133 



The soil best suited to the apple, as already stated, 

 is a strong loam, and it should be two feet deep, rest- 

 ing on a dry subsoil, and thoroughly drained, for no 

 other cause is more productive of canker and mossi- 

 ness than stagnant root-moisture. Before planting, 

 the ground should be trenched all over full two feet 

 deep, and drained throughout, the bottom of the 

 main drains being not less than four feet below the 

 surface. 



When the soil on which the orchard is to be estab- 

 lished is shallower than the depth here named as 

 most desirable, no attempt should be made to deepen 

 it below the level of the true surface soil. This is a 

 fallacious mode of procedure, yet one that we have 

 often seen practised, not only with the apple but 

 other trees. In such cases, when holes are sunk into 

 the subsoil, the tree is circumscribed as though in a 

 flower-pot ; and when the roots reach the level of the 

 subsoil at the extremity of the holes, ill effects gener- 

 ally follow. Where the soil is too shallow, we would 

 rather gain the requisite depth above the ordinary 

 ground level ; and if the soil is of a very adhesive 

 character and damp, this will be found beneficial 

 rather than otherwise : if too light and sandy, we 

 would strongly advise putting soil of a very stiff cha- 

 racter in the bottom of the hole, such as lumps of 

 very adhesive loam, marl, or even pure clay. These 

 substantial materials will contribute to the stability 



