202 THE GARDENER. [May 



Soil. — We think that soil is tlie most important thing to consider in 

 the planting of Apple-trees. Climate is no doubt an important factor 

 in the production of first-class crops, but there are not many districts 

 south of the Grampians where the climate is so bad that fine crops of 

 Apples may not be produced if the soil is a proper one. Now we wish 

 to impress our readers with this fact, for this is where the majority of 

 inexperienced persons err : it is useless to plant orchard-trees on land 

 where the farmer fears to allow his plough to penetrate more than 5 

 inches ; and yet we could name places where such a thing has been done. 

 We know that ninety-nine out of every hundred of cottage and villa 

 gardeners have no power to help themselves in this matter, — they must 

 '' take the ford as they find it." When the soil is extremely thin, only 

 dwarf trees should be grown, although dwarfs may be grown on any 

 soil. Our best orchards everywhere are on deep heavy land ; and 

 unless the soil is, or can be made, 2 feet deep at the very least, and 3 

 feet if possible, we would not advise the planting of what are known as 

 Standards. Yet no trees give less trouble and yield more in the long 

 run. If the soil is light and deep it will do very well for the same 

 l)urpose, and road -scrapings or clayey soil will do it much good. 

 Heavy soil may be improved by the opposite treatment. Eoad-scrap- 

 ings from off sandy roads will do much good, and such is generally more 

 attainable by the grower on a small scale than light loam or sandy 

 soil, although these should be secured if they are to be obtained. 

 Ashes (screened), sand, leaf-mould, peat, and other suchlike substances 

 are also valuable. Drainage is also necessary ; for no fruit-tree will 

 thrive where the soil is saturated with water. 



In preparing the ground for the reception of the trees, it should be 

 trenched to its full depth, but only the best soil thrown on the top. 

 The bottom should be dug over (or picked if need be), so that the air 

 and rain may penetrate and escape freely. Between the three upper 

 layers of earth, layers of manure should be placed — thick or thin as the 

 land is poor or rich — and a dressing of lime, unless the soil is on chalk 

 or limestone, over the surface. This operation may be done during 

 winter. The season following we would take a crop of Potatoes off 

 the ground, and work the ground properly. The result will be a well- 

 prepared soil, on which the trees will be sure to grow if they are 

 healthy when planted, and properly taken care of afterwards. Of 

 course, if the trees are to be dotted about in the vegetable-garden, the 

 whole garden need not be trenched ; nor will it be necessary to wait a 

 year on the ground preparing. When the ground is in good condition, 

 and properly drained, the trees may be at once planted. When the 

 land is once properly prepared, the operation of planting is the same 

 in all cases. 



Position. — In gardens, Apple and other fruit trees are planted along the sides 

 of the walks, and against the walls. If no other place is available, then these 

 are the best places. Standards should be planted not nearer to the walk than 5 



