OF THE 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Vol. XL No. 8. 



NOVEMBER, 1904. [NEW SERIES,] 



PLANTING FRUIT TREES AND BUSHES. 



November, of all periods of the year, is the best month for the 

 planting of fruit trees and bushes. The leaves have then fallen, 

 and the soil is always moist enough, while it is less likely to be 

 too wet than at a later period of the season. Planting may be 

 earned on, however, all through the winter, and even in the early 

 part of the spring, before the buds have started in growth, when- 

 ever the land is in a suitable condition — that is, free from excessive 

 wetness and frost. 



Although soils over the Old Red Sandstone, the Greensand, 

 or the Lias, or deep alluvial soils are among the best for fruit, 

 satisfactory results can be obtained on any land that will grow 

 corn, clover, and potatoes well. Stiff clays, very shallow soils 

 of any class, and burning sand or gravel soils are to be avoided. 

 A slope towards the south or south-east is best, though the 

 south-west will do if natural or artificial shelter protects the trees 

 against the gales from that quarter ; but there are many good 

 orchards on level plains, and some with aspects which are not 

 such as would have been selected if full liberty of choice had 

 been available. 



Preparations for planting should be made much earlier than 

 November, as the land must be drained if water is likely to 

 stagnate in it, and it needs to be thoroughly cultivated: before 

 the holes for trees and bushes are dug. Land in which an early 

 potato crop has been grown, or a crop of peas, comes in well for 

 planting, as there is time after getting either off the field to 

 allow of the necessary cultivation. Potatoes are usually manured 

 heavily, and when they are raised early the land is commonly 



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