FOR PROFIT. I I 



CHAPTER I. 



SOIL — SITUATION — SHELTER. 



Soil. — Remarks on this must of necessity be general, 

 as the superficial geology of an acre is often of quite 

 opposite formations. If the soil is good all fruits will 

 succeed, though possibly some may do too well ; if 

 poor, it can be enriched ; if unsuitable for one crop, 

 it may do for another ; taking worst soil first, the 

 limestone or the chalk, with only a surface layer of 

 mould above it. This is manifestly unsuitable for 

 Pears and Apples, Plums will succeed for a short time 

 only, Damsons will not thrive, and Cherries may do 

 for a time, the only crops that can be recommended 

 are Strawberries, Cob Nuts, and possibly Morella 

 Cherries on dwarf trees. If the loam on top be fairly 

 deep, Gooseberries and Currants may succeed, but 

 experiment in a small way before speculating. If the 

 chalk overlies gravel, planters will be pretty much in 

 the same state, but if the chalk is mixed on the 

 surface with deep brick earth, then Plums will come 

 in, and Cherries grow luxuriantly, but be careful with 

 Apples and Pears until proved. As a guide in selecting 

 a fruit site, give a look at neighbouring crops and to 

 trees in gardens, and take note of those that flourish. 

 In a surface gravel over sand there is a risk from 

 drought, possibly such land will be happy in a wet 

 time, but although some orchards on this formation 

 are known, it is not recommended. In sandy soil 



