44 NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 



retentive soils which, however, should be avoided unless 

 they can be thoroughly drained the business had better 

 stand over till Spring; but the ground may be rough trenched 

 and left exposed to the "Winter frosts and rain, and be much 

 improved for planting purposes ; and then planting may be 

 continued up to the end of August or first week in Sep- 

 tember, after which the work should cease. Nothing can be 

 more injurious, either to the present or future success of 

 the trees, than to bury the roots away from the influence of 

 heat and air ; so long as the roots are sufficiently covered, 

 so as not to be exposed to the direct influence of the air, 

 they have all that is necessary for their prosperity. There 

 are, however, some essential points to be kept in view in 

 forming an orchard, which, if not attended to, must lead to 

 failure. The soil should be deep and dry ; the situation 

 should be well sheltered, if not naturally, artificial shelter 

 must be provided. 



Shelter Belts. Where space is plentiful and land 

 cheap, a belt of trees may be planted, extending round the 

 orchard, or at least round those portions exposed to the 

 strong prevailing winds. Cupressus Macrocarpa may be 

 planted on the outer edge, to act as nurses, to be cut out 

 when the deciduous trees have grown sufficiently. The 

 inner rows to consist of ash, oak, elms, and poplars. The belt 

 should not be less than one and a half chains wide ; the trees 

 to be planted in alternate rows ] ] -| A row of walnuts may 

 be planted next the orchard, fifty feet apart. These in them- 

 selves will form good shelter, and will yield abundant crops 

 after a few years. The inner row of shelter trees should 

 be at least one hundred feet from the fruit trees. Deciduous 

 trees are recommended for shelter belts for orchards, for 

 the reason that while evergreen trees answer admirably in 

 Summer, they shelter the fruit trees too much from the blasts 

 of Winter, thereby offering a safe refuge for blights of all 

 kinds. 



Number of Varieties to Plant The majority of 

 fruit-growers cultivate too many kinds of apples. Ascertain, 

 if possible, what kinds have been proved by experience best 

 adapted to soils similar to your own, and then confine your- 

 self to a few of the best varieties. 



