180 PEKMANENT PLANTATIONS. 



cherry^ the 2)each, ajyricot, nectarine, and ahnond, require 

 a light, dry, and warm soil. The best and most enduring 

 peacli orcliards are on dry, sandy loams ; but good 

 orchards are raised, with proper management, on loose, 

 light sands, though on such the trees are shorter lived, 

 and require constant care in the way of dressings of 

 manure and compost. There are two points to be ob- 

 served under all circumstances in regard to soils. They 

 must possess the inorganic substances, such as lime, pot- 

 ash, etc., that constitute a large portion of the ashes of 

 the wood and bark of fruit-trees, when burned, and a siif^ 

 ficient amount of organic matter — vegetable mould, which 

 dissolves, and furnishes material for the formation and 

 growth of new parts. People who have been long en- 

 gaged in the culture of the soil can judge pretty cor- 

 rectly of its quality by its appearance, texture, subsoil, 

 and the character of the rocks and stones that underlie 

 and prevail in it. 



3d. P>-eparation of Soil for an Orchard. — The season 

 before planting, the soil should be at least twice plowed 

 with a common and subsoil plow, enriched with suitable 

 composts, and drained, if necessary. 



4th. Inclosures. — Before a tree is planted, it is neces- 

 sary that the ground be inclosed with a fence, sufficient 

 to protect it against the invasion of animals. It is no 

 uncommon thing to hear people regret that the cattle 

 broke into the orchard and destroyed many trees. Indeed, 

 it frequently happens that more damage is done in this 

 way than, if duly estimated, would have fenced the whole 

 orchard. There is much inquiry nowadays on the sub- 

 ject of fences, and various plans and materials are sug- 

 gested and tried. Live hedges are unquestionably the 

 most ornamental and appropriate inclosures for extensive 

 plantations of fruit-trees, and in time will, no doubt, be 

 generally adopted. Hitherto the failure of many plants 

 tried, and the cost and difficulty of obtaining others, have 



