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Soily Culture^ ^c. 



APPLES. 



Rich strong loams are the soils most conducive to the 

 growth of the Apple— the roots of Apple Trees being more 

 horizontal than perpendicular, they require a soil less deep 

 than the Pear, and it is on this account that moist soils are 

 more requisite for the Apple, as the roots, extending them- 

 selves near the surfoice, are not benefited by the moisture 

 which is found at a greater distance from the surface of the 

 earth. Apple orchards will, however, succeed on any soil, 

 except a quicksand or a cold clay, if proper attention is paid 

 to keeping the ground in constant cultivation, and manure i^ 

 regularly dug or ploughed in around the trees. Old well 

 rotted stable manure, decomposed vegetable mould from 

 swamps or woods, and river mud, have been found most suit- 

 able for this purpose. 



PEARS. 



These require a deep light soil, in which their perpendi- 

 cular roots can easily penetrate — clay, compact, cold, and 

 wet soils, do not suit their growth. When the roots of the 

 Pear penetrate so as to reach the water, the branches become 

 long and slender, and the leaves narrow, changing speedily 

 to a yellowish appearance, and the ends of the branches oftea 

 perish as if burned. With regard to manuring and keeping 

 the ground cultivated, the Pear requires the same attention 

 as that prescribed for the Apple. This tree is, however, 

 subject to one malady peculiar to itself, commonly called 

 the Fire Blighty or BruLere^ which attacks trees in the most 

 flourishing state, generally commencing at the top or extre- 

 mity of the branches, and extending downwards. This is 

 caused by a stroke of the sun, which extracts the sap from 

 the uppermost branches of the tree, or from such as are 

 most exposed to its influence, with more rapidity than it can 

 be replaced ; or from powerful rays of the sun heating the 

 bark to such a degree as to arrest or nullify the progress of 

 the sap. It is therefore recommended to plant trees in Pear 

 orchards much closer than in those of the Apple. The only 

 remedy against these attacks is to immediately saw off the 

 branches one or two feet below where the blight extends, in 

 which case they generally revive. 



