212 On Orchards. 



I have tried several of Mr. Coxe's modes. I was 

 Jjersuaded to adopt the mode No. 5, of deep holes, to 

 supercede the necessity of stakes ; and under the idea 

 which I am told is adopted in east Jersey, viz. that the 

 growth would be accelerated. But I did not mix lime 

 with the dung; for I know this to be a sure way of ren- 

 dering parts of the dung inoperative. Many of my 

 trees died, eaten by vermin; or perished by other mis- 

 fortunes. The shallow planting (and if any thing is 

 jput in the holes, it should be the surface mould, well 

 rotted compost, or rich native earth) always succeeds 

 the best. Top dressing far.iexceeds any other applica- 

 tion of manure : in this 1 include plaister. My old JFir- 

 iemberg gardener, who lived many years in the Duke's 

 service at Stutgard, is the most lucky in planting trees, 

 of any one I have known. This branch of his trade 

 seems to be his Jbrt. He always plants shallow, and 

 gives a top dressing. Some of my deep planted trees 

 are, however, very flourishing; after dwindling at first. 



Whether or not they shoot out roots near the surface, 

 I do not know. fFheat will do this, if planted too 

 deep ; and what is below the roots thus sent forth, will 

 perish. But trees are dift'erently organized. 



Mr. Goxe''s No. 9 reminds me of a fact forty years 

 old. I had a fine nurser}^ then of my own ; as the bu- 

 siness of nursery men, was not then followed as it is 

 now. I determined to plant a tolerably large orchard, 

 which is now in good condition. I selected the most 

 thriving, clean barked, and healthy apple trees, from my 

 own nursery; and they were really handsome and heal- 

 thy trees. I procured some equally good, from a Ger- 

 man neighbour; who thought that every thing shoukl 



