300 THE ORCHARD. 



the month of January to July. See the Method 

 of preserving Fruit, in Chapter XXV. p. 338. 



In Cider-making counties, such as Hereford, 

 Worcester, Gloucester, Somerset, and Devon, 

 they have large Orchards of Apples ; and in some 

 counties (Kent in particular) there are Orchards 

 wholly of Cherries. In general Orchards, how- 

 ever, there ought to be a much larger proportion 

 of Apples than of any other fruit. Orchards, 

 in proper situations, are very profitable ; beside, 

 the trees have a delightful appearance when in 

 blossom, and also when the fruit is ripe. 



What has been said respecting the situation and 

 soil of a Garden is also applicable to an orchard. 

 The situation of an orchard should be rather 

 elevated than low ; on a gentle declivity ; and 

 open to the South and South East, to give free 

 admission to the air and rays of the sun (to dry 

 up the damps and disperse the fogs), which will 

 render the trees healthy, and give a fine flavour 

 to the fruit. An Orchard should also be well 

 sheltered from the East, North, and Westerly 

 winds, by plantations, if not naturally sheltered 

 by rising grounds. These plantations of forest- 

 trees should neither be too large nor too near the 

 Orchard ; as they would in that case prevent a 

 free circulation of the air, which would prove 

 injurious to the fruit-trees. But, if the ground 

 will not admit of such plantations, I would advise 

 planting cross rows of fruit trees, as directed for 

 gardens. I would also recommend planting some 



