2 



SOIL. 



therefore required in the composing and form- 

 ing fruit tree borders, so that they may fully 

 accord with the object in view. 



The soil of a fruit tree border ought in all 

 situations to possess a good degree of adhe- 

 siveness, but not so as to exclude at the same 

 time an openness or looseness of texture; for 

 whilst the former is required in order to re- 

 tain water in such a degree that the soil be 

 moist, but not wet, and thus afford nutri- 

 ment to the tree; the latter is equally neces- 

 sary, in order that whatever food is conveyed 

 by water to the roots, may have free access, 

 and also that heat may as readily as possible 

 be admitted to them. In a soil possessed of 

 such a tenacity and friability, the fibres will 

 increase abundantly and run rapidly. And 

 as it is principally by those that food is re- 

 ceived up into the tree, consequently the more 

 they are increased, the greater quantity of 

 of food is extracted from the border, and the 

 more the tree flourishes. 



Such a soil as this is also suitable for either 

 a hot and dry or cold and wet climate, when 

 the substratum is formed as will be hereafter 

 directed. For in the former climate it will 

 readily absorb and retain a sufficiency of 

 moisture, whilst it will not be soon rendered 

 dry by evaporation, neither will its tenacity 

 be so great, as to cause it in hot weather to 

 cake and crack. And in the latter climate 

 it will be so porous, that it will not be too 



