50 GENERAL PEINCIPLES. 



In treating of the different classes of fruits, we shall 

 refer to the particular soils best adapted to them. 



Section 2. — Different Modes of Improving Soils. 



In regard to depth, soils vary materially, some being 

 not oyer eight or ten inches in depth of surface, others a 

 foot, while in deep alluyial valleys they are often two feet. 

 For orchard and garden purposes, a dee2J soil is quite 

 essential to enable the roots to penetrate freely in search 

 of food, and to enable them to withstand the demands of 

 protracted droughts. Few soils in their ordinary condition 

 of farm culture are, in this respect, suitable for trees. 

 Even where naturally deep and loamy, if the upper part 

 only (say to the depth of six inches, which is as deep as 

 most people plough) be in a friable condition, it cannot 

 be considered as in a proper state for the reception of 

 trees, for their roots cannot be confined to six inches of the 

 surface. Some means of loosening and deepening must 

 be resorted to, and what are they ? 



1. SUBSOIL PLOUGHING. 



This is the cheapest and best method, where a large 

 quantity of ground is to be prepared for extensive plant- 

 ing. The conmion plough goes first, and takes as deep a 

 furrow, as practicable. The subsoiler follows in the same 

 furrow and loosens, without turning up, the lower part 

 of the surface and a j^art of the subsoil. Except in cases 

 where the subsoil is a very stiff clay or a hard gravel 

 and near the surface, the two j)loughs can go to the depth 

 of eighteen or twenty inches. This is our mode of pre- 

 paring nursery grounds. If a single ploughing in this 

 way does not accomplish the desired end, a second may 

 be given, going down still deeper. 



