16 PROFITABLE FRUIT-GROWING. 



Large stations are important for planting in 

 the positions indicated. The soil should be broken 

 up to a depth of two feet, and a width of six 

 feet or more, removing a few barrowfuls of the 

 subsoil, if inferior, and adding better, taken from 

 the surface elsewhere, preferably of a turfy nature. 

 Grass should not grow within two feet of the stems 

 for a few years, nor weeds, but a thick covering of 

 manure spread on in the autumn, and there left to 

 decay, will do good. The trees must be staked, 

 taking particular care that the ligatures are kept 

 from the bark with a few soft willow twigs between 

 the stem and the stake. These prevent abrasion, 

 while admitting air, thus the stem is not made 

 tender, and liable to be affected by canker. 



It is also absolutely necessary to prevent the 

 stems being nibbled by rabbits or sheep. A few 

 stakes driven down, straight straw bound round 

 them, and this smeared with tar occasionally, 

 will render them safe. So will furze or briers if 

 tied round them, or dry plasterer's laths. Trees in 

 open paddocks should have stems not less than six 

 feet high, and fenced against cattle ; three posts of 

 larch or oak firmly planted triangularly, and their 

 tops slanting outwards, with a few battens nailed 

 across from post to post, will answer the purpose. 

 If the posts are well charred before insertion, 



