128 THE MINIATUEE FEUIT GARDEN 



quarter acre should be prepared, and a third of the trees 

 removed from the first plantation. In three years the 

 trees ought to have made growth enough to pay for 

 planting the entire acre. Three years must be the 

 limit of time allowed for the last transplanting, and it 

 must be done as early in October as possible, and the 

 trees should be taken up carefully. Some men in 

 drawing trees are apt to chop the roots ; this should be 

 strictly forbidden, and the master will have to look at 

 the trees before any damage is concealed by the earth. 

 Every care also must be taken that the trees are solidly 

 planted, as the wind, after the ground is loosened by 

 frost, will break the young roots that are made during 

 the winter. After frost every tree must be firmly set 

 by a strong and willing labourer. 



I have assumed, in the foregoing description of a 

 condensed orchard, that the trees planted will be either 

 plums or apples, as these are generally more profitable 

 than pears or cherries ; but I have found that land may 

 be economised by planting alternately with plums, a 

 row of pears on the quince stock, or apples on the 

 Paradise. The pear and the apple on these stocks do 

 not grow with the same vigour as the plum. If a 

 mixed orchard is desired, the rows must be made at 

 six feet, and the trees planted three feet apart in the 

 rows, with a view to their future removal ; for an orchard 

 of pears on the quince, or of apples on the Paradise, 

 the ultimate distance of six feet will be sufficient for 

 many yearSj and if the trees are found to be close, one 



