456 Of Orchards. 



ed horticulturists, Mr Thomas Andrew Knight, in England, 

 and the Earl of Dunmore, in Scotland, the public is deeply 

 indebted for their peculiar attention to this interesting sub- 

 ject ; and such is the success that has already attended their 

 labours, that our countrymen, of the next generation, may 

 enjoy fruits from standards, even in village and cottage gar- 

 dens, equal in quality to the best that can at present be pro- 

 cured, from the costly walled gardens of our nobility. 



II. Of Orchards. 



It has been a subject of dispute, whether the system of oc- 

 cupying land as an orchard, is advantageous to the individual, 

 and to the public ; and whether the soil might not be more 

 usefully employed. In some situations, as in steep banks ( 446 ), 

 where they are sufficiently sheltered from cutting winds, there 

 can be no doubt, as to the superior pecuniary profit derivable 

 from orchard trees, compared with any other species of produce, 

 more especially to a small farmer, who attends personally to 

 the whole business, and whose wife and children are his assist- 

 ants ( 447 ). In various cases also, the produce of an orchard, 

 in favourable seasons, will pay the rent of the industrious cot- 

 tager ( 448 ). But whether it is a profitable appendage to a 

 large farm, and advantageous on an average of years, either 

 to the landlord or the tenant, is a different question ( 449 ). It 

 is objected to the formation of an orchard, that the returns, 

 for the first twenty years, will be small, and that it will be 

 thirty years before the landlord can put any additional rent 

 on his land, on account of his plantation. But this depends 

 upon the management. With due care, the land may be cul- 

 tivated, for several years, by the spade, with advantage to the 

 plants, and benefit to the proprietor ; as the loosening of the 

 earth, and manuring it well, are advantageous to their growth ; 

 and when the plants have got to a size to protect themselves 

 from pigs and sheep, the ground may be laid down, in good 

 heart, and become profitable pasture. 



The profit of a tenant from an apple orchard, may arise, 

 from selling the cider, either as soon as it is made ; or after 

 keeping it for some time ; or disposing of the fruit ; or using 

 the cider in his own family, in lieu of beer. 



In a good year, an acre will produce 800 gallons of cider, 

 which, at 4d. per gallon from the mill, make L.13 : 6 : 8, subject 

 to the following deductions : 20s. for tithes, 40s. for making, 

 and 10s. for gathering; total, L.3, 10s.; balance of profit 



