116 ORCHARDS. 



shoots be strong, healthy; five or six in uumber, and 

 stand at regular distances from each other, and with- 

 out dead knots or cracks between them, to induce 

 the nestling of insects, or canker. I'hese shoots, 

 being properly pruned, form the future head of the 

 tree ; and which, to be regular and well balanced ^ 

 depends entirely on the skill of the first pruner. 



Besides securing good healthy plants of the right 

 age and form, another thing must be thought of, and 

 that is, the kinds to be chosen. Perhaps the best 

 rule to be given on this point, as before observed, is 

 to look round the neighbourhood, and ascertain what 

 sorts do best. Many kinds of fruit trees have local 

 propensities, as it may be called ; that is, the soil, the 

 situation, and the local climate, with respect to dry- 

 ness or humidity, are more congenial to some sorts 

 than others ; and therefore it is best in most cases^ 

 to choose only those which appear to be naturalized 

 to the district, or sorts of similar habits. There 

 is a great variety in the preceding catalogue to 

 choose from ; and as the individual eharacters are 

 given, the planter will have little difficulty in fixing 

 on what will best suit him ; minding to place the 

 first class plants to the north and south-west- 

 ward of the orchard, the second class next, and 

 finishing towards the south with trees of the third 

 class. 



It is of little use planting fruit or any other trees 

 in pastures, unless they are from the first properly 

 protected. The stems require to be defended from 

 hares and rabbits by a thickish wreath, or coating of 



