20 PKEPAEATION OF THE SOIL. 



methods of effecting it, the reader is referred to the 

 works upon that subject. It is sufficient for this place 

 to say, that tliere are but few sdils that would not 

 derive great advantage from thorough under-draining. 



PLOWING AND CKOPPINQ THE GROUND. 



When the planting of an orchard can be anticipated 

 for a year or two, the ground should be prepared by 

 growing some hoed crop upon it ; as the proper treat- 

 ment for a good crop of corn, or potatoes, forms an 

 excellent ^preparation for the growth of trees. By 

 this plan, the soil is reduced to a fine tilth, the weeds 

 are subdued, and if the crop has been well manured, 

 the ground is rich enougli for the first year. If the 

 soil is clayey, or otherwise retentive of moisture, the 

 plowing should be performed in the fall, and left 

 in ridges ; but if at all sandy and light, it should be 

 left as compact as possible at that time, and not 

 plowed until spring. 



The ground should be double plowed, by turning 

 a deep furrow, and following in the bottom of that 

 furrow either with a subsoil or common plow. If 

 there is such a thing possible as stirring the soil for 

 eighteen or twenty inches in depth, it should by all 

 means be accomplished, for this reason : a hole dug in 

 a soil, more or less compact, is in effect a cistern. 

 This, while it loses capacity, does not lose any of 

 its power to retain water, by being filled with loose 

 soil, in which a tree is planted. The invigorating 

 effect of water upon the roots of plants is probably 

 nearlv exhausted in the first few moments of its con- 



