50 
SOIL AND ASPECT. 
not the case under the high and warm temperature of our sum 
mers. The finest, largest, and most productive Plums and Pears 
within our knowledge, grow in sites on the North river, when 
the soil is a stiff clayey loam, almost approaching a clay. 
Those fruits that on light sandy soils are almost worthless from 
their liability to disease, and the attacks of insects, are here 
surprisingly luxuriant and fruitful. 
It is, however, well to remark, that some varieties of fruit, 
perhaps from the circumstances of their origin, succeed better 
on sandy soils than any other ; thus the Newtown pippin will 
only arrive at perfection in a strong loam, while the Yellow Bell- 
flower is finer when grown on a sandy soil. But there are ex- 
ceptions to all rules, and what we have already stated, as to the 
relative quality of soils, will apply pretty generally to the whole 
of this country south of the Mohawk river ; and it may be added 
that calcareous soils, of whatever texture, are better than soils 
of the same quality where no limestone is present. 
Trenching is the most complete method of improving a soil 
too sandy, when the subsoil below is of a loamy or clayey na- 
ture. Deep subsoil ploughing, by bringing up a sufficient quan- 
tity of the stratum below, will answer the same purpose. When 
the subsoil of a sandy soil is sand or gravel, the surface can only 
be improved by top dressings, or the application of manures. 
Top-dressing with clay is the most simple means of changing the 
nature of such a soil, and it is surprising how moderate a quan- 
tity of clay will give a closer texture to light sandy soils. In 
manuring such soils, we may greatly improve their nature as 
well as condition, by using composts of peat or bog earth, swamp 
muck, or river mud, instead of common barn-yard or stable 
manure. The former are not only more permanent and better 
as manures for fruit trees, but they gradually consolidate and 
improve the whole texture of the soil. 
Indeed no fruit garden, where the soil is not naturally deep 
and rich, is in perfect condition for planting trees, unless the 
soil has been well trenched two spades in depth. This creates 
a matrix for the roots, so deep and permanent, that they retain 
their vigour and luxuriance through the droughts of summer, 
and continue for a long time in a state of health and produc- 
tiveness. 
It is difficult to give any precise rules as to aspect. We have 
seen fine fruit gardens here in all aspects. Perhaps the very 
best aspect, on the whole, is a gentle slope to the southwest, be- 
cause in such positions the trees, when in blossom, are somewhat 
protected from the bad effects of a morning sun after spring 
frosts. But, to remedy this more perfectly, it is sometimes the 
practice to plant on the north sides of hills, and this is an effec- 
tual way where early frosts are fatal, and where the season is 
long and warm enough to ripen the fruit in any exposure. A 
