218 O-n Orchards. 



the introduction of the finest table and Uquor fruits of 

 Europe and America, into an extensive orchard estab- 

 lishment on my lands in the vicinity of this towTi. 1 

 therefore determined to ascertain the truth of the opinion 

 by a series of experiments. These I have executed 

 with care ; and the result has perfectly convinced me^ 

 that young orchards thrive in proportion to the good- 

 ness of the soil, and the degree of cultivation bestowed 

 on them ; that the injury they sustain from grass or 

 gi'ain, depends on the extent to which the particular 

 growth or nature of that grass or grain, may prevent 

 the communication of moisture and nourishment to the 

 roots of the trees from the earth or atmosphere : that 

 so far as clover produces this effect, it is injurious ; but 

 that it has nothing in its nature peculiarly deleterious. 

 On the contrary, its long tap roots penetrating and di- 

 viding the soil encreases very much its capacity to 

 nourish the roots of the trees ; and did it not afford an 

 inviting food to field mice and moles, it would be found 

 less pernicious to orchards than any permanent grass, 

 or any species of grain which shall be permitted to ar- 

 rive at full maturity on the ground, buckv/heat alone 

 excepted. The point of most importance in the plant- 

 ing of young trees, is to preserve the roots so near the 

 surface of the eaith, that by keeping the soil around 

 them in a loose and mellow state, free from weeds, 

 grain or grass, they may feel the salutary influence of 

 the sun, air and rain ; the last of which in our dry cli- 

 mate is particularly essential to their success, for seve- 

 ral years after planting ; for this reason all kinds of fal- 

 low crops, such as potatoes, vines and Indian corn, par- 

 ticularly the last, ai'e peculiarly adapted to the first and 



