20 FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION. 



Preparing the Site. The first thing is to get the site 

 ready for the reception of the trees. If they are to be 

 grown in a special plot by themselves the soil should be 

 trenched 3ft. deep. This deep cultivation serves the two- 

 fold purpose of draining the surface soil and encouraging 

 a free and healthy root action. Where, however, only 

 single trees are to be planted, dig out holes 6ft. in diameter, 

 and, if the soil is naturally good, ift. deep. Break up the 

 subsoil to a depth of ift., and then replace 6in. of the sur- 

 face soil, and tread it moderately firm. If the soil is not 

 very good, fork into the subsoil some grit, decayed vege- 

 table refuse, or old manure; then add 6in. of surface soil, 

 mixing a small quantity of decayed manure with it, and 

 treading down as before. Where the subsoil is heavy 

 clay, dig out the hole 2ft. deep, put in about 6in. of stones, 

 and well ram these down. On this place i8in. of good 

 soil containing grit, old manure, and burnt earth, and make 

 it firm. These sites are now ready to receive the trees. 



In the case of sites for wall trees, like espaliers, dig out 

 holes 4ft. wide and long, and prepare them in the same 

 way. For cordons against walls or fences, either trench 

 the soil 3ft. wide and deep, or prepare it as advised for 

 other trees. The object of placing stones in the holes is 

 to serve the purpose of drainage, and to prevent tap-roots 

 descending too deeply. Wherever possible it is well to 

 connect the base of such holes with a drain, so that there 

 is no risk of water accumulating and flooding the roots. 



Planting. It will be observed that we have advised the 

 sites to be made 6ft. wide. This is done so that the roots 

 can be spread out to their full length, not twisted nor curled 

 round. The far too common practice of just digging out 

 a small, deep hole, and ramming the roots into this, is re- 

 sponsible for so many trees failing to thrive. In the case 

 of standard trees, a stake not less than 2in. in diameter 

 and 6 to 8ft. long should be driven 2ft. deep into the centre 

 of each site. For half-standard trees the stakes should 



