CULTURE OF FRUIT-TREES. 113 



If' they have been long out of the ground, before they are 

 planted they should be placed in water, with their heads erect, 

 the roots only immersed, by means of which the roots will be- 

 come ^welled and prepared to imbibe nourishment from the 

 earth. 



In planting, regard should be had to the nature of the soil ; 

 if it be cold and moist, the trees should be planted very shal- 

 low ; if a hard rock, or gravel, it will be better to raise a hill 

 of earth, where each tree is to be planted, than to dig into the 

 rock or gravel, and fill it up with earth, as too often practised ; 

 by which means they have not sufficient room to extend their 

 roots. The earth witli which the hole is filled up, should be 

 broken with the spade, that it may fall between every root, so 

 as to leave no hollow places in the earth. In transplanting 

 trees, especially large ones, Mr. Forsyth considers it to be of 

 great consequence that they be placed in the same position, 

 having the same parts facing the same points of compass as 

 before they were removed. 



In deciding on the proper distance of trees in an orchard, it 

 should be considered that they should be set so far apart that 

 their limbs will not be likely to interfere with each other, 

 when they arrive at their full growth. 



In a soil best suited to their growth, in which they will be- 

 come largest, thirty-five, or even forty feet will not be too 

 much. 



It is said that after an orchard is planted, it is best to keep 

 the land continually in tillage, until the trees have begun to 

 bear plentifully.* But great care should be taken that the 

 roots be not disturbed by ploughing, nor the bark on the stems 

 of the trees wounded ; and the ground near the trees which 

 the plough leaves, should be broken and made mellow with 

 the spade, for two or three years, before the roots have far 

 extended* 



* Any use to which an orchard should >)e appropriated, besides 

 that of procuring fruit, must depend on the condition of the farm. 

 It may be expedient to appropriate it to pasture the fore part of 

 the season, or to meadow ; but the growth of the trees when cir- 

 cumstances wil! admit, is best promtted by tilla§;e, as above 

 directed. 



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