DEAESriNO. 19 



5. Those wliicli lie at tlie base of a liill at some 

 distance below the summit. 



G. Those which .lie so nearly level that, although 

 porous in their character, do not allow the water to 

 flow oil* readily from the surface. 



On any of the varieties of soil mentioned, without 

 draining, the pear tree is peculiarly subject to serious 

 diseases. The winter or sap blight iinds its most 

 numerous victims upon them, while in the worst con- 

 ditions of such soils the growth of the tree is slow and 

 stunted. In soils at all retentive of water, thorough 

 drainage is the only safeguard against these evils, 

 and many positions, not suspected of this defect, will 

 be found upon examination to be sadly in need of 

 this remedy. 



If the plot of ground lies at tlie base of a hill, or on 

 its slope, at some distance below the summit, the 

 water percolating through the soil from the higher 

 ground will lind its way to the surface along some 

 saturated strata; and the least that can be done will 

 be, to cut a ditch of from four to five feet in depth 

 along the upper line of the ground, thus intercepting 

 a part of the descending waters. 



This ditch should be laid with tile, or a rude but 

 cfiective channel made of rubble stone, and in both 

 cases should be half filled with the latter, when j^ro- 

 curable ; upon which a thick layer of straw should be 

 placed, and the earth pressed firmly in to fill up the 

 ditch. 



For more minute directions relatini]: to the condi- 

 tions of soil requiring drainage, and the various 



