94 ORCHARDS. 



what Mr. Skinner has said concerning the "washing and 

 nursincr" of YOung trees. Nothing valuable is attained with- 

 out some labor and attention, and the rewards of both are 

 sure — especially as regards fruit culture. It is pleasant 

 and healthful to work among the trees, and it is attended with 

 results satisfactory in ratio Avith the means expended. 



ADDITIONAL REMARKS ON CULTIVATION AND 

 THOROUGH PREPARATION OF THE SOIL. 



It may not be improper in this place to reiterate and 

 still further insist on the importance of thorough ijrepa- 

 ration of the soil intended for fruit trees — and,, indeed, 

 for nearly all vegetable crops. The labor thus expended in 

 advance, may be somewhat tedious, and, perhaps, expensive, 

 but it is capital well laid out ; for the after culture will always 

 be light and easy, when the soil is once well and deeply bro- 

 ken, and the manure well mixed with the soil, if it is needed; 

 thrift, free growth, and early bearing are secured, and the 

 benefit appertaining to all these things, is exactly in proportion 

 to the degree of drainage, pulverization, &c., of the soil thus 

 thoroughly effected. 



If we study the nature and character of plants, says a 

 Western writer, we find that they take up food through their 

 roots — chiefly through the ends of their roots, which are called 

 spongioles, from their resemblance to a sponge — which is 

 carried in the sap to the leaves and branches, where it extracts 

 other nourishment from the air. This food can only be taken 

 up in a solution of water, and consequently there must be 

 moisture in the soil if we expect plants to thrive. In order 

 to do this, we must loosen the soil, so that the roots can get 

 down where the moisture is. In a dr}^ time we need not ex- 

 pect tender roots to force their way where it is impossible for 

 a strong man to force a crowbar. We must mellow up the 

 soil. All agree that we can raise crops of every description, 

 if it will only rain when we need it. But we cannot make it 

 rain, and we must find some way to get moisture without it. 

 Can we do this? I think we can, and Avill attempt to show 

 how. ' It must be done by deep ploughing, and thorough cul- 



