THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



315 



as early, if not earlier, than those just mentioned. These 

 should be considered and treated as temporary plants from the 

 beginning, and must give place to the principal trees, as they 

 advance in growth, by being pruned away by degrees, and at 

 last grubbed up entirely. In bleak and exposed situations, 

 there can be no objection to introduce a few forest-trees ju- 

 diciously among the fruit-trees, to shelter and nurse them up ; 

 the forest-trees to be cut away by degrees as the others get 

 up, and ultimately taken away altogether. In this operation 

 choose those which are of most rapid growth, such as poplars, 

 plane, &c. ; round the boundary of the orchard, Scotch geans, 

 a small sort of hai'dy cherry, filberts and other nuts, quinces, 

 service-trees, &c. should be planted ; and to these, walnuts and 

 chesnuts should be added: they will of themselves form a 

 good shelter, and will by their fruits pay well for the ground 

 which they occupy. Medlars, mulberries, &c. should be added 

 to the other fruit-trees in the orchard, and all sorts of fruits 

 that will ripen upon standards. In the process of planting, at 

 whatever season of the year, and in whatever soil, care should 

 be taken to have a sufficient quantity of puddle made, by 

 pouring an adequate quantity of water upon the ground, and 

 by stirring it about, so as to make a puddle of rather a thick 

 consistency, through which gently draw the roots of the trees 

 two or three times, or as often as necessary, until the roots be 

 covered well with the puddle. This will be of much service 

 to them, and will not only keep the roots moist, but will greatly 

 encourage the emitting of young roots immediately after plant- 

 ing. Where this is not done, the same end will be obtained 

 by giving a supply of water to the roots, as the mould is put 

 about them in the process of planting. As soon as the trees 

 are planted, they should be prevented fi'om being blown about 

 by the wind, by being supported by proper stakes or other 

 props, for where this is not attended to, much injury is done to 

 the young tender fibres; the gi'ound is also opened by the 

 stem pressing the mould away on all sides, thus leaving a 

 hole, by which, in the first place, too much wet penetrates to the 

 roots of the tree, and the frost succeeding, freezes the whole 

 into a solid mass ; its expansive power tears and lacerates the 

 roots, and in spring they will ultimately be destroyed by the 



