212 On Orchards. 



I have- tried several of Mr. Coxe's modes. I was 

 JDersuaded to adopt the mode No. 5, of deep holes, to 

 supercede the necessity of stakes ; and under the idea 

 which I am told is adopted in east Jersey, viz. that the 

 growth would be accelerated. But I did not mix lime 

 with the dung; for I know this to be a sure way of ren- 

 dering parts of the dung inoperative. Many of my 

 trees died, eaten by vermin ; or perished by other mis- 

 fortunes. The shallow planting (and if any thing is 

 put in the holes, it should be the surface mould, well 

 rotted compost, or rich native earth) always succeeds 

 the best. Top dressing far exceeds any other applica- 

 tion of manure : in this 1 include plaister. My old TFii'' 

 temberg gardener, who lived many years in the Duke's 

 service at Stutgard^ is the most lucky in planting trees, 

 of any one I have known. This branch of his trade 

 seems to be his fort. He always plants shallow, and 

 gives a top dressing. Some of my deep planted trees 

 are, however, very flourishing; after dwindling at first. 



Whether or not they shoot out roots near the surface, 

 I do not know. Wheat will do this, if planted too 

 deep ; and what is below tlie roots thus sent forth, will 

 perish. But trees are diiferently organized. 



Mr. Coxe's No. 9 reminds me of a fact forty years 

 old. I had a fine nursery then of my own ; as the bu- 

 siness of nursery men, was not then followed as it is 

 now. I determined to plant a tolerably large orchai'dj 

 which is now in good condition. I selected the most 

 thriving, clean barked, and healthy apple trees, from my 

 own nursery ; and they were really handsome and heal- 

 thy trees. I procured some equally good, from a Ger- 

 man neighbour; w^ho thought that every thing should 



