4* OF THE FORMATION SECT. Ill* 



rams and fnows, and do much good. Or if an orchard 

 were ploughed, or rough dug, every year, immediately 

 after the fall of the leaf without manuring, it would be 

 very beneficial; for it is not advifeable to give trees 

 much dung. 



The th inning of the branches of orchard trees, by 

 an occasional ufe of the faw, bill, chizzel, or knife, 

 fhould not be neglefted, that the air may have free 

 courfe, and the fun accefs among the branches : This 

 is more efpecially iieceffary in thick planted orchards,, 

 and the benefit of proper pruning is very great, though 

 it is much neglected. See Pruning of 'Standards, Section 

 XII. 



To fucceed well, apples and pears fhould be planted 

 from thirty to forty feet aiunder, and cherries and plums 

 from twenty to thirty, according to the richnefs of the 

 land. The walnut fhould be rather planted fingly; but 

 if in a number together, ought to be forty feet afunder 

 lot fruit, and thirty for timber. See Nurfery. Thefe 

 diftances appear great, but it is necelfary, as after a few 

 years elofer planting would be^ found evident. See 

 planting and pruning, Seel;. 9, 12. 



If the intermediate ground is not cultivated, as before 

 recommended, fome fort of fruit (as cherry, plum, or 

 codling J or young fore ft trees may be planted, to be re- 

 moved in time ; or currants, goofeberries, &c. it may 

 be kept alio in grafs, the trees thorned, and final 1 cattle 

 turned in; which grafs, as it comes early, will be found 

 particularly ufeiul to thofe who have much flock. On 

 this fubjeft, however, it may not be amifs to give the. 

 inftru&ions of one of our bell gardeners. 



It is an error (fays he) to let turf cover the furface 

 of the ground in an orchard. The trees fhould be at 

 fuch diftances, that a plough may go between them, 

 and in that cafe the trees thrive every way better ; 

 the breaking of the ground ferves as manure without 

 its ranknefs, and the fun and air have Iree paffage; 

 which is very eifcntial to the good tafte and well ripen- 



