SFSTEMS OF CULTURE ORCHARDING PREPARING THE LAND. 269 



expenses attending valuation for unexhausted improvements. In making agreements it 

 must be remembered that the interest of the tenant in the land exceeds that of the 

 landlord, for the tenant has all risks to bear whilst the landlord is practically secured 

 against loss. 



Draining. The necessity or otherwise for this must be determined by the instructions 

 given on page 33, Vol. I., and, if found necessary, be carried out according to the con- 

 ditions there advised. The expense varies with the nature of the soil and subsoil, 

 distance between the drains, price of pipes, and distance of carriage, the total outlay per 

 acre for draining heavy soils ranging from 5 5s. to 8 ; medium soils from 4 5s. 

 to 5 10s. ; and light soils from 3 5s. to 5 per acre. 



Fencing. Quickset hedges are formed by planting strong thorns or quicks 4J inches 

 apart ; price for strong quicks, 1 10s. to 1 15s. ; extra strong, 2 to 2 10s. per 

 thousand. The ground for the hedge must be well prepared by trenching and levelling, 

 this costing about 3d. per yard run. Forming a bank for the quicks, including ditch, 

 costs about 6d. per yard run. Guard fences for quickset : 2 oak cleft rails with posts 

 9 feet apart, and a stake between, 4s. per rod ; 3 oak rails, 6s. per rod ; 3 oak rails 

 and extra stout posts, 9s. per rod. Birds, insects, and fungi are encouraged by thorn 

 hedges, which also abstract nourishment from the soil to a distance corresponding to 

 their height. Pale fencing is durable and requires no attention; cleft oak pales, 

 with 2 arris rails and oak posts 9 feet apart, fixed complete, per rod, 4 feet high, 

 1 17s. ; 5 feet, 2 6s. ; 6 feet, with 3 arris rails, 2 10s. 13arbed wire is employed 

 in legitimate positions. 



Preparing for Planting. Correct methods for this are given under Orchards, Vol. I., 

 pages 82 90. Planting in grass land is often contracted for, and varies according to 

 the size of the excavations and nature of the ground, as well as the rate of wages in 

 different parts. In friable soils and for small trees the holes are frequently only 2 or 

 3 feet over, about l to 2 feet deep, and the bottom broken with a pick or mattock ; for 

 good planting, the holes should be at least 3J feet in diameter, even where the soil is of 

 a free nature, and not less than 6 feet across where the medium is close and stiff. The 

 preparation of the stations is important and imist be well done (sec page 85, Vol. I.). 

 It is false economy to make the holes so small that a cut with the spade has to be 

 made to receive the roots extending beyond the excavations. The total cost of holing, 

 planting, staking, protecting, and manure for mulching over the roots is per acre : Small 

 holes and mellow soil, 4 ; medium-sized holes and friable loam, 6 ; large holes and 



