SOIL. 



3 



retentive of moisture, and it will also admit 

 a due degree of warmth from the atmosphere. 



The soil of a fruit tree border ought always 

 to be of such a nature as to absorb and retain 

 a greater degree of moisture in a dry, hot 

 situation, than in a cold and wet one; this 

 may easily be effected by a strict attention 

 to the forming of the under stratum, and 

 which is of great importance in promoting 

 the fertility of the trees. For if in a cold wet 

 situation, stagnant water is retained about 

 the roots, it is certain to produce a diseased 

 tree. And if in a hot and dry situation, the 

 water which is received be permitted to drain 

 away too rapidly, the soil would not afford a 

 suitable supply of nourishment without con- 

 siderable labour in watering. 



A dark coloured soil is more heated by the 

 rays of the sun than a lighter coloured one, 

 when all other circumstances are equal, there- 

 fore a dark coloured soil is preferable to a 

 lighter one providing it be of the quality 

 already described. 



When soil is found to possess too great a 

 portion of clay, let some sand or road drift 

 be mixed with it, and the whole be frequently 

 turned over previous to planting the trees in 

 it; also add some of the lighter sorts of ma- 

 nure such as well rotted Tanner's bark, ve- 

 getable manure, shell marl, or sea weed. 



If a soil be too light, it may be improved 

 by an addition of some of a much stronger 



