108 OF PLANTING. SECT. VIII. 



giving the roots an horizontal direction may do. It 

 has been recommended by some, to do so in all kind 

 of soil, in order to insure a more superficial spread, 

 than without such contrivance could be expected. 

 If the soil be good, (at the same time strong) above 

 any bad soil, and the roots take to run towards the 

 surface, it is surprising how trees will thus prosper. 



When planting takes place superficially, let a hil- 

 lock of earth be laid round the roots, and the tree 

 secured by a stake for two or three years to hold it 

 steady ; and keep turf or moss about the root till 

 the tree is well established. The hill may be from 

 six inches to half a yard high ; in the latter case, 

 lowering it a few inches every year in autumn till 

 within six of the root. 



In a soil that trees are found to canker in, and yet 

 otherwise diseased, it is of no use (generally speak- 

 ing) to wait their getting better; but if there is any 

 spot of a more promising quality, those that are not 

 too old and far gone may be removed there, and 

 perhaps recover ; but let the root be examined, as 

 \vell as the head, to cut out any diseased part. If 

 the shoots should be weak the first year, prune down 

 close the second, and strong wood may possibly 

 follow. 



With respect to the soil that suits every particular 

 kind of tree, there is some variety of opinions. Ge- 

 nerally speaking, a true loam suits every thing. See 

 Formation of a Garden, Sect. 3. 



The following particulars seem to v have a pretty 

 common consent. Vines love a rich dry soil, gra- 

 velly or sandy, if it does not bind. Figs like much 

 the same soil, though they need not so rich a one : 

 ashes are good in the soil for figs. Apricots flourish 

 in a light loam ; but peaches and nectarines should 

 have a somewhat strong loam, and the latter needs 

 the warmer or richer soil of the two. Pears like a 



