ORCHARDING. 205 



general rule the less summer and fall fruit we tr}- to raise for market, 

 the better it will be for us. We should mal^e sure, however, of 

 enough for our own use by having one or two trees each of tlie 

 dilferont varieties that we or our families have a liking for. 

 Individual tastes should govern the selection more than anything 

 else. The importance of a generous and continuous supply of good 

 fruit the year round in a faraih^ cannot be overestimated. It is not 

 only a source of gratification but is also a great promoter of health. 



If an3' one has a portion of an upland pasture, made rich by the 

 droppings of the stock, no matter how locky it is if there is a 

 chance to set the trees, he has one of the very best prepared chances 

 for getting up a good thrifty orchard in the easiest and cheapest way 

 possible. The way is to fence off sucli a piece, and allow no neat 

 stock or horses to run in it at any time. Set the trees on the best 

 places about the right distance apart, and do not be too particular 

 about setting them in rows. There will be no need of manure from 

 the barn in such a place, but thej' should be kept mulched. Almost 

 an}' thing that will keep the grass down around the ti'ees until they 

 get a good start, will do for this. As soon as they get large enough 

 so that the sheep cannot bend them down nor reach to eat off the 

 tops, the fence should be so arranged as to allow sheep, and no other 

 stock, to go into the orchard to spend their idle time lying around 

 and enriching the soil. The more of them the better. So long as 

 such an orchard is thus managed there will be no trouble, so far at 

 least as the management of tlie soil is concerned, in having a good 

 thrift}' orchard, bearing large crops of the nicest fruit. 



Another good place to raise an orchard is on a piece of newly 

 cleared upland with a strong deep soil, if its fertilit}' can be kept in 

 it for that purpose ; but if it is to be cropped for grain and grass as 

 it usualh' is, the trees must receive the same treatment that they 

 need in any other mowing field. The best way in all other localities 

 is to cultivate the land until the trees get a good start, and even 

 then they should be mulched to prevent their drying up in summer 

 and freezing to death in winter. Any one can be quite successful 

 in raising an orchard in a grass field by mulching the trees with 

 good manure as soon as set out in sufficient quantity to kill all the 

 grass for three or four feet around them, then, before the grass gets 

 a start again, mulch with straw, brakes, poor hay, or almost any- 

 thing to keep the grass down. After a year or two put on more 

 manure and mulching in a larger circle, and keep up such treatment 



