Book II. SORTS OF TREES, AND MANNER OF PLANTING. 665 



Much however depends on the character of the winds of a country ; for in some parts 

 of the island, the west, and in others the east or north wind, is the most injurious to 

 vegetation. 



4082. The soil which in Herefordshire is considered best adapted to most kinds of 

 apples is a deep and rich loam when under the culture of the plough ; on this, the 

 trees grow with the greatest luxuriance, and produce the richest fruit. Some trees 

 however, the stire and the golden pippins in particular, form exceptions to this general 

 rule, and flourish most in hot shallow soils on a lime or sandstone. The best sorts of 

 pear-trees also prefer the rich loam, but inferior kinds will even flourish where the soil 

 will scarcely produce herbage. An orchard is generally raised with most success and at 

 least expense in a hop-yard, the ground under this culture being always well tilled and 

 manured, as well as fenced against every kind of enemy. 



4083. The soils and situations devoted to farm orchards in Scotland are steep clayey 

 banks sheltered from the more violent and injurious winds; and in whatever part of that 

 country such situations occur, they can scarcely be more profitably employed. Fruit 

 trees of the apple, pear, and cherry kind, especially of the hardier and tall vigorous- 

 growing vai-ieties, might be introduced in the hedge-rows of dry and moderately sheltered 

 grass-lands in most parts of the British Isles. By thus rendering these fruits universal, 

 there would be a considerable accession of enjoyment to the lower classes, and less tempt- 

 ation to break into gardens and orchards. 



4084. The commercial situation most desirable for an orchard is, of course, near a 

 market town, or near a ready conveyance to one ; because though the making of cider 

 affords a profit, yet the fruit sold for culinary or table use yields a much more consi- 

 derable one. In The Gloucestershire Report it is stated that the fruit, which would fetch 

 8/. \6s. unground, would only bring in cider 3/. 15s. 



Sect. II. Sorts of Trees, and Manner of Planting. 



4085. The most generally useful fruit that can be grown in farm orchards is the apple; 

 next the pear ; then the plum for tarts or wine ; and to these may be added the cherry, 

 filbert, walnut, chestnut, and elder. In the cider countries, where the climate is more 

 certain than in some others, it is customary to plant but a few good sorts ; and not to 

 mix above one or two sorts together in making cider : in the northern districts, on the 

 contrary, it is a maxim to plant a considerable number of different sorts, both of those 

 which blossom early and late ; because, should the blossom of one variety be destroyed 

 by a frosty wind, that of another may escape. In cold districts, it is advisable to plant 

 oi-chards in sheltered hollows, exposed to the sun, and to plant thick : but in the warmer 

 southern counties, many descriptions of cider and perry fruits may be grown to perfection 

 in the hedge-rows, or as cultured trees in permanent pastures. The fittest trees for such 

 purposes are those which grow tall, with upright shoots, and which bear fruit of a small 

 size ; such as the Siberian pippin apple, and squash teinton pear : such trees shade the 

 hedges or pastures less than the spreading kinds, and their fruit, being small, is less likely 

 to be blown down by high winds. 



4086. The most approved sorts of cider apples we have enumerated and partially described 

 in the accompanying table (4089). It will be particularly observed that some of the 

 sorts form much more handsome trees than others, and should therefore be preferred for 

 hedge-rows, and indeed in all cases where the quality of the fruit is not objectionable. 

 Some also have smaller-sized fruit than others, and these are to be preferred for situations 

 exposed to much wind. 



4087. The colours of good cider fruit are red and yellow ; the colour to be avoided is 

 green, as affording a liquor of the harshest and generally of the poorest quality. The 

 pulp should be yellow, and the taste rich and somewhat astringent. Apples of a small 

 size are always, if equal in quality, to be preferred to those of a larger, in order that 

 the rind and kernel, which contain the aromatic part, may be the more easily crushed 

 with the pulp. 



4088. The sorts of baking apples most suitable for orchards are the calvilles, of which 

 there are several varieties, including the Hawthornden for early use; the reinettes, 

 pearmains, and Northern greening for autumn use, and the russets and Padley's pippin 

 for winter and spring. Many other sorts might be named, but an inspection of the 

 fruit markets will prove that these are the best ; and further details belong to books 

 on gardening. Whoever intends to plant an orchard will do well to describe the soil, 

 situation, climate, and object in view, to the nearest resident gardener or nurseryman 

 of science and great experience; because the nomenclature of fruits is at present too 

 uncertain to justify any one in trusting entirely to a selection of names taken fromljooks. 

 Ronalds of Brentford, Gibbs of Ampthill and Old Brompton, and Pearson of Chilwell, 

 near Nottingham, are very extensive growers of apple trees for sale, and have paid great 

 attention to the merits of the different sorts. 



