158 On Orcharding. 
and third fjpits were then taken out, and deposited by the side of the first: 
thus, a trench was clear to the full dejjth of two feet. The bottom was 
then dug and turned, and upon this loosened sub-stratum, the turf was 
])laced in an inverted position, the grass downwards, and the roots up- 
permost; and upon this inverted turf, common salt, to the extent of at 
least one pound per trench, was sprinkled : thus, a store of vegetable 
manure was provided at the depth of nearly two feet beneath the sur- 
face of the soil. A second trench was then prepared in the same way, 
its turf reserved, and its upper earth removed and placed by the heaps 
from the first trench. The intermediate and subsoil of the second 
trench, were now dug out, and transferred to the first trench; and 
finally — the turf being pared off a third trench, its upper soil was 
thrown over the now empty second trench, upon the soil already within 
the first; and thus, that trench was completed. The surface earth was 
left as rough as possible, that it might be ameliorated by the air and 
fi-ost. 
Many of the trees, however, were planted in November, 1830, and 
others in February and March, 1831. They were all maiden-trees, 
with the exception of six Dredge's Beauty of Wilts, which were two 
years from the graft ; and have taken well to the soil, producing sound 
and vigorous spring and summer shoots. The trees are 5Q in number, 
and planted at the average distances of 12 feet fi-om row to row, and 
10 or 12 feet apart in the rows, as indicated by the breadth and figure 
of the ground. The soil within the rows, is planted with early and 
winter potatoes (by a peculiar process) which by the vigor and growth 
of the haulm, promise to yield most redundant crops. 
Something remains to be said of the selection and manageyncnt of the 
trees. These should be maiden plants — that is, one year's growth 
from the graft, in order, first, that the roots may adapt themselves at 
as early a period as possible, to the soil in which they are to remain ; 
and second, that the pruner may be enabled to give his trees the form 
he intends them to assume, without difficulty, or the risk of straining 
their branches. 
The seasons of planting, ought to be limited either to the last two 
weeks of September, or at latest, the first week of October ; — or to 
be deferred till about the middle of March ; and the earth should be 
in a rather moist, but easily pulverised condition. Some persons be- 
lieve that fibres are protruded in autumn ; and therefore, that so much 
time is gained. If the plan of very early planting be adopted, ^vhile 
the leaves retain a certain degree of vital energy, I do not positively 
assert that a few fibrous roots may not be emitted ; but I am satisfied 
that trees planted in November, (as mine were of necessity) produce 
no fibres, — for I had occasion to remove several of those planted in 
1830, to other situations, in the last spring, and in no one instance 
