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not be headed, but where they are inclined to shoot downward, the tap root must be shortened, in 
ordei to force out horizontal loots; if the ground is pretty good in which these stocks are planted, 
and the weeds constantly cleared away, the stocks will make great progress, so that those which are 
intended for dwaifs, may be grafted the spring twelve months after they are planted out of the seed¬ 
bed , but those which aie designed for standards will require two or three years more growth, before 
they will be fit to graft, by which time they will be upward of six feet high. 
The distance which I should choose to allow these trees, should not be less than thirty feet, for 
such sorts as are of moderate growth (if upon Crab or free stocks): but the larger growing sorts 
should not be allowed less room than thirty-five or forty feet, which will be found full near enough, 
if the ground is good, and the trees properly trained; for as the branches of these trees should not 
be shortened, but trained at their full length, so in a few years they will be found to meet. Indeed, 
at the first planting, the distance will appear so great to those persons who have not observed the 
vigoious growth of these trees, that they will suppose they never can extend their branches so far as 
to cover the espalier; but if these persons will but observe the growth of standard-trees of the same 
kinds, and see how wide their branches are extended on every side, they may be soon convinced, 
that as these espalier-trees are allowed to spread but on two sides, they will of course make more 
progress, as the whole nourishment of the root will be employed in these side branches, than where 
there is a greater number of branches on every side of the tree, which are to be supplied with the 
same nourishment. 
I shall now treat of the method to plant orchards so as to have them produce the greatest profit. 
And first, in the choice of the soil and situation for an orchard: the best situation for an orchard is, 
on the ascent of the gentle hills, facing the south, or south-east; but this ascent must not be too 
steep, lest the earth should be washed down by hasty rains. There are many persons who prefer 
low situations at the foot of hills, but I am thoroughly convinced from experience, that all bottoms 
where there are hills on each side, are very improper for this purpose; for the air is drawn down into 
these vallies in strong currents, which, being pent in, renders these bottoms much colder than the 
open situations; and during the winter and spring, these bottoms are very damp and unhealthy to 
all vegetables; therefore the gentle rise of a hill, fully exposed to the sun and air, is by much the 
best situation. As to the soil, a gentle hazel loam, which is easy to work, and that does not detain 
the wet, is the best; if this happens to be three feet deep, it will be better for the growth of the 
trees, for although these trees will grow upon very strong land, yet they are seldom so thriving, nor 
are their fruit so well flavoured, as those which grow on a gentle soil; and on the other hand, these 
trees will not do well upon a very dry gravel or sand, therefore those soils should never be made 
choice of for orchards. 
The ground intended to be planted should be well prepared the year before, by ploughing it 
thoroughly, and if some dung is laid upon it the year before, it will be of great service to the trees; 
if in the preceding spring a crop of Peas or Beans is planted on the ground (provided they are sown 
or planted in rows, at a proper distance, so as that the ground between them is horse-hoed,) it will 
destroy the weeds, and loosen the ground, so that it will be a good preparation for the trees, for the 
earth cannot be too much wrought, or pulverized for this purpose: these crops will be taken off the 
ground long before the season for planting these trees, which should be as soon as possible per¬ 
formed when the trees begin to shed their leaves. 
In choosing the trees, I would advise the taking such as are but of two years growth from the 
graft, and never to plant old trees, or such as are grafted upon old stocks, for it is losing of time to 
plant these; young trees being always more certain to grow, and make a much greater progress than 
those which are old. As to pruning the roots, it must be done in the same manner as has been 
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