48 CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT 



northern exposures, which are not so early present- 

 ed to the vivifying influence of the sun, remain, as 

 it were, in a torpid state until the more advanced 

 period of the spring, when all danger of vegetation 

 being checked, is over." I have long entertained 

 the opinion, says Mr. Yates, that an orchard, expos- 

 ed to the north, where the ground in the spring of 

 the year continues longer bound by frost, which re- 

 tards the vegetation, would be preferable to one 

 bearing an easterly or southern aspect, where the 

 sap-juice is sooner in motion, and accelerated by 

 the rays of the sun. The rows of trees in an or- 

 chard ought to incline to a point of compass towards 

 the east ; because the sun will shine upon them early 

 in the forenoon, and thus dissipate the vapours 

 which arise during the vernal nights, and stint the 

 fruit in the earlier stages of its growth. The trees 

 should be arranged in uniform straight rows, as be- 

 ing most convenient to the husbandman, and at the 

 same time exhibiting the most pleasing view to the 

 tasteful eye. The distance in the rows or squares, 

 \v 11 depend on the size and form of the full grown 

 tree, and on various other circumstances connected 

 with the future intentions and views of the proprie- 

 tor. In every instance, however, the distance should 

 be such as to prevent the extreme branches from 

 locking into each other when attained to full matu- 

 rity of growth. Miller, an experienced English 

 horticulturalist, says, when the soil is good, the dis- 

 tance should be fifty or sixty feet, and where the 

 soil is not so good, forty feet may be sufficient. 

 Lawson, who wrote in 1626, observes, that in a 

 good soil and under proper management, apple trees 

 will, in forty or fifty years, spread twelve yards 

 on each side ; and the adjoining tree spreading 

 as much, gives twenty-four yards, or seventy-two 

 feet, and the roots will extend still further. He 

 therefore recommends that apple trees be set at 

 the distance of eighty feet from each other. The 



