CHAP. V VILLA GAHDEXING 259 



that the question of discarding- them cannot now be entertained. 

 Still, it is a matter that miglit be kept in view and further evidence 

 collected. 



Soils. — All stone fruits do best in a calcareous soil, as lime is 

 a necessity for them, so much being used \vp in the manufacture 

 of the stones containing the seeds. I am convinced, from actual 

 experience, that much of the weakness of wood and blossom, and 

 the falling of the fruit during the stoning time, is owing to the 

 scarcity of lime in the soil. It is very easy to add lime or 

 chalk to a soil when needed. Some recommend it to be given in 

 the shape of old mortar rubbish mixed with the soil, others give 

 the ciiide raw chalk. Sprinklings of air-slacked lime on the 

 surfoce of the border, lightly forked in, •«"ill answer every purpose. 

 There is no doubt that turfy soil, i.e. soil full of the fibres of 

 grasses and other plants, gives a stimulus to growth, especially in 

 the early life of the tree. And if, when the encouragement from 

 that source fails (in time it must inevitably do so), fresh turf 

 could be placed round the roots, the lives of the trees might be 

 prolonged indefinitely ; but this is just the very thing which only 

 a few can do. Turfy loam is very difficult to get, as no one likes 

 to have the turf pared off their best pastures ; and to purchase such 

 material in the suburbs of towns makes fruit-growing veiy expen- 

 sive. Where loam cannot be obtained, the natural soil may be 

 improved for fruit culture by a little trouble and foresight. First 

 there are the parings from the edges of the roads and walks ; then 

 there are sure to be ditches recpiiriug to be cleared out and deep- 

 ened. Occasionally there are ponds and water-courses to be improved 

 and cleared. Then there is debris of all kinds, from the prunings 

 and cuttings of hedges, trees, and shrubs to the weeds and refuse 

 which are constantly acciunulating. If the soil is heavy, there are 

 lumps of clay, which may be exposed to the action of the fire, and 

 added to the heap of other matters to open it up and correct its 

 acidity. Wood-ashes again, may, with soot and lime, be added. 

 In this way, by looking far enough ahead, the fruit borders may 

 be made more productive without increasing the cost ; the compost 

 may be added as a toi>di'essing, or be placed round the roots when 

 lifting takes place. 



Preparing the Border. — In the first instance, or in remedy- 

 ing any neglect subsequently, if the subsoil is bad, the roots must 

 be kept out of it. This can only be eftectually done by having 

 an impervious bottom to the border — 4 inches of concrete wiU do ; 

 and if there is coarse gravel, brick rubble, or stones on the place 

 handy, then concrete will be cheapest. The bottom of the border 

 shoukl be of the right inclination to throw off the water before the 



