56 



Remarks on Plantins: Fruit Trees. 



Thus, in a year or two, after the soil has become settled, 

 the trees will appear as \n fig. 6, and will present to the eye 

 a much neater and more natural q 



appearance; and, if care is tak- 

 en, their vigor and health be 

 maintained for a great length of 

 time. 



The soil around trees should 

 never be cropped within a cir- 

 cle of four feet: by pursuing this course, and top-dressing 

 with some good old manure every year, which may be lightly 

 forked in, (not dug,) the trees may be kept in a healthy and 

 fruitful state. It is important that this should be attended to; 

 for it is one of the greatest errors of cultivators, to crop too 

 near the stems of trees. The surface roots are cut off and 

 destroyed, and they are thus prevented from obtaining nour- 

 ishment, and, in consequence, have to seek it by penetrating 

 further and deeper into the earth. It should be the constant 

 aim of a good cultivator, to keep the roots of his trees as 

 near the surface as possible, by the application of good man- 

 ure, and by keeping the ground free from all weeds and crops 

 of any kind whatever; if he is an attentive observer, he will 

 soon perceive the great benefits which arise from such a course. 



Trees must not be left to themselves after the operation of 

 planting is over; the cultivator who thinks his labors end here, 

 will be sadly disappointed in the abundance of his crops. 

 Trees may thrive for a while, and arrive to a certain degree of 

 productiveness, but after remaining in a kind of stationary con- 

 dition a few years, a decline will take place, which is always 

 sure to follow when they have been neglected: the crop soon 

 becomes reduced — the growth less vigorous — the trees show 

 signs of approaching age, and eventually become nearly bar- 

 ren of fruit. The only remedy, when trees become affected 

 in this manner, is to take them up and replant them properly; 

 if too large to remove, it is better to plant new trees and root 

 out the old ones. 



The cultivation of fruit trees is a subject upon which much 

 information is needed, and one upon which a great deal may be 

 written to advantage. The fact, that we find fruit trees as well 

 as forest trees, springing up from the earth, making a vigorous 

 and healthy growth, and attaining to a great size, without the 

 aid of man, is no reason that he should leave them to them- 

 selves after they are once planted in the soil. All the choice 



