FRUIT PLANTATION. 323 



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CHAPTER II. 



Fruit Plantation* 



WHERE fruit is grown for sale, or where large quantities 

 are wanted for home consumption, it becomes necessary 

 to plant trees and bushes on a larger scale than is usual 

 in the garden or home orchard. A few hints on the laying 

 out of a plantation may therefore be useful to some 

 readers. 



Aspect. There is little need to say much about aspect, 

 for in most cases there is no choice in the matter. Usually 

 the best has to be made of any land that may be avail- 

 able, and that it may generally be done successfully is 

 shown by the fact that flourishing plantations may be 

 found in many situations, on hills and on the level. How- 

 ever, there is no doubt that the ideal is a gentle slope 

 towards the south or south-east, whilst south-west is per- 

 missible; but no one would choose a slope towards a 

 northerly or easterly quarter, if it could be avoided. 



Shelter is a very important factor in fruit culture, but 

 it can be overdone. A sheltered position surrounded by 

 higher land is generally found to be more liable to severe 

 frost than more open or higher ground, the reason being 

 that the cold air, being heavier than warm air, sinks into 

 the lower position and remains there stagnant. It is by 

 no means uncommon to find fruit bloom cut off by frost 

 in the hollows whilst that on rising ground remains un- 

 injured. On a gentle slope there is a certain amount of 

 air movement or drainage, which is beneficial. 



A good deal can be done to protect the trees on exposed 

 land by planting shelter trees on the outskirts of the plan- 

 tation, on the side from which the high winds are to be 



