70 PROFITABLE FRUIT-GROWING. 



not practicable, plant the trees on mounds above 

 the general level, and keep the soil covered with 

 manure, especially in summer, for attracting and 

 retaining the roots near the surface, for if this is 

 dry in hot weather, they will go downwards to 

 the water, and remain there to the detriment of the 

 trees. There may not be much choice as to site, 

 but if there are damp hollows and higher and drier 

 ground, choose the latter, as the roots will be 

 warmer, and the blossoms have a better chance of 

 escaping injury by frost, for the drier the air the 

 less they are damaged. 



Purchasing Trees. First look to the charac- 

 ter and position of the vendors, and deal with 

 those who have reputations to maintain. They 

 cannot afford to sell inferior trees, or what is of 

 vital importance, distribute varieties under wrong 

 names. It is a very serious matter to grow fruit 

 trees for some years, then, when they bear, find 

 they are not the sorts ordered, but inferior. Time 

 thus lost cannot be regained. Order early in Oc- 

 tober, and the sooner the trees arrive and are 

 planted after the leaves fall the better they will 

 grow. Many are planted in spring, and answer 

 very well ; and it is better to plant just when the 

 sap commences moving and the ground is in good 

 order, than in mid -winter when it is in a cold, wet r 



