ORCHARD SOIL. 9 



tages, considers that " the management of the fruit, and its proper 

 fermentation," are the requisites supremely essential for the pro- 

 duction of Cider and Perry of the highest quality and excellence. 

 All these good people are right from the result of their own 

 experience, but all are wrong in the restriction of their views. The 

 careful personal attention of the cultivator must be given to each 

 and every one of these points, with patience and perseverance, and 

 then it will only remain for favourable seasons to insure a full 

 amount of success. 



The present condition of English Orchards is far from satis- 

 factory. They show sadly the result of long-continued neglect. It 

 is the object of the present work to direct attention to them, to give 

 a brief, practical review of the requirements for their proper cultiva- 

 tion and management, and thus to pave the way for further and 

 more complete study. 



I. THE ORCHARD. 



Soil. — The Apple and the Pear-tree are very hardy. They 

 will grow and flourish in almost every variety of soil, producing in 

 abundance their most useful fruits. The Apple-tree prefers a Sand- 

 stone wherever it is found, as the Pear-tree rejoices in Calcareous 

 soil. It has been universally observed however that the same trees 

 will produce fruit varying much in size and quality on different soils. 

 "Every variety of Apple," says Thomas Andrew Knight, "is more 

 or less aff"ected by the nature of the soil it grows upon. On some 

 soils the fruit attains a large size and is full of juice, on others it is 

 dry and highly flavoured." 



When fruit is required for Cider making, the proper quality of 



the soil on which it is grown is all important. As the poet has 



well said : — 



" Next let the Planter, with discretion meet 



The Force and Genius of each Soil explore ; 



To what adapted, what it shows averse : 



Without this necessary care, in vain 



He hopes an Apple Vintage, and invokes 



Pomona's aid in vain." 



Philips " Cyder.''' 



