208 THE FRUIT GARDEN. [>EB. 



Of planting Orchard Trees. 



It is presumed that the ground has been trenched* 

 and the pits prepared, as directed in Section III. and 

 in January; and that the kinds, and the distance at 

 which to plant have been determined on, as specified 

 in Section V. Also, that the weather is favourable 

 for the operation of planting. Maiden trees are un- 

 questionably to be preferred to older plants ; and 

 next, those but two years from the bud or graft, 

 that are clean and well rooted. 



The roots having been trimmed in the manner 

 noticed above for wall-trees, if fine compost have 

 also been provided, in which to bed the roots, the 

 process is the same. But if this be not the case, 

 care must be taken to break the common earth as 

 fine as possible with the spade, and to spread out, 

 and carefully cover the roots with the finest of it ; 

 treading all gently round the stem of the plant, 

 and observing that it be covered just as high as it 

 formerly was in the earth. If the situation be much 

 exposed to the wind, and particularly if the plants 

 be large, they should be staked, in order to pre- 

 vent them from being wind-waved; than which, 

 nothing is more prejudicial to new-planted trees. 

 They should be headed down, or be shortened next 

 month ; and directions will then be given on that 

 subject. 



If the orchard be not completely fenced, every 

 care should be taken to guard the plants from hares, 

 by properly bushing them round with thorns; which 

 I think is the most effectual method, and that least 



