FOMEROY ON FRUIT PLANTATIONS. 163 
The advantage of situation is thoroughly understood, 
and though there is some difference of opinion as to 
aspect, the leading principles are well ascertained ; and 
will no doubt, in due time, be universally carried into 
effect. The general outlines, with regard to soil, are 
known and observed, but there appears room for im¬ 
provement in the filling of them up ; that is in the ap¬ 
propriating of the several soils which are fit for fruit; 
to secure and improve the discriminating qualities by 
which each of the superior sorts is distinguished 
Trees which naturally grow to a large size, planted on 
a shallow soil; austere fruit on a strong clay; and that 
which is dry and spongy, on a crude marl, are errors 
often met with, very obvious, and easily avoided. The 
stock should be raised under the eye of the planter, or 
under his who has a still greater interest in the success 
of the plantation, the proprietors of the estate. In the 
nursery, a proper distinction should be made of those 
raised from the seed of the crab ; those from an austere, 
and those from more mellow fruits; that they may be 
each applied to the growing of fruit of that character 
they suit best, or may be most likely to improve. 
There certainly is no sufficient reason Avhy those from 
the crab should be uniformly preferred ; the others 
may, without doubt, in many instances, have a pre¬ 
ference: they decay sooner, but they also come to per¬ 
fection sooner; and when the seed is selected with 
care from young vigorous trees, as that of every kind 
ought to be, are found to possess every requisite to 
form handsome and lasting plants. Owing to inatten¬ 
tion in adapting the stock to the size of the tree it is 
intended to support, it is very common to see the up¬ 
per part of the trunk, that growing from the graft, 
several inches larger in girth than the lower; that 
which 
