186 THE FRUIT GARDEN. [jAN. 



of earth for their nourishment. These are works 

 that require much time, and which ought to be 

 done in the summer or autumn before planting, in 

 order to do full justice to the trees. But the kind 

 of preparation I here mean, is that of properly ma- 

 king ready the pits or holes for the plants, by throw- 

 ing them out, and partly filling them again with 

 fine compost, in which to bed the roots. 



The pits should be made fully large according 

 to the size of the trees to be planted, in order that 

 their roots may be completely surrounded with 

 light earth, made moderately rich with rotten dung, 

 and rendered into fine homogeneous compost, by 

 having been frequently turned and exposed to the 

 action of the weather. Let them be made so deep 

 and wide, therefore, as that a few inches of this 

 compost may be placed under, and beyond the ex- 

 treme roots, when planted ; into which they will 

 strike fibres freely, and which will very much pro-* 

 mote their growth the first season. As much of 

 the compost should be laid ready in a heap, at one 

 side, as will be sufficient for covering the roots at 

 planting. If pains be thus taken to prepare for 

 planting, and if the directions given in February be 

 followed, together with those for mulching and 

 watering in the following months, every reasonable 

 hope of success may be entertained. But owing to 

 carelessness in the previous preparation of the soil, 

 and by performing the operation of planting in a 

 superficial manner, many disappointments follow, 



