LECT. vi PLANTING VEGETABLES AND FRUITS 93 



under medical advice, as an important addition to 

 that of invalids ; it is justly regarded as wholesome 

 and economical. The general demand for it is 

 steadily increasing, and every cultural point becomes 

 proportionately important. 



The basis of successful planting is the preparation 

 of the soil. Constantly are we asked by beginners 

 as to the suitability of soil for fruit culture, and our 

 answer to all is, that soil which will yield first class 

 vegetables answers equally well for fruit. This is 

 seen in the best market-gardens, in which both are 

 grown together, and grown so well too as to enable 

 the cultivators to pay rents of from 51. to 101. per 

 acre. 



This may perhaps cause some to imagine there is 

 little left for the tenants and workers ; but the fact 

 is the splendid culture adopted enables the grower to 

 derive far better profits than are obtainable from 

 low-rented, ill-managed land, and pay a far greater 

 number of men higher wages into the bargain. It is 

 sound, thoughtful, thorough work that tells, and no 

 work should be more thoughtfully and thoroughly 

 done than preparing land for planting fruit-trees. 



In fruit culture extremes must be guarded against. 

 The fault of the past has been the indiscriminate 

 planting of worthless sorts of fruit by farmers, and of 

 collections by gardeners. Selections of sorts will be 

 given in another lecture ; meanwhile let us endeavour 

 thoroughly to acquire every detail of planting and 

 cultivation in the early stages of growth. 



We may assume that the plantation soil answers 

 fully to our conceptions of rich, porous, well-drained 

 land ; that it has been well broken up by spade work 

 or other means, and is ready for the planting. 



Plant when the leaves fall, and as soon as trees can 

 bo obtained from the nursery. If the roots are at 



