March.] THE ORCHARD. 229 
Be very cautious, not to leave any of the corrosive sublimate, or 
solution, in a careless manner in or about the house, for, with re- 
spect to animal life, it is a very active poison; so powerful, that 
when administered medicinally, the quarter of a grain, being the 
two hundred and fortieth part of a drachm, is considered a sufficient 
dose for an adult person. 
Extent, Aspect, Situation, and Soil. 
The extent of an Orchard should be in proportion to the quantity 
of fpuit required, either for family use, distillation, cyder, &c. 
or for public supply; and may be from half an acre, to a hundred 
acres, or more. 
As to aspect, that is not of as much importance as some people 
imagine, especially for apple, pear- and other hardy fruit-trees; for 
you will find these growing and bearing fruit in the greatest perfec- 
tion, in every aspect where the soil is suitable, and proper care 
taken of the trees; but the more tender and early flowering fruits, 
such as peaches and nectarines, &c. will require to be planted, 
where they may have protection from the cold north and north- 
westerly winds; which, when accompained by frost, often do con- 
siderable injury to their early bloom; and likewise, it will be ne- 
cessary to give a warm exposure, especially in the eastern and mid- 
dle states, to late ripening kinds, such as the heath-peach, Sec. in 
order to bring their fruit to maturity in due season. 
In the southern states, a north aspect will be the most eligible for 
apple trees, and perhaps for several other kinds. 
With respect to situation, very thriving Orchards are frequently 
found, on high and low grounds, on declivities and plains, in various 
aspects and exposures; but this is in consequence of the natural 
soil being good: you should, however, avoid very low damp situa- 
tions, particularly such as lodge water; for in very wet soils, no 
fruit trees will prosper, nor will the fruit produced in such places 
be good; but a moderately low situation, free from wet, may 
be more eligible than an elevated ground, as being less exposed to 
tempestuous winds; but, if having a gentle declivity, the more 
desirable. 
A proper soil being the grand and essential requisite, should be 
carefully selected, for on this depends much of your success; a 
good deep sandy loam, neither too dry, nor wet, is the most suitable 
for all kinds of fruit-trees, and whether this be on high or low si- 
tuations, it should be preferred to every other. In the heaviest 
part of this ground, you may plant apples and pears; in the lighter, 
plums and cherries; and in the lightest, peach, nectarine and 
apricots. Generally speaking, ground that will produce good crops 
of natural grass, or kitchen-garden vegetables, is suitable for an 
Orchard; if of a loamy naiure, it will be a particular advantage: 
any soil, however, of a goud quality, not too light and dry. nor 
too heavy, stubborn, or wet, and not less than one spade deep of 
good staple, will be proper for this purpose. 
