ORCHARD. 



221 



should be broken up and tilled at least one year before the 

 trees are planted. 



Manure, — Rotten leaves, or the mould formed by the de- 

 composition of leaves, is recommended by Forsyth. Com- 

 post, or rich earth, is said to be preferable to dung, which 

 encourages insects and blight. M'Mahon says, It Is well 

 known that where hogs and poultry are constantly running 

 over the ground, the trees seldom fail of a crop, w^hich is the 

 best proof that manure is necessary. Any manure will suit 

 an orcnard ; but the sweepings of cow-houses, hog-pens, 

 slaughter-houses, poultry and pigeon-houses, emptying of 

 drains, &c. are more disposed to facilitate the growth of fruit- 

 trees than stable-manure. However, any kind of manure 

 is better than none at all." 



" Hog-dung is accounted to have a peculiar virtue in in 

 vigorating weak trees. Rotted turf, or any vegetable ref- 

 use, is a general manure, excellent for all soils not already 

 too rich. For an exhausted soil, where a fruit-tree, which 

 has been an old, profitable occupant, is wished to be con- 

 tinued, a dressing of animal matter is a powerful restora- 

 tive ; such as hogs' or bullocks' blood, oIFal from the 

 slaughter-house, refuse of skins and leather, decomposed 

 carrion ; also urine diluted with water. In a soil which 

 does not effervesce with acids, a little lime, dug in a spit 

 deep, is beneficial to fruit-trees." — Abercrombie. 



Distance of trees in an orchard. — " It should be considered, 

 at the time of planting, to what size the trees are likely to 

 glow. And they should be set so far asunder, that their 

 limbs vvdii not be likely to interfere with each other, when 

 they arrive at full growth. In a soil that suits them best 

 they will become largest. Twenty-live feet may be the 

 right distance in some soils ; but thirty-five feet will not be 

 too much in the best, or even forty." — Deane. 



Cropping, — It is proper to crop the ground among new- 

 planted orchard-trees, for a few years, in order to defray 

 the expense of hoeing and cultivating it ; which should be 

 done until the temporary plants are removed, and the whole 

 be sown down to grass. But it is by no means advisable 

 to carry the system of cropping w^ith vegetables to such an 

 excess as is frequently done. If the bare expense of culti- 

 vating the ground, and the rent, be paid, by such croppin<^^^ 

 it should be considered enough. As the trees begin to pro- 

 duce fruit, begin also to relinquish cropping. When by 

 their productions they defray all expenses, crop no longer, 

 19* 



