222 AN AMERICAN FARMER IN ENGLAND. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



English Orchard Districts The Most Favorable Soils and Climate Lime 

 Practical Deduction Diseases Prevention and Remedies Sugges- 

 tions. 



rTHERE are but few orchards in England, except in certain 

 * districts, and in these they abound, and are often very ex- 

 tensive. The inquiry naturally arises, What has given those 

 districts their distinction in this respect ? Have they any natural 

 advantages which makes orcharding more profitable in them 

 than in other parts of the country ? In reply, I learn, that the 

 orchard districts are all distinguished for a comparatively mild 

 climate. They are nearly all in the south and south-western 

 counties, while in the northern and eastern counties I know of 

 none. Hereford is a somewhat hilly county, and, as I have re- 

 marked, where the hills are too steep for easy cultivation, it is 

 usual to plant orchards ; but the south side of such hills is pre- 

 ferred to the north, and, even here, a crop is sometimes en- 

 tirely lost by a late and severe spring frost. A south-east slope 

 is preferred, the south-east winds being the driest I suspect 

 another reason why it is found better is, that the south-west winds, 

 coming off the ocean, are the stronger. My own observation has 

 led me to think that the apple-tree is much affected by an ex- 



