SITUATIONS FOR ORCHARDS. 155 



In bleak situations, and yet where it is wished to 

 rear an orchard ; and in cases where ground cannot 

 be obtained, on which to plant distant screen plan- 

 tations; it is an excellent method to intermix hardy 

 shrubs and forest-trees among the fruit-trees, which 

 act as nurses to them, and defend them from the 

 bad eifects of the weather. But in this case care 

 must be taken to thin away the shrubs in proper 

 time, especially from the interior of the orchard; re- 

 serving, however, a screen of hardy trees or shrubs 

 all round the margins, or on the sides most exposed. 



Jn less bleak situations, it may be proper to plant 

 an outer row, or a double row, of hardy trees, shrubs, 

 or fruits, (as hazel, walnut, chesnut, &c.), when it 

 may be thought improper to intermix the whole or- 

 chard with shrubs ; but when the fruit-trees are to 

 be planted at double thickness, as hinted at below, 

 these would act as an outer screen, and be very 

 useful. Indeed, few situations occur, where it is 

 not necessary to be at less or more pains in rearing 

 screens for the orchard ; which never can be too 

 well sheltered, if it be not shaded from the sun. 



With respect to the situations of public orchards, 

 more latitude is to be taken. They are often spread 

 over large districts of country, and are sometimes 

 to be found in solitary situations ; yet not always on 

 account of the superior quality of the soil, or the 

 excellence of exposure. These orchard tracts, no 

 doubt, have arisen out of small beginnings, and in 

 many instances have spread themselves out of ham- 

 let-gardens, where fruit-trees have been planted by 

 ihe cottagers, and have, by their care and attention^. 



