APPENDIX. 219 



ter-killinff than are most Other soils. With a free subsoil UBderlyisvg it, a 

 loamy clay soil will probably yield the best results, especially if iL be well 

 prepared by thoroufrh culture and subsoiling' before plantitig: Lbe ( i-eet^. Tim- 

 ber lands, or lands on which forests have formerly grown, if luivluy the 

 proper exposure and drainage, are preferable for orchard sites. Such lands 

 contain all the elements of plant food necessary to insure a good and sviIIiiuoDt 

 wood-growth and fruitfulness. Fruit grown on such lands will rank 11r)5t 

 class in size, quantity and appearance. 



DRAINAtiE. 



All orchard lands should be thoroughly surface-drained and subd rained. 

 No orchard can endure for a great leninh of time w'ih slagnjAu water- 

 either on the surface or within the soil. All surplus water from e<ce?isive 

 rainfall, or from other causes, should be promptly removed b; ei'fher surface 

 or subdrainage. 



If the natural formation of the land does not afford such pt-ompL drainage 

 it must be provided artiticially. Surface ditches or fiu-fows beiweea the 

 rows of trees may afford temporary drainage, but they are objecllonable on 

 other accounts that will be apparent; for an orchard thus dx'aiaed will be 

 bad to get over in its necessary care and ingathering and handling the 

 fruit. Subdrainage is far better on these accounts ; besides, ii, is miicn more 

 thorough, especially if supplied with well-laid tile. 



A thorough breaking up of the subsoil will afford temporary drainage in 

 a stiff clay soil, but in a few years the soil will again become compacted, 

 when it will require restirring. But in all cases the planter shoi'id be the 

 judge of the special requirements of his soil and location as to drainage, etc. 



USE OF FERTILIZERS AND OF CLOVER. 



The soil constituting the pi*oposed orchard-site should be carefully studied, 

 and if found to be lacking in essential elements of fertility naturally to 

 maintain a fairly vigorous wood-growth, fertilizers should be added before 

 plowing, that they may become thoroughly incorporated with the soil in 

 preparing the land for planting. 



BARNYARD MANURE AND WOOD ASHES. 



Scientists and practical orchardists are generally agreed on the great 

 value of well-rotted barnyard manure as the best for an apple orchard. It 

 not only supplies humus, but it contains a large per cent, of other necessary 

 nutritive elements for maintaining health, vigor, and fruitfulness of tree 

 and development of qualities for a fine fruit product. But as the stock of 

 this sort of manure is not always sufficient for the general demand, other 

 agents have to be resorted to ; and, next in value, and in a concentrated form, 

 are unleached w^ood ashes, which will supply to a great extent the necessary 

 element of plant growth. It is mantained by some authorities that one ton of 



