CROPS, METHODS, MANAGEMENT 33 



The second enables cultivation to be carried out 

 thoroughly and conveniently, but as regards the fruit 

 quarters the land cannot always be utilised to the fullest 

 extent, and it often happens that the best aspect and the 

 best soil for the fruits are also those where vegetables, 

 especially early crops, would succeed most satisfactorily. 



The third, or alternate method, provides a com- 

 bination of the recommendations of the other systems, 

 with a reduction of the defects to a minimum. The 

 best positions can be equally utilised for all crops, and 

 if any kind of rotation is desirable or necessary, it can be 

 readily arranged. In addition to this the fruit trees, if 

 in single, double, or triple lines, are more fully exposed 

 to atmospheric and sun influences, they develop into 

 finer specimens, the wood is better ripened, and the 

 fruits assume a superior colour and flavour to those 

 borne by trees in dense plantations. Then, too, the 

 operations of spraying, pruning, and gathering are more 

 conveniently performed ; while, if the lines are kept to 

 certain varieties, and any of these fail, they can be 

 removed and others put in their places without dis- 

 turbing the arrangement of a whole plantation. Upon 

 moderate slopes, towards the south, such systems are 

 excellent in all respects. 



The distances allowed between the lines of trees 

 may be varied according to convenience and the 

 fruits or other crops which are to be grown. We 

 know examples where the distances allowed are from 

 20 yards to 60 yards or more, but within reasonable 

 limits the trees afford a measure of protection to the 

 other crops, so that can be borne in mind when pre- 

 paring the plans, as local surroundings would require 

 consideration. Usually such blocks can be only cultivated 

 in one direction, following that of the tree lines, but 

 cross-cultivation is not of so much moment where the 

 land is subjected to the constant working of market 

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