AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 
509 
Orchard—continued. ` 
represented in Orchards, in at least several of the Eng- 
lish counties. Speaking generally, Cherries are not of 
much use to plant on a small scale, or even at all in 
most parts, as standard trees, in the open. Temporary 
protection cannot be afforded them, when thus situated, for 
preventing injury to the flowers by spring frosts, and 
great havoc is also caused by birds amongst the buds, 
as well as amongst the ripe fruits. Where the trees 
are known to succeed naturally in Orchards respecting 
the first-named condition, they may be planted in suffi- 
cient quantity to make it worth while having them looked 
after when the fruits are ripening, and both seasons 
would be greatly shortened by planting only one variety. 
Plums (under which Damsons may also be included) 
‘are limited in varieties suitable for culture in Orchards, 
especially such as are laid down in grass, many of the 
branches being situated so near the ground. ‘Their 
frnits are, however, much in demand, and, in seasons 
when good crops can be secured, they usually prove 
‘more remunerative than most other supplies of home- 
grown Orchard produce. Damson-trees frequently attain 
a good size, and bear prodigious crops in favourable 
seasons; they should be planted. rather close together, 
as the heads do not usually spread much; and, the 
wood being rather brittle, is less likely to get broken 
by heavy gales than if the trees were inserted as isolated 
specimens. Nuts may also be included amongst Orchard 
fruits, as they will succeed in nearly all situations and 
localities if their blossoms of both sexes escape destrne- 
tion by spring frosts. If, however, there are Squirrels, 
or other depredators, about, it is of little use attempting 
to grow Nuts; at any rate, not as a profitable crop. A 
specimen or two of Quince-trees, and also of Medlars, 
should be provided with a place, as, although their fruits 
are not much in demand, a few are generally acceptable. 
The trees are also in keeping with the other occupants 
of an Orchard, and are, at least (apart from the use of 
their fruits), distinct and ornamental subjects, on account 
of their flowers and, in the case of the Medlar, beau- 
tifully-coloured foliage in autumn. 
Soil and Situation. In the formation of an Orchard, 
the first points for consideration are those of soil and 
situation, the first-named being perhaps the most im- 
portant of the two, although, in some respects, the 
other is not of secondary consequence. Drainage is of 
primary importance, and must be insured, either by a 
subsoil of a gravelly nature, by the natural disposition 
of the land, or by drains inserted specially for the pur- 
pose. No fruit-trees will succeed properly if stagnant 
water is allowed in or about the soil surrounding their 
roots. Respecting different soils, there are few in which 
the most important of Orchard fruits, Apples, will not 
thrive to a greater or less extent, as evidenced by such 
a quantity being grown, without special attention, in all 
‘parts of the country. The best and most lasting results, 
however, are obtained in well-drained land where the soil 
is of a good depth, and somewhat strong. Light or 
sandy soils tend to induce trees to bear good crops, but 
only for a short period, compared with those of a more 
holding nature. In some localities, there is little to choose 
from; but in others, great variation exists, even in a 
very limited area. Where subsoils are gravelly, and, 
consequently, naturally drained, it might, and most likely 
would, be very unwise to insert pipes, as by them too 
much water would be conducted away, and the trees, 
unless the rainfall were unusually heavy, would be un- 
able to withdraw sufficient moisture to meet their re- 
quirements. The situation best suited for an Orchard is 
a gentle slope to the south or south-west. It is not 
advisable to select an eastern exposure, as, although 
the early morning sun is most desirable for many 
reasons, it frequently adds to the destruction, by 
frost, of fruit blossoms in 
spring, by causing the 
Orchard continued. 
latter, when frozen, to thaw ee e le Shelter is of 
material importance, and, where it exists naturally, due 
advantage should, if possible, be taken of the site, pro- 
vided other conditions are favourable. Much may fre- 
quently be done towards providing shelter to an Orchard, 
by planting a belt of quick-growing forest-trees — 
Larch or Poplars, for instance—at a safe distance away 
on the north and eastern sides, whence destructive winds 
proceed. These trees must not, however, be planted 
close enough for their roots to impoverish the cultivated 
ground. Orchard fruit-trees shelter each other to a cer- 
tain degree when established, if they are not planted 
too far apart. To get them up to this stage, some pro- 
tection will invariably be necessary; and, should the site 
be unfavourably situated in this respect, it must be pro- 
vided, if only to the extent of planting a high hedge, to 
serve as a break against rough, cold winds. Exposure 
to full sun and light on the south side is recommended, 
as it is important that the wood of fruit-trees in a 
bearing state should be thoroughly ripened in summer 
for the next year, as well as the fruit of the current 
year. Spring frosts are far less injurious when the 
blossoms are strong and the wood firm, than when both 
are in the reverse condition. 
Planting. This operation will depend somewhat on 
whether the land between the standard trees is to be 
laid down in grass, or dug and occupied with other crops 
and dwarf fruit-trees. If a piece of land is 
taken for converting into an Orchard, without destroying 
the turf, it is most important that good-sized holes bè 
dug out, so that the roots may be spread carefully, tò 
their fall length, in planting, and the soil moved for 
a considerable space round further than the distance 
to which they extend. Young trees would, however, 
be likely to succeed better were the land for an 
Orchard well broken up by deep ploughing, or, maybe, 
on a large scale, by steam cultivation, previous to being 
planted. The intervening space, to within a short dis- 
tance of the trees, might then be annually cropped with 
such things as Potatoes or Turnips, but not with grain 
of any sort. As the trees get old enough for their 
heads to overshadow crops beneath, their roots will also 
have similarly extended, and the whole surface may then 
be sown with grass seeds, and changed into pasture. 
In tilled Orchards, where it is not intended to admit 
cattle at any time, the land between standard trees may 
be planted with others grown in bush or pyramid form, 
or with those usually termed small fruits. Standard fruit- 
trees for Orchards should have stems about 5ft. high, 
and be planted from 16ft. to 20ft. apart. A greater dis- 
tance than this is sometimes recommended; but, as a 
rule, it is unnecessary, even for the admission of light 
and air, and the trees do not shelter each other so much 
as when they are somewhat closer together. November, 
if weather permits, is, perhaps, the best season for plant- 
ing Orchards; but, if the operation cannot be conducted 
at this season, any favourable time up to the end of 
February may be selected, providing the weather is not 
frosty. No fruit-tree should be planted too deeply in the 
soil, with the idea of preventing its removal by the wind; 
a stake to each—in the case of standards, at least must 
be provided for this purpose. The same depth as that to 
which the trees have previously been planted is usually 
a fairly good guide—say, from 3in. to Ain. of soil above 
the roots. Any newly-planted fruit-tree, over which the 
wind may have power, should, apart from being well 
trodden in, be securely staked, either temporarily or 
permanently, as the case may be; a little hay or moss, 
or a piece of old gutta-percha piping, should be placed 
where each tie is made, to prevent the bark being 
injured in tying, or afterwards by chafing. It is impos- 
‘sible for young roots to obtain a hold, if the trees are 
‘allowed to sway about; and break them off so soon’ as 
