THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 



313 



distances — in otiier words it stands in the centre 

 of a hexagon made of six equilateral triangles. 

 The trees are thus more equally distributed over 

 the ground than by any other arrangement ; and 

 if cultivated by the plough, the (lirrovvs may be 

 drawn in three different directions. 



The fourth order, as explained by the fiijure, 

 may be considered as rather a new proposiiioii ; 

 but where a team is to cultivate the garden, the 

 plan has some decided advantages. The spaces 

 between the rows, are wide enough for the deep- 

 est ploughing, though it should be more shallow 

 near the trees, and in no case come close enough 

 to touch them. A lighter plough with one horse 

 walking in the last furrow, however, may continue 

 the work, and save much manual labor. And 

 where nutriment is so near, the roots will soon 

 find it. 



To lay out the garden according to this plan 

 draw the line for the first row, one rod from the 

 fence ; then leave a space two rods wide, and 

 draw another line ; and so on till the fifth row be 

 completed, which will be one rod from the fence 

 on the opposite side. This distance will allow 

 room enough to plough between the trees and the 

 lence, and for them not to hang over and tempt 

 prowlers to reach the fruit ori tiptoe. 



Now 10 rods are 165 feet, and 32 substracted 

 Jeave 133 feet, the distance between the first and 

 last trees in the row. For 20 trees, 19 intervening 

 spaces are wanted ; and 19 into 133 give seven 

 feet for each space. The trees though crowded 

 lengthwise, will find ample room to spread late- 

 rally ; and our experience is decidedly in favor of 

 this method. 



It has been found very useful to keep swine 

 and poultry in the fruit garden, on account of 

 their services in destroying insects, and espe- 

 cially the curculio. In many instances no other 

 protection has been necessary ; but where the 

 garden is large, the jsZum, apricot, anA nectarine 

 should be planted in the same quarter, so that the 

 hogs, if wanted, may be confined amongst them 

 for a lime. Cherries, and even peaches, would 

 also receive benefit from their presence, though 

 these fruits generally suffer less from this insect 

 than the former sorts. Cherry trees, however, 

 should stand near together, so that from a central 

 seat, a load of shot may protect them. We do 

 not mean that all birds fond of cherries should be 

 destroyed, but only such as take more than a rea- 

 sonable sfiare, or that render no services in return. 



Many people have a prejudice in favor of birds 

 that no well balanced mind should entertain. 

 " Denizens of the air," have no more right to 

 our property than denizens of the earth. Plun- 

 derers on two legs are not more respectable than 

 plunderers on four legs ; and cedar birds are enti- 

 tled to no more regard than rats, unless personal 

 beauty can atone lor moral deformity. 



Ornithologists often become partial to the sub- 

 jects of their study, and side with them against 

 ihe farmer and the gardener— magnifying their 

 services and overlooking their trespasses. The 

 laborer, indeed, may drive the geese from his cab- 

 bages, throw stones at the crows, and even shoot 

 a hawk — but not the birds that devour his 

 cherries ? 



An amiable writer, in reference to such visiters, 

 says, " Such has been the security they have felt 

 in our grounds, and so great their increase, that 

 Vol.. X.-40 



not only cherries, gooseberries, and currants, but 

 apples, pears, and plums, have been ravaged ; and 

 it may become a matter lor serious consideration 

 whether in continuing our protection, we do not 

 risk the total loss of some of the most desirable 

 appendages to the dessert." Now if called into 

 council, our advice would be prompt and brief: 

 Treat them according to their doings. Make pies 

 of the robins, orioles, and cedar birds — one chicken 

 is worth a dozen of them for business ; but save 

 and protect the blue birds, warblers, and sparrows 

 — these are always our Iriends. 



Stunted trees always produce smaller fruit than 

 when the same kind grows on vigorous branches ; 

 but the fruit suffers in flavor as well as in size. 

 The trees should therelbre be planted in deep beds 

 of fertile soil. In dry seasons, more especially, 

 this provision is of great importance ; and young 

 trees treated in this manner are not only more 

 likely to live, but grow much faster, bear much 

 sooner, and bear much belter fruit than on sterile 

 land. All our observations go to justify these 

 remarks. 



When young trees are taken from the nursery, 

 inquiry is olten made how soon they will come into 

 bearing 1 It is a very proper question, and it 

 would be a proper answer to say : Very much 

 according to the treatment they shall get. When 

 they are set in holes cut out of a sod, just large 

 enough to receive the roots with some crowding, 

 and are then lelt to take care of themselves, we 

 have no right to expect them to come soon into 

 bearing nor to bear much when they do. Neither 

 half starved cows, nor half stafved trees will be 

 found profitable. In the latter case especially, 

 the interest on the purchase money is generally 

 lost lor some years, and not unlrequently the pur- 

 chase too ; but we hardly ever lose a tree in good 

 condition, set in mellow ground which is kept 

 mellow. 



The holes for the trees should be not less than 

 four feet diameter and fifteen inches deep, but a 

 greater breadth and depth is desirable. Place 

 the soil round the brink of the hole, ready for 

 filling in again ; but scatter the harder subsoil 

 back out of the way. The hole should then be 

 filled with the best earth, and rise a few inches 

 above the general surlace on account of its set- 

 tling, first mixing three or lour shovellLils of 

 chip-dirt with the part that is to come in imme- 

 diate contact with the roots. It helps to keep 

 the ground loose and moist, besides yielding much 

 nutriment to the trees. 



The roots of the trees when taken from the 

 nursery should be carefully guarded against dry- 

 ir.g ov freezing. If such care, however, has not 

 been taken, bury the frozen roots in the ground 

 before they can thaw, and plunge the dried roots 

 with several feet of the main stem into water, to 

 soak there from 12 to 24 hours, till the moisture 

 is sufficiently restored. 



In planting, spread out the roots carefully, and 

 let tlie best point against the strongest winds. 

 Fine or mellow earth should fill up all the spaces 

 between the roots, so that every fibre shall come 

 in contact with it on every side ; and in order to 

 accomplish this intention more perfectly, throw in 

 a paillul ot' water when the roots are covered, to 

 wash the! earth down, and to fill up every interstice.* 



* Au experienced horticulturist says, nine-tenths 



