Method adopted in Planting an Orchard. 97 



manure, and so continue on until the whole is finished; if the com- 

 post appears to be of a stiff, binding nature, a few cart-loads of coarse 

 sand (and bones, if they can be iiad) will be found to be of great ser- 

 vice in keeping it open. The largest and finest grapes I ever saw 

 in England, were produced from vines growing in a compost similar 

 to what is here recommended. 



Those who wish to make such a provision for the grape vine, as 

 above stated, ought to begin to collect the materials six or eight 

 months before they will be wanted for use. 



Yours, J. W. Russell. 



Mount Auburn, Cambridge, Feb. 10th, 1835. 



(To be Continued.) 



Art. IV. Detail of a Mf.thod adopted in Planting out an Orchard 

 of six Acrrs with Apple and Pear Trees, in 1830 and 1S31 ; Deep 

 Planting dispensed with. By B. V. F. 



All the varieties of fruits known to the writer, that were deemed 

 important to the wants, or embellishments of the garden or orchard, 

 had been procured previous to the organization of the Massachusetts 

 Horticultural Society. By the formation of this excellent society, 

 however, and the exertions of several of its members, a great num- 

 ber of new and valuable fruits were brought into notice, by its exten- 

 sive correspondence with other similar societies in Europe, and on the 

 continent. Such as had been tasted, or highly recommended by the 

 committee, were deemed of sufficient value and importance to be 

 added to the selection, which embraced a large number of varieties. 

 A piece of land was decided upon, which was thought the best suited 

 for the growth and future liealth of the trees, the embellishment of 

 the place, and least liable to be encroached upon by future alterations 

 of improvements upon the farm. 



Agreeing with Dr. Johnson, that " with method, almost any thing 

 may be done, and without method, nothing well done," the follow- 

 ing system was adopted : — A plan of the land was procured ; the 

 distances from which each tree was to be placed from the other, each 

 way, was decided upon, which averaged about thirty-three feet ; a 

 reference book in connection with the plan of the land was next pro- 

 cured, and on it was designated each variety of tree, in its relative 

 position. The land was then prepared, by taking from its surface 

 all the stones, stumps, trees, shrubs, bushes, Sic, all holes or uneven 

 places were filled up, and the ground made as level as possible ; the 

 land was then ploughed deep, with the sod smoothly inverted ; it 

 was also harrowed five times lengthwise of the furrows, previous to 



VOL. I. NO. III. O 



