PLANTING.] 



PKACTICE OP HOETICULTUllE. 



[V&UIT TttEEI. 



CIIArTEK V. 



TUEATMKNT OF THE SmJErT ; PI-ANTINC KKI'IT TUKKS ; TIIK SORTS AM> AdKH OK I'I.ANT-1; KlSTANCEa 

 IN 1'I.ANTING ; I'LANTlMi ; TKA1.MM5 ; I'KoTKt TloN <»K TUK IIUlSSOM ; KSl'Al.l KllS. 



TREATMENT OF THE SUBJECT. 



What has, iu the preceding chapter, been 

 stated in a general way, may, in some par- 

 ticular instances, in this be repeated, when 

 speaking of tliose trees which more especially 

 belong to the fruit garden. AVo will, how- 

 ever, avoid this as far as possible, only allow- 

 iuc: ourselves to do so when we think greater 

 perspicuity will be given to the special subject 

 of which we may be treating. It has been 

 customary to treat the fruit and culinary 

 gardens as one, seeing that they are in reality 

 often both united. But it is far better to 

 keep them distinct ; although this cannot, in 

 many cases, be done because of the want of 

 space. In large establishments, however, 

 where system and order are held to be leading 

 features in the arrangement of the grounds, 

 the fruit and the kitchen gardens should be 

 separately disposed, and each complete in it- 

 self. Tliis would be a vast improvement on 

 the promiscuous mode now generally prac- 

 tised ; but, as we have said, in places of cir- 

 cumscribed dimensions this cannot be accom- 

 plished ; so, we fear, that the medley system 

 of huddling fruits and vegetables together 

 within the same enclosing walls, must still 

 be practised ; and that it must be a long time 

 before we can expect to see many examples 

 of an entire separation between the culinary 

 aud fruit gardens. 



PLANTING FRUIT TREES. 



In the formation of a garden, the selection 

 and distribution of the difi'ereut kinds of fruit 

 trees, is one of the most important and in- 

 teresting points. Those which are adapted 

 for walls, may be considered in respect to 

 their sort, tlieir fruit, the mode of planting 

 them, and the distance at which they should 

 be planted from each other. These are points 

 which ought never to be lost sight of; nor 

 should the advice of Mr. ^'^icol bo forgotten. 



" I have long made it my busineas," says this 

 practical gardener, "to per.iuado my em- 

 ployers, in the planting of new gardens and 

 orchards, to limit the varirties of fruit, in the 

 firm conviction that I was acting for their 

 interest ; for, certainly, the rago for multiply- 

 ing them, and of having a numerous collection, 

 has too much prevailed of late. It were better 

 to bo contented with a few kinds which pro- 

 duce well in most seasons, tlian to plant many 

 sorts for the sake of variety, of which a crop 

 is obtained, perhaps, once in three or in seven 

 years. It is, no doubt, of very great importance 

 to select and adapt the kinds to the climate, soil, 

 and aspect ; and, in some situations, a greater 

 variety may be planted with propriety than 

 in others. This matter must be determined 

 by existing circumstances, by the fancy of the 

 proprietor, and by the discretion of the 

 gardener." 



In Delecting the various sorts of fruit trees, 

 and distributing them along the different 

 aspects of the wall, principles should be 

 adopted, and, if correct, as far as possible 

 rigidly adhered to, and acted upon. In select- 

 ing fruits to be grown against walls, the 

 general principle is, that the more delicate 

 species of trees, such as the peach, fig, and 

 grape, should be planted in the warmest parts. 

 This ia the most congenial situation for them ; 

 whilst the next warmest part should be as- 

 sigiied to the more delicate varieties of the 

 hardier fruits, such as the cherry and pear; as 

 well as to such descriptions of the hardy 

 fruits as it may be desirable to bring to a 

 state of ripeness at a very early period. 

 Abercrombie lays it down as a rule, that the 

 best border and wall should be given to the 

 peach, the vine, apricot, fig, and nectarine. 

 These are all delicate fruits ; and the vine 

 should, iu this country, have the first place 

 in respect to aspect, as it does not readily 

 ripen out of doors north of London. Where 

 a south aspect is not to be obtained for tliese 



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