50 SOIL AND ASPECT. 



not the case under the high and warm temperature of our sum- 

 mers. The finest, largest, and most productive Plums and Pears 

 within our knowledge, grow in sites on the North river, when 

 the soil is a stiff clayey loam, almost approaching a clay. 

 Those fruits that on light sandy soils are almost worthless from 

 their liability to disease, and the attacks of insects, are here 

 surprisingly luxuriant and fruitful. 



It is, however, well to remark, that some varieties of fruit, 

 perhaps from the circumstances of their origin, succeed better 

 on sandy soils than any other ; thus the Newtown pippin will 

 only arrive at perfection in a strong loam, while the Yellow Bell- 

 flower is fineY when grown on a sandy soil. But there are ex- 

 ceptions to all rules, and what we have already stated, as to the 

 relative quality of soils, will apply pretty generally to the whole 

 of this country south of the Mohawk river ; and it may be added 

 that calcareous soils, of whatever texture, are better than soils 

 of the same quality where no limestone is present. 



Trenching is the most complete method of improving a soil 

 too sandy, when the subsoil below is of a loamy or clayey na- 

 ture. Deep subsoil ploughing, by bringing up a sufficient quan- 

 tity of the stratum below, will answer the same purpose. When 

 the subsoil of a sandy soil is sand or gravel, the surface can only 

 be improved by top dressings, or the application of manures. 

 Top-dressing with clay is the most simple means of changing the 

 nature of such a soil, and it is surprising how moderate a quan- 

 tity of clay will give a closer texture to light sandy soils. In 

 manuring such soils, we may greatly improve their nature as 

 well as condition, by using composts of peat or bog earth, swamp 

 muck, or river mud, instead of common barn-yard or stable 

 manure. The former are not only more permanent and better 

 as manures for fruit trees, but they gradually consolidate and 

 improve the whole texture of the soil. 



Indeed no fruit garden, where the soil is not naturally deep 

 and rich, is in perfect condition for planting trees, unless the 

 soil has been well trenched two spades in depth. This creates 

 a matrix for the roots, so deep and permanent, that they retain 

 their vigour and luxuriance through the droughts of summer, 

 and continue for a long time in a state of health and produc- 

 tiveness. 



It is difficult to give any precise rules as to aspect. We have 

 seen fine fruit gardens here in all aspects. Perhaps the very 

 best aspect, on the whole, is a gentle slope to the southwest, be- 

 cause in such positions the trees, when in blossom, are somewhat 

 protected from the bad effects of a morning sun after spring 

 frosts. But, to remedy this more perfectly, it is sometimes the 

 practice to plant on the north sides of hills, and this is an effec- 

 tual way where early frosts are fatal, and where the season is 

 long and warm enough to ripen the fruit in any exposure. A 



