198 Effects of Climate and Soil 



pass the rest of his life in comfort and ease. Perhaps the day may even 

 come when my own fancied chateau will be built, be it either cottage or 

 castle, and thus my airy dreams be realized, even through these very un- 

 poetic and homely agencies. 



In the mean time, the winter passes on with its quiet routine of duties. 

 The children are both availing themselves of the advantages of these long- 

 celebrated Burlington schools, and the home circle improves its mind and 

 manners in the congenial atmosphere of books and periodicals from an 

 excellent city library. On Sunday, the air is full of the music of church- 

 bells, and the privileges of the gospel are offered to all who choose to attend 

 the places of public worship. So we are richly favored in many ways ; and, 

 as we conclude our first year's experiment in New-Jersey farming, we give 

 our willing testimony for the benefit of those who are hesitating about 

 removal. Last year, we had many doubts as to the wisdom or propriety of 

 our venture ; but now we have no regrets or disappointments to record. 



BURLIN'GTON, N.J. -"■ 



EFFECTS OF CLIMATE AND SOIL ON THE ROOTS OF TREES. 



(Concluded.) 



We have seen that the roots of all trees, conifers not excepted, run down 

 into the subsoil, and appear to draw their greatest amount of nourishment 

 from that source : hence we can run the plough close to their trunks with- 

 out damaging their roots. This natural provision is necessary to their 

 preservation from the frosts of winter and the long drought of summer : 

 for here we have no snow-covering ; and, being distant from large bodies of 

 water, the evaporation from the surface is immense. Now, to insure drain- 

 age at no e.Ktra cost, we are at liberty to plough our orchards into lands ; 

 that is, between the rows, we may plough towards the tree as long as we 

 please, without either disturbing the roots or injuring the soil. In my own 

 grounds, in some cases, I have thrown out the soil in the centre by repeated 

 l)loughings to the depth of two feet. In the first instance, this was done 

 to drain the more level part of the orchard ; but, l)y repeated experiments, 

 it is found that tlic highest and best drained portions of the orchard are 



