66 
By tlie end of the month steps may be taken towards making 
provision for the introduction of any fresh kinds of fruit trees, 
or for the removal of sucli as may have failed. One of the first 
proceedings, in this case, is to lay in a sufficient stock of fresh 
turfy or fibrous soil. September is a most eligible month for 
this, whether for fruit trees, or for general purposes. The next 
business is to examine the whole stock of fruits, to see whether 
they form a complete set for the wants of the family ; or whe- 
ther any are wanting to complete a proper succession. The 
renewal of old sorts, falling into decay, and the introduction 
of new kinds, of established reputation, must not be lost sight of. 
Great caution should be exercised in making such arrange- 
ments ; selection, and not collection, should be the guiding 
principle. For, after all, how few of the novelties of the day 
will succeed in every situation ? Therefore, in proportion to 
the limitation of garden room, should be the severity of the 
scrutiny in the selection. In planting new fruit gardens, 
arrangements should not be left to the moment of planting, but 
a complete list of fruit trees, from safe authorities, should forth- 
with be prepared, and the stations all numbered and entered in 
a garden book. This will be a guarantee against the possibility 
of error ; and will also serve as a guide to the operator, in deter- 
mining the size of the station, character of composts, &c. 
I would here beg to otTer a remark on the selection and 
preparation of trees, preparatory to planting. “First come, 
first served,” is a maxim which applies to this business. Those 
who desire to plant good trees, should, if to be procured from a 
nursery, have them selected and marked betimes in the autumn. 
If any large fruit trees are to be removed, I strongly advise 
what I have often practised ; viz., the making of a trench around 
one half of the tree, in the end of August; cutting, of course, 
through the extremities of the roots, and suffering the trench to 
remain excavated until the tree is removed. The remaining 
half of the circle may be excavated towards the end of Septem- 
ber, in like manner. This process will produce an early ces- 
sation of growth, and consequently a more perfect maturation 
of the wood in tender trees ; together with plenty of fresh fibres, 
by which the newly-planted trees will be speedily established. 
Such trees may be removed towards the end of October, but 
of this, more in the following pages. 
