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THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



of fruits is usually more limited, and is generally understood 

 by the appellation of the fruit-garden. 



With respect to the situation of public orchards, it should 

 be rather elevated than low, as on a gentle declivity, inclining 

 to the south, a free admission of the rays of sun and air is 

 obtained, which is requisite to dry up the damps, disperse the 

 fogs, render the trees healthy, and give a fine flavor to 

 the fruits. It should be likewise well sheltered from the east, 

 north, and west winds, by plantations, if not naturally shel- 

 tered by hills or rising grounds. Many orchards are admirably 

 situated by the sides of rivers, sheltered by the winding banks, 

 and sloping to the south, east, or west. Where plantations 

 are necessary for shelter, they should not be either too high, 

 nor too near the orchard, as where that is the case, they pre- 

 vent a free circulation of air, which is of as much injury to 

 the trees as if they were not sheltered at all. The soil is of 

 more importance probably to the welfare of the trees, than 

 any particular shelter, excepting in very bleak and exposed 

 places. In the cider counties, we see orchards, in all situa- 

 tions as regards shelter, thriving almost equally well ; we often 

 see them on the tops of hills exposed to all the winds that 

 blow ; we see them in valleys sheltered from every wind ; yet 

 both seem to pay the proprietor to his satisfaction, or else they 

 would be soon rooted up. No rule can be laid down to spe- 

 cify exactly the soil most suitable for fruit-trees, neither is it to 

 be supposed that every one, who wishes to plant an apple-tree, 

 has that choice in his power. There is no doubt that certain 

 soils are more fitted for the cultivation of fruit-trees than others ; 

 hence we find orchards thriving in soils not considered by any 

 means good ; while, on the other hand, we find, in soils sup- 

 posed to be excellent, that they will scarcely flourish at all. 

 In those situations, where fruit-trees are observed to thrive, 

 cultivation ought to be extended ; and in those which are found 

 from experience to be unfit for them, they should not be 

 attempted, at least with the intention of making them a source 

 of profit in trade. The majority of fruit-trees will thrive in a 

 loamy earth of a middling texture, providing it lie on a whole- 

 some substratum, and be of a competent depth. We fre- 

 quently meet with an excellent situation for an orchard, where 



