stock and top part any one of many varieties)- some hints as to which varieties in apples and pears, the two most highly developed dwarfs, are best. Then the planning of the locale, preparation of soil, space required, probable yield in order to give a guide to the number needed, ripening timetable, uses for various varieties (in general keyed to climate of northeast and northwest). There is discussion as to how to buy or whether to propagate own trees --planting, the wends and hows, pruning, staking, thinning for size of fruit, cultivation, mulching, fertilizing, diseases and pests and how to control them, harvesting and storing. A final chapter deals with espaliered fruits.