234 VILLA GARDENING PAP.T III 



any choice in the matter, is of great importance, as I have often 

 observed orchards where, from various local causes, the trees 

 had no chance of doing their best. A gentle declivity trending 

 southwards forms the best position, or it may have a bearing to 

 right or left of a full southern exposiu'e. The top of a hill or 

 plateau is not so good, because of the absence of shelter, which in 

 fruit cidtiu'e is all-important ; neither is the base of a hill, nor 

 the low ground in a valley, suitable ; for though there we might 

 find places sheltered from wind, yet the late spring frosts will 

 destroy the blossoms and dispel the fruit-grower's hopes of profit. 

 As regards shelter from cold winds, belts or clumps of trees at a 

 safe distance are beneficial, and a good thick Thorn hedge close- 

 by has special merits. Whoever plants orchards or fruit gardens 

 must seriously consider this question. If shelter has to be 

 improvised, which in many cases it will, the best and cheapest is 

 living tree and shrub growth, and there is no reason why the 

 shelter belts and groups should not assume an ornamental character 

 suitable to the place. As I have already hinted, the thick Thorn 

 hedge in the small garden will be a great help. In more extended 

 places, where a space of some 20 feet or 30 feet or more in width 

 can be spared on the windward side, a feature possessing both 

 ornament and utility may be speedily created. One of the best 

 trees for resisting sea winds is the Wych Elm. It is tough and 

 pliable, grows rapidly, and bears pruning. Here then we have 

 a tree which, for the most exposed situations, may be trusted to 

 face anything in the way of wind. Fast-growing evergreens, such 

 as Hollies, Laurels, Yews, Boxes, intermixed with Standard 

 Thorns, a bright rosy -cheeked Apple, or a Laburnum to give 

 elevation and variety, may fomi a serpentine belt, or be arranged 

 in irregular groups at the will or pleasure of the planter, without 

 formality or stiffness. 



Soil and Preparatory Work. — It is admitted on all hands 

 that a loamy or, in other words, a mixed soil, is the best for fruit 

 cultm-e ; and provided it is deep enough, the character of the sub- 

 soil is perhaps of less importance. I may explain that loam is a 

 mixture of clay and sand, is light or heavy according as one 

 or the other predominates, and takes its character chiefly from 

 the rock formation of the neighbourhood or district. In selecting 

 the site of a garden, if Ave think of growing fruit largely, we should 

 carefully examine the character of the soil, and especially its depth. 

 For though, as regards a few wall or other pet trained-trees, the soil 

 can be improved or made entirely, yet at the best the game is hardly 

 worth the candle, and such trees call for incessant attention. I do 

 not say that this attention may not be advantageously given where 



