34 



ordinary surface of the substratum. For of what use 

 can it be to decoy the roots below this level ? When 

 they reach the sides of their prepared holes, they will 

 of course be circumscribed like a flower in a garden- 

 pot. We have known much ill-success in planting 

 occur through this injudicious proceeding. 



We think that land, after a moderate course of tillage, 

 is in a fitter state, on the whole, for establishing an 

 orchard, than old leys, especially if a thorough system 

 of drainage has to be established. For although turf 

 is a most desirable thing to imbed the $pple roots in, 

 yet the necessary porosity of the soil through raw 

 organic matter, in abundance, might in dry periods 

 subject the orchard to an inconvenient amount of 

 drought ; from which the well-tilled soil would com- 

 paratively escape. Soil in this state also furnishes an 

 excellent opportunity for thorough drainage, and when 

 this is completed, the centres between the lines of 

 trees is directly available for either green or white 

 crops; for hops, or for laying down to grass, if neces- 

 sary. 



Depth of soil is certainly a great essential in apple 

 cultivation. It, however, so happens, that some "thin- 

 skinned" loamy soils will grow very fine apples, pro- 

 viding no stagnation takes place at the root. When 

 such is the case, we would advise by all means deepen- 

 ing the lines, where the apples are to be planted, at 

 the expense of the adjacent ground. In such cases 



i 



