THE ORCHARD. 71 



be two gatherings, the fruit on the south side being ready 

 before that on the north. Of course we do not allude to the 

 young state of the trees, because the sun will go through 

 them ; but when they become matured, and of a size to bear 

 largely, however well they may be pruned and trained, there 

 will be a difference. 



Preparing the Ground. — If there be from twenty inches 

 to two feet thickness of good loam, the only preparation re- 

 quired will be to trench the ground well before planting. If 

 there be but one foot or less, there must be a removal of the 

 soil for each tree. Dig the good soil out four feet in dia- 

 meter, and throw it in a heap on one side ; then remove the 

 bad, to make the hole two feet deep, and lay it in another 

 heap ; throw in the good soil, and from between the lines of 

 trees, dig the top spit off, and fill up the hole more than full, 

 to allow for settling. The bad soil may be placed where the 

 top spit came off"; and this should be done all over the 

 ground, — that is to say, the holes should be made all over the 

 space at the distances mentioned, and thus filled up ; the line 

 for the trees need not be distributed more than four feet 

 wide, which, considering how few things do any good under 

 trees, will cause but small sacrifice. The borders must be 

 prepared in the same way as the smgle holes ; that is to say, 

 the best, or top spit, removed, to get at the bad soil, and 

 throw it out ; and the easiest way to do this will be, to 

 devote the ten feet next the border, to furnish the top spit, 

 and to take the bad. 



Draining in the orchard is absolutely necessary. It is im- 

 possible without that fruit-trees can do well long together. 

 It is therefore essential to see that the ground be well drained 

 before planting. The first concern is to find an outlet for 

 the water, and make it as deep as will take the running from 

 a three-feet-six drain. Let a drain be made along the lowest 

 portion of the ground, fom* feet deep, and into this bring 

 down drains three feet six from the surface, eighteen inches 

 to two feet wide at the top, and sloped to a mere point at 

 the bottom. The drains should be opened one rod apart, in 

 parallel lines, from the highest to the lowest part of the 

 ground. This will be found sufficient for the stiffest and 

 wettest land ; but inasmuch as, unless there be a natural 

 drainage perfectly effective in itself, all ground requires 

 draining, or is at the least the better for it, this rather 



