$0 CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT 



ORCHARD. PLANTING AND CULTURE. 



It is an object of no inconsiderable importance to 

 select the most eligible soil, situation and aspect for 

 laying out a fruit orchard. With respect to soil, ii 

 should be of a rich loamy nature, neither too wet or 

 heavy, nor too light or dry. Those fertile fields or 

 pastures which produce abundant crops of corn, grass, 

 and other vegetables, will in general be found well 

 adapted to the growth of fruit trees. But in all cases, 

 the soil should be suited to the particular kind of 

 fruit. In Herefordshire, a celebrated cider county, 

 in England, it is said to be a fact well ascertained, that 

 scions from the same tree, grafted upon similar stocks, 

 and planted in different soils, will produce cider of 

 different qualities. It is also found that the early 

 fruits obtain the greatest perfection in a sandy soil, 

 and that the late fruits succeed best when planted in a 

 strong clay. The best cider orchards are on a strong 

 clayey soil ; for it seems to be admitted that the cider 

 from trees in clay is stronger, and will keep better, 

 than cider made from trees on a sandy soil. But 

 again, as applicable to our own country. "The choice 

 of a proper soil and exposure," says Dr. Mease, (Donr. 

 Ency.) "is not sufficiently attended to in the United 

 States. Mr. Riley, of Marcus Hook, whose experience 

 in cider is inferiour to none, assures the editor, that 

 apples growing in a good loose soil, produce much 

 more rich and generous liquor than those that grow- 

 in a stiff clayey land." An orchard, says an English 

 writer, should rather be elevated than low, as on a 

 gentle declivity open to the south and southeast, to 

 give free admission to the air and rajs of the sun, as 

 well as to dry up the damp, and dissipate fogs, in or- 

 der to render the trees health}', and give a fine flavour 

 to the fruit. It should likewise be well sheltered 

 from the east, north, and westerly winds. The bios- 



