21 



the surface of the land kept free from 

 herbage, wliich not only feeds on the Uuid, 

 but in a great measure prevents the tree 

 from receiving the moisture so necessary 

 to its growth. Let any one now contrast 

 tlie change of scene the plant is doomed 

 to endure, even with all the advantages 

 of good roots, and consider if it has a 

 fair chance of succeedino;. 



When land is intended to be converted 

 into orchard, the places where the trees 

 are to stand, should, as soon as conveni- 

 ence will admit, be marked, and for 

 the space of six feet over, the ground 

 should be trenched as deep as the soil 

 will admit it, and the longer this is done 

 before planting the better ; and even so if 

 it becomes necessary to take a crop off 

 the land in the mean time, previously to 

 planting *. If the nature of the situation 



* It would appear strange to any person who 

 understood a little of agriculture, and who had but 

 lately arrived in this country, if he were to view 

 the present state of our orchards, particularly if 

 he had read any description of this subject that was 



century or rrore old. I have in my library an 



