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soil has been originally formed, say from sixteen to eighteen inches. 

 Let the contents be thrown up in the autumn, and spread out, in order 

 to become friable by the winter's frost. In the month of March follow- 

 ing, mix this earth, as intimatehj as possible, with the dung-compost, 

 so prepared and fermented as above, turn it twice, and spread the whole 

 round each tree in the rows. 



From what I know respecting the quantity of dung employed, accord- 

 ing to the ordinary method, the largo portion of peaty earth, with which 

 it is to be mixed as above, added to the contents of the trench, I am led 

 to believe, that if very intimately mixed, it will form a mass of mate- 

 rials, well calculated to enlarge the pabulum of the trees to a considera- 

 ble extent. If the soil be clayey (which is generally the case in these 

 orchards), and sand be at no great distance, it would be a sensible im- 

 provement, to add a fourth part of that earth to the entire mass, even 

 though in a state of considerable purity, and of itself incapable of pro- 

 ducing vegetation. Let the whole mass then be regularly spread round 

 each tree, beginning at the stem, at six or eight inches deep, as you can 

 afford it, and ending at two or three inches; and lastly, let it be pointed 

 with the spade, to the depth of two inches only, into the original soil. 

 Thus, an area will be covered of twelve feet or more out from the tree, 

 or as far as the branches extend. Lastly, let the new surface be level- 

 led with the rake, and sown down with grass-seeds. 



It will suffice to give the trees a supply of fine mould such as this, 

 once in seven or eight years ; and when this is laid on, if attention be 

 paid to give the whole surface of the orchard a good top-dressing for 

 grass, in the ordinary manner, I could venture to promise, that the 

 superior produce, by the second year, in hay and fruit, will amply repay 

 the extra expense and labour attending the work. Should this expense 

 be grudged, and brought into a disadvantageous comparison with the 

 immediate return from the potatoe crop, the following method may be 

 tried. 



Let the central trench be opened, as already directed, and the contents 

 rendered friable, by a sufficient exposure to the elements. Let one- 

 fourth part of quick lime (that is, lime-shells), in the succeeding spring, 

 after being well slacked, twice turned, and brought to the most powdery 

 state possible, be applied to the contents of the trench, and intimately 

 mixed with them, observing that, by twice turning at least, the minutest 

 comminution of the parts takes place. Let this compost then be spread 

 round the stems of the trees, pointing it in with the spade, as before, 

 two inches deep, and sowing down with grass-seeds, in a similar 

 manner. 



