ON THE PLANTING OF ORCHARDS. 
9 
to July. In general, a greater quantity of apples should be 
planted than of any other fruit 
If the trees are planted in the quincunx order, and at a distance 
of eighty feet apart, the ground between them may be cropped, 
if thought proper. Ploughing, or digging the ground, provided 
it be not done so deep as to injure the roots, will serve to keep 
the trees in a healthy flourishing state, by admitting the sun 
and rain. 
If the spring, after planting, should prove a dry one, it will 
be desirable to mulch the surface, as far as the roots are likely 
to extend, with half-rotten dung, or leaves; or it would be 
better to procure some turf, and lay it the grassy side down¬ 
wards ; either of these plans will keep the ground moist, and 
save a great deal of watering, and when decayed they may be 
dug in, and will thus become beneficial. 
Trees that are of different sizes, when full-grown, should 
never be planted promiscuously; but if the soil is favourable, 
plant the large growing ones towards the back, and the others 
in succession according to their size. In this way, when 
viewed from the front, they will have a very agreeable appear¬ 
ance, which will not be the case if they are planted without 
order; and, at the same time, the more delicate kinds will 
not be liable to be injured by those which are more robust in 
their growth. 
When cattle are intended to feed beneath, the stems of the 
trees should be high enough to prevent them from injuring 
the lower branches ; and they should be fenced in such a way 
as to prevent their bark from being injured by the rubbing of 
the cattle, especially whilst the trees are young. 
If the surface of the soil is liable to become wet, it may be 
drained in this way:—Let deep furrows be made, from one to 
two feet in depth, and from one end to the other of the ground, 
between every two rows of trees, and then let the ground be 
sloped to the bottom of the furrow : if it is in pasture, the turf 
may be taken up and relaid when the furrows are formed. 
If the ground is naturally wet, underground drains will be 
required. 
Burning weeds, rotten wood, or any rubbish when the trees 
are in flower, might be found a great preservative against 
blights and caterpillars. I would recommend annually washing 
