664 PRACTICE QF AGRICULTURE. Part III. 



side of the rising limb, for the purpose of looking along this limb to a point or rising edge {e) in its 

 extremity. The surveyor elevates this limb, until that part of the tree intended to be noticed is exactly 

 cut by the line of observation, and the angle subtended between that and the horizontal is shown upon 

 the vertical arch (/). It is here to be remarked, that the graduations upon the arch (/) are not angles 

 of altitude, but marks or graduations answering to feet and inches of a tangent line, extending from the 

 horizontal point upwards, taken at a given distance from the tree ; consequently, there are two or more 

 yows of divisions, answering to ^he several distances at which the instrument may be planted. Twenty, 

 four feet and forty-eight feet are proposed distances, and the graduations upon the arch (/) are made 

 accordingly. For lofty trees, the longer distance is to be used ; but for shorter trees, the distance of twenty- 

 four feet will be sufficient. The horizontal angles which are to determine the diameter of the trunk, at 

 the several points of observation, are ascertained by the limb (g), which slides laterally upon an arch or 

 graduated pTate {h) divided upon the same {Principles as the arch (/). The limbs (6) or (e) being fixed, so as 

 to coincide with one side of the trunk, the limb {g) is then moved until it coincides with the other side of 

 the trunk, and the angle subtended between the two shows, by the graduated plate (A), the diameter in feet 

 and inches of the triink at the points of observation. The length of the trunk, and its diameter in the 

 several parts, being thus ascertained by the improved instrument, recourse must then be had to tables, cal- 

 culations, or the ordinary sliding rule, for the purpose of obtaining from these admeasurements, the solid 

 content of timber in each portion of the tree. There are adjusting screws, and circular racks and pinions 

 for moving the limbs of the instrument, and altering their position, as circumstances may require ; and 

 when crooked arms, or bent parts of the trunk present themselves, the instrument may he turned upon 

 its pin, in the bal^ at tjie ^op of th^ stem (a), and used in an inclined position. {Newton^s Jour, vol ix. 

 p. 360.) , , t . . , 



4077. The pric^ of timber, like that of every other article in general use, varies with 

 the supply and demand, and is easily ascertained from the timber-merchants at the 

 different sea-ports^ as is that of bark, charcoal, and fire- wood, from the tanners and 

 coal-merchants. 



4078. The usual modes of disposing of timber frees are, selling the trees standing, 

 by auction, by receiving written proposals, or by bargain and sale ; 2d, cutting 

 down the trees, and selling them in the rough, by either of these methods ; 3d, con- 

 verting the fallen trees; that is, cutting them up into the planks or pieces to which 

 they are best adapted, or which are most eligible in the given situation. The first method 

 seems the best, especially on a large scale, and also for the disposal of copse wood or 

 osier crops. 



V. 1 JO < i< ^1' Formrttion and Management of Orchards* 



'i (< ^'-jnij ' r - ^ '. . ^ . 



4079. The formation of orchards is to be considered among the permanent improve- 

 ments, of an estate ; and should be kept in view in its first arrangement or laying out. No 

 temporary occupier could afford to plant an orchard without extraordinary encouragement 

 from his landlord. Orchards in this respect may be ranked with timber plantations, 

 and both subjects together agree in belonging equally to agriculture and gardening. 

 Orchards have doubtless existed in Britain for many ages as appendages to wealthy 

 religious eistablishnients ; but, as objects of farming or field culture, they do not appear 

 to have been adopted till about the beginning of the seventeenth century. (Laioson.) 

 They were then introduced by Lord Scudamore in Herefordshire, in which county, and 

 in such parts of those adjoining as exhibit a red marly soil, are the best farm orchards in 

 England. The chief produce of tliese orchards is cider and perry ; but as these liquors 

 are not in very general demand in this country, and are confessedly less wholesome and 

 nourishing than malt liquors, their formation cannot be carried to any great extent. 

 It seems desirable, however, that orchards of moderate size should be as generally intro- 

 duced as possible ; as the use of the fruit in pies, tarts, and sauces would add considerably 

 to the comforts of the lower classes. Besides, there are some situations, as steep sheltered 

 banks of good soil, which cannot be so profitably employed in any other branch of hus- 

 bandry. The subject of orchards may be considered in regard to soil and situation, sorts 

 of trees, planting, culture, and the manufacture or disposal of the produce. 



Sect. I. Soils and Situations most suitable for Orchards. 



4080. The sites of all the best apple orchards, and all the chief cider districts, have been 

 discovered by W. Smith to be on the same stratum of red marl which stretches across 

 the island from Dorsetshire to Yorkshire. Fruit of no kind, indeed, can be raised with 

 much success on a soil that does not contain in its composition a portion of calcareous 

 matter : though apple trees will thrive well on any description of clay which has a dry 

 bottom, and pears and plums on any dry-bottomed soil whatever. 



4081. The most desirable aspect is unquestionably a somewhat elevated and naturally 

 sheltered declivity, open to the south and south-east ; but, as the author of The Hereford- 

 shire Survey remarks, orch^-ds are now found " in every aspect, and on soil of every 

 quality, and under every culture." The most approved site, he says, is that which is 

 open to the south-east, and sheltered in other points, but particularly in that opposite. 



