ORCHARDS AND FRUIT CULTURE. (39 



has most fully fitted to the growth of the apple. If our soil is 

 lacking in any one of these constituents, we must supply it our- 

 selves. So I say that a limestone or granite soil is better than 

 any other, and here in Oxford county no one will deny that we 

 have a granite soil ; and from my observation of many localities, 

 at least, in Oxford county, the granite is very largely composed 

 of feldspar. 



Our friend from Connecticut has spoken in regard to the pro- 

 tection of orchards. I simply wish to mention in that connection 

 one very serious loss from lack of protection. You have better 

 trees where they are not twisted and turned about by the winds 

 and heavy gales that we have. We all know that our forest trees 

 are what we call " shaky," the high winds blow them back and 

 forth, and induce broken trunks at the butt. Apple trees are in a 

 measure liable to the same injuries. If we get them out of the 

 range of these strong winds, we have more healthy trees. But 

 beyond that, when we come to harvest our apples, it is very un- 

 pleasant to find, after some northwest gale, twenty-five out of fifty 

 barrels on the ground. J have seen one-half the crop on one hun- 

 dred trees shaken off in fifteen minutes by a single gale. We 

 want to place our trees where they shall not be exposed to these 

 strong winds. 



* I agree most cordially with our friend in regard to the prepa- 

 ration of the soil. After having selected it, let it be thoroughly 

 drained first, if necessary, and then thoroughly tilled. I would 

 not plant an orchard upon a piece of ground without subsoiling 

 it. You cannot do that well after you get your trees planted. 

 You might do it, perhaps, within three or four years, but soon the 

 roots run out so far that it is not possible. Then, when you come 

 to dig the holes, don't talk about digging out great holes ; if the 

 whole field is what it should be, all the hole you want is sufficient 

 room to spread out the roots. Then sift the finely pulverized earth 

 among the roots, so that they will have a chance to grow. My 

 experience in this is, that the roots of the tree should be placed so 

 that they will form a support all round the tree, otherwise you 

 will have to stake it, and I would not give a cent for a tree that 

 needs to be staked. I would not have it in my orchard. When 

 you have spread the roots properly, lay the earth upon those roots, 

 gently pressing it down, so that there shall be no air spaces Ground 

 or among the roots. Let the earth be brought closely in contact 

 with every root, no two roots touching each other, and, if possible, 



