154 The Principles of Frwit-growing. 
notch them as in the eut, boring a hole at the upper 
end to hitch to; the notches should be 8 inches apart 
and 2 inches deep; now nail cross planks on the two 
notched bed pieces, using the same sized pieces, 2x8 
and 6 or 7 feet long; let the cross planks project 1 
foot at each end over the bed pieces. If more weight 
is needed to fine the clay lumps, the driver can ride 
the float, or weights ean be placed on it. I go over 
with this float when seeding to grass, and also in 
fitting strawberry ground. I prefer it to a roller, as 
it leaves the surface smooth and fine.” * 
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE TILLING OF FRUIT-LANDS. 
Lands which enjoy perfect natural drainage are 
particularly desirable for orchards, because they are 
not only warm and give up their fertility easily, 
but because they also allow of very early cultivation, 
which is an important requisite in the management 
of orchards. If this perfect natural drainage does 
not exist, tile-drainage should be employed until the 
soil is brought into the best possible condition. It 
should be said that many hard and wet soils make 
excellent pear and plum lands when thoroughly tile- 
drained. It is a common opinion that only flat lands 
need draining, but one often finds rolling lands in 
which the subsoil is high and hard, and holds the 
water like a dish-pan. Judicious draining not 
only carries off the superfluous water, but it also 
*H. L. Barton, in Fruit; quoted in Market Garden, Apr., 1897. 
