8 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 



A good strong loamy soil, not too retentive of moisture, 

 to the depth of thirty inches, or three feet, is most suitable 

 for an orchard. Great attention must be paid to the sub- 

 stratum, as the ground inusfr be well drained ; for if the top 

 soil be ever.' so gpd, apd;- 0?$ bottom wet, it is very rarely 

 the ca^e tha jhe^rees .prosper mzmy years ; they soon begin 

 to bQ '4teeas;e(( iafod 'g<X to; decay/ As it is so indispensably 

 necessary to the success of fruit trees that the bottom should 

 be dry, if it is not naturally so, it must be made so by judi- 

 cious diaining. 



When it is necessary to make the bottom dry by draining, 

 it must be done some time before the trees are planted. In 

 performing this work, the ground must be trenched, and 

 when the trench is open, stone, or brick-bats, &c., must be 

 laid over the bottom to the thickness of six inches, a little 

 coal ashes, or small gravel, must be sprinkled over the top 

 of the stones, &c., and then the surface gently rolled. 

 Drains may also be made in different directions, so that any 

 excess of moisture can be taken entirely away from the 

 ground. 



It is well known to most cultivators, that exposure of soils 

 to the atmosphere greatly improves them, as is experienced 

 by ridging and trenching. Where the soil is stiff and stub- 

 born, small gravel, sand, coal ashes, lime, light animal and 

 vegetable manure, and other light composts, are very appro- 

 priate substances to be applied, and will, if carefully managed 

 and well worked into the ground, soon bring it into a proper 

 condition for most purposes. 



Previous to laying out an orchard or fruit garden, the soil 

 should be manured and pulverized to a great depth. It 

 should be made sweet, that the nutriment which the roots 

 receive may be wholesome ; free, that they may be at full 

 liberty to range in quest of it ; and rich, that there may be 

 no defect in food. 



If orchards are made from meadows or pasture lands, the 

 ground should be improved as much as possible by manur- 



