228 TIIE ORCHARD. [March. 



several weeks, the roots of polyanthus-narcissuses, hyacinths, and 

 other bulbs, growing in bulb-glasses, filled with a much stronger 

 solution of the corrosive sublimate than that prescribed in page 

 141, and apparently in more health and vigour than those which 

 are growing in pure water; I have also washed the leaves, steins, 

 branches, and various kinds of tender plants with it, arid poured 

 it on the earth about their roots in large quantities, without any 

 other effect than the destruction of the earth worms, and those 

 which annoyed the plants. 



Be very cautious not to leave any of the corrosive sublimate, or 

 solution, in a careless manner in or about the house, for, with respect 

 to animal life, it is a very active poison; so powerful that when 

 administered medicinally, the quarter of a grain, being the two 

 hundred and fortieth part of a drachm, is considered a sufficient 

 dose for an adult person. 



Extent, Aspect, Situation, and Soil. 



The extent of an orchard should be in proportion to the quantity 

 of fruit required either for family use, distillation, cider, &c. or for 

 public supply; and may be from half an acre to a hundred acres, 

 or more. 



As to aspect, that is not of as much importance as some people 

 imagine, especially for apple, pear, and other hardy fruit trees; for 

 you will find these growing and bearing fruit in the greatest perfec- 

 tion in every aspect where the soil is suitable, and proper care 

 taken of the. trees; but the more tender and early flowering fruits, 

 such as peaches and nectarines, &c. will require to be planted 

 where they may have protection from the cold north and north- 

 westerly winds; which, when accompanied by frost, often do con- 

 siderable injury to their early bloom; and likewise, it will be 

 necessary to give a warm exposure, especially in the eastern and 

 middle states, to late ripening kinds, such as the heath-peach, &c. 

 in order to bring their fruit to maturity in due season. 



In the southern states a north aspect will be the most eligible for 

 apple trees, and perhaps for several other kinds. 



With respect to situation very thriving orchards are frequently 

 found on high and low grounds, on declivities and plains, in various 

 aspects and exposures; but this is in consequence of the natural 

 soil being good; you should, however, avoid very low damp situa- 

 tions, particularly such as lodge water; for in very wet soils, no 

 fruit trees will prosper, nor will the fruit poduced in such places 

 be good; but a moderately low situation, free from wet, may be 

 more eligible than an elevated ground, as being less exposed to 

 tempestuous winds; but if having a gentle declivity the more de- 

 sirable. 



A proper soil being the grand and essential requisite, should be 

 carefully selected, for on this depends much of your success; a 

 good deep sandy loam, neither too dry nor wet, is the most suita- 

 ble for all kinds of fruit trees, and whether this be on high or low 

 situations it should be preferred to every other. In the heaviest 



