THE ORCHARD GARDEN 85 



The orchard, consisting mainly of old apple, pear and 

 plum trees, was situated on the side of a steeply sloping 

 hillside ; at its lower end a small stream divided it from 

 a grass field, which although not at first belonging to 

 the property was subsequently acquired. This was 

 fortunate, as it enabled the making of a picturesque 

 water-garden on either side of the stream, the planting 

 on the right bank being part of the orchard. The 

 first thing done was to overhaul the trees, many of which 

 were cumberers of the ground. All but the best were 

 rooted up and burnt, the ashes being returned to the 

 soil. About half the trees were thus destroyed, and 

 those retained were thoroughly cleansed with alkali 

 wash to rid them of parasites and pests. In due course 

 they were carefully pruned, and good soil and manure 

 spread above their roots ; later, they bore excellent 

 crops. To make up the full number of trees, a sufficiency 

 of maiden standards was planted in late autumn, care 

 being taken to procure specimens which had been 

 grafted on natural stocks ; in one or two cases it was 

 possible to obtain trees on their own roots, a great gain 

 so far as grace of form is concerned. In planting, the 

 old sites were studiously avoided, partly because the 

 previous tenants would have robbed the ground of all 

 its fertility, partly so that the rows might be as irregular 

 as possible. In making this orchard, mere picturesque- 

 ness was not the sole consideration ; the trees were all 

 chosen from varieties whose hardiness, fruiting capacity 

 and suitability to soil and locality, had been abundantly 

 proved ; and no trouble was spared to keep them healthy 

 and prolific. The best way when making an orchard is 

 to study varieties growing in the neighbourhood ; a kind 

 which is a success in one district may be a total failure 

 in another. It would be folly to urge the forming of 

 an orchard garden unless there was every probability of 

 its justifying its existence by supplying the household 



