SITUATIONS FOR ORCHARDS. 157 



whether of situation or of soil. Let liim cast about 

 the old monasteries, and learn tlieir histories ; — 

 where stands the finest old pear tree ? what kinds 

 prevail in the neighbourhood ? &c. 



Many of the Clydesdale orchards, (which are 

 very productive), are admirably situated in this 

 manner : — either on sloping banks, exposed to the 

 south, east, or west sun, which are naturally shel- 

 tered by the windings of the river bank, or artifi- 

 cially, by plantations ; or in flat or hollow ground, 

 lying between the banks and the river, where they 

 are completely sheltered, and where the soil is ex- 

 cellent. Such situations are worthy of imitation ; 

 and many rivers in the country, in better climates, 

 afford opportunities equally good, to those who may 

 have it in contemplation to plant. 



Most fruit-trees, as observed in the preceding sec- 

 tion, will thrive in loamy earth, of a midiing tex- 

 ture, provided it lie on a wholesome substratum, 

 and be of a competent depth. Large tracts of such 

 soil are to be found, and often, also, in good situa- 

 tions. But we frequently meet w^ith an excellent 

 situation for an orchard, where the soil is various ; 

 where some is good, and some very indifferent. In 

 such a case, it becomes necessary to improve the 

 bad soil ; and in planting, to suit the kinds of fruits 

 to the nature of the different soils contained in the 

 intended orchard. 



It would be in vain to plant where the bottom is 

 not naturally dry, or is capable of being rendered 

 so by draining. Therefore the wet or spouty spots 

 ,«ihould be carefully drained in the first place, and 



