CHAPTER VIII. 



THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



ONE hundred trees in most cases, would furnish an am- 

 ple supply for a family, and may be selected in the fol- 

 lowing proportions :* 



15 cherry trees, at 37$ to 50 cents. 



8 apricot do 37$ 



25 pear do 37$ 



15 plum do 37$ to 20 



20 peach do 25 



5 nectarine do 25 



8 quince do 25 



4 early apple do 25 



The common nursery prices are added ; and the annual 

 interest on this sum, whether borrowed or appropriated, 

 would barely replenish a tobacco box through the year. 



Now, a fruit garden containing this number of trees, 

 ought to yield a constant supply of cherries for two months ; 

 of apricote for one month ; of pears for two months ; of 

 plums for three months ; and of peaches for two months. 



One hundred trees would do well on half an acre ; but 

 if we allow a square rod for each tree, the fruit garden 

 would only be ten rods square. Now, a lot of this size 

 may be conveniently appropriated on every farm ; and 

 where is the owner who cannot build forty rods of fence ? 

 Let him listen, however thorny shrubs would afford the 

 best protection not against quadrupeds, but Plato's " two- 

 legged featherless animals ;" and the sooner such a 

 hedge is planted the better. 



In some region* some of the*e fruits will not thrive. 



