THE FKUIT GARDEN. 197 



should also be sheltered from the north and west winds. 

 The former are destructive to the blossoms in spring, 

 and the latter frequently blow off the fruit before its 

 maturity. In sections of the country subject to late 

 spring frosts, an elevated situation is to be preferred, as 

 in the case of orchards. A full eastern or southern aspect 

 should be avoided, because in both the sun's rays strike 

 the trees while the frost is upon them, and produce in- 

 juries that would be avoided in other aspects. Where 

 artificial shelter is required, a belt of rapid-growing trees, 

 composed of evergreens and deciduous trees mixed, should 

 be planted on the exposed side, but at such a distance as 

 to obviate any difficulty that might arise from the injuri- 

 ous effects of shade, or from the roots entering the gar- 

 den. Such a belt of trees might, at the same time, be 

 made to impart a pleasing and highly ornamental appear- 

 ance to the grounds. 



2d. The Soil is a most important consideration. As in 

 a garden a general collection of all the fruits is to be 

 grown, and that in the highest state of perfection, the 

 soil should be of that character' in its texture, depth, and 

 quality, best adapted to general purposes. It should not 

 only be suitable for the apple and the pear, but for the 

 peach, the cherry, and the plum a good, deep, friable 

 loam, with a gravelly clay subsoil, and entirely free from 

 stagnant moisture. In this country, our warm summers 

 and frequent, protracted drouths render a deep soil for 

 a garden absolutely necessary. The means for deepening, 

 drying, improving, and changing the character of soils 

 have been already pointed out under the general head of 

 Soils, and need not be repeated here. Suffice it to say, 

 that it will always be found true economy to be liberal in 

 the first preparation of the soil; for after a garden is laid 

 out and permanently planted, improvements are always 

 made with greater difficulty and expense. 



Inclosures. The cheapest and most ordinary kind of 



