t5~i THE FRUIT GARDEN. ' 



SECT. IIL 



ON SITUATIONS AND SOILS FOR ORCHARDS. 



Before proceeding to plant an orchard, it becomes 

 necessary to think well of its situation and soil, and 

 what prospect there is of ultimate success. 



With respect to private orchards, it is often ne- 

 cessary, and always proper, provided there be scope^ 

 and the soil be answerable, to connect them with 

 the kitchen-garden. In this case, if the ground be 

 not natin-ally sheltered, care must be taken to do so, 

 in as effectual a manner as possible, by plantations 

 of forest trees or hardy shrubs, placed so as to screen 

 the fruit-trees from heavy, and from prevailing 

 winds. The orchard may be placed on any side of 

 the kitchen-garden most suitable to the cast of the 

 ground, and according to conveniency ; or it may 

 lie all round the garden, either simply as an orch- 

 ard, or as an orchard combined with the shrubbry. 



The latter method is a very good way of obtain- 

 ing fruit, without lessening the pleasure-garden, in 

 cases where ground is scarce or valuable, or where 

 economy is an object. Indeed, by growing fruit- 

 trees among shrubbry, the value and beauty of the 

 pleasure-garden is greatly enhanced. In spring, the 

 blossoms of fruit trees charm us ; and in autumn, 

 the fruit delight us. I have planted several or- 

 chards in this way, which have given general satis^ 

 faction. 



