Cultivation of Grafs- Land. Planting Apple-Trees Diftancesproperfor. 



between each trce/will bcfufficient ; in the latter, twenty-four yards between eacli 

 row, and eight between each tree, will not be found too much, particularly if the 

 ground is intended for tillage after the trees have grown to a confiderable fize. 

 An opinion rather generally prevails atprefentin favour of planting fingle trees, 

 at twenty or twenty-five yards diftance from each other, on arable grounds ; and 

 fpecious reafons may be offered in defence of this practice : the roots, as well as 

 the branches, are at perfect liberty to extend themfelves in every direction ; but 

 the latter are every way expofed to the ftorms of autumn and to the cold winds of 

 the fpring ; and trees of more hardy kinds than the apple are well known to grow 

 much better when planted near enough to afford each other protection than when 

 totally infulated. It may be fuppofed, that trees growing in diftant rows will 

 not regularly occupy the whole furface of the ground with their roots ; but thofe 

 always extend far beyond the branches, and will meet acrofs very wide intervals. 

 The growth of every infulated tree is more low and fpreading, and confequently 

 more injurious to corn or herbage growing under it. Where the mode of culti 

 vation will admit, the rows mould always extend from north to fouth, as in this 

 direction each part of every tree will receive the moft equal portions of light and 

 heat.* 



But the diftance of the trees when planted in the field is frequently made much 

 greater than the above, as from twenty-two to twenty-four or five: and fome advifc 

 the diftance of fixty feet every way as the moft proper and advantageous.! It is 

 probable, however, that in planting at great diftances there may be inconvenience 

 in refpect to the produce, from the trees being more expofed to the cutting winds 

 and frofts. 



It is found that &quot; apple trees are generally the moft productive of fruit when they 

 are lituated near the fold-yard, and the ground in confequence much trodden and 

 manured by the cattle in the winter. The ground in which old apple-trees have 

 grown is efteemed very unfavourable to young ones. When from contiguity to the 

 houfe an orchard is planted in this kind of ground, the pear and apple fhould be 

 made to fucceed each other as has been judicioufly recommended by Mr. Mar- 

 fhall.J&quot; 



Experience has fufficiently fhown that trees of this fort are commonly &quot; raifed 



* Knight on ihe Apple and Pear. t Herefordfhire and Somerfetfliire Reports. 



Knight on the Culture of the Apph and Pear. 

 VOL. ir. 4 G 



