CHAPTER VII. 



SOIL, SITUATION, AND ENCLOSURES. 



SOIL. 



THE soil for fruit- trees, as well as for farm crops, 

 should be good. Whatever kind will usually pro- 

 mote a vigorous growth of corn or potatoes, will in 

 general be best for fruit trees. Sterile soil is un- 

 favorable for both ; but especially so for the latter, 

 for while it only lessens in quantity the growth of 

 farm crops, it lessens the quantity and greatly in- 

 jures the quality of fruit. 



Good soils vary in many particulars; but as a 

 general rule, one which is dry, firm, mellow and 

 fertile, is well suited to the cultivation of fruit trees. 

 It should be deep, to allow the extension of the roots ; 

 dry, or else well drained, to prevent injury from 

 stagnant water below the surface ; firm, and not 

 peaty or spongy, to preclude disaster from frost. 



Very few soils exist in this country, which would 

 not be much benefited, for all decidedly hardy kinds, 

 as the apple and pear, by good manuring. Shal- 

 low soils should be loosened deeply by heavy far- 

 rows and manure ; or if the whole surface cannot 

 be thus treated, a strip of ground eight feet wide, 

 where the row of trees is to stand, should be ren- 



