38 



Under Crops in the Earlier Stages, — We before re- 

 commended at least fifteen yards distance as very- 

 eligible ; we would, however, advise a much wider 

 distance between the lines or rows as breathing places, 

 being persuaded that such will be found of immense 

 utility. They will assist in setting the blossoms, will 

 be in some degree corrective of the aptitude to gather 

 moss, to which aged trees in confined situations are 

 liable, and will moreover produce increased size and 

 flavour in the fruit. The ground between will be of 

 great service in regard of other matters, whether 

 green or white crops. The kind of crop in use in the 

 orchard counties, depends in part on the general eco- 

 nomy of the farm, of which the orchard forms a part. 

 We cannot help thinking, however, that green crops 

 in general would be most eligible ; in the earlier 

 stages, white or corn crops may be resorted to, but 

 the increasing shade of the trees will ultimately render 

 such crops too unproductive to be long persisted in. 

 We should think that such land might be rendered 

 of great service if constantly under green crops, pro- 

 viding manure could be spared for the purpose. Thus 

 turnips, parsnips, carrots, the drumhead cabbage, the 

 mangold wortzel, and potatoes, might alternate in a 

 proper way, with perhaps occasionally a two years' 

 rest in grass, which should be mowed and not eaten 

 by cattle; for surely it would be a most desirable thing 

 to exclude them altogether from the orchard. It 



