maturity of all fruits reared in the open air, at least a fortnight, in the counties situated to the west, whether in a southern or northern direction; and from three to four weeks, in the direct northern parts of the kingdom:—on the other hand, the climate in the southern and south-eastern counties of England, may be considered as nearly equal in point of heat, to that of the German provinces bordering on the rivers Rhine and Danube.—This circumstance deserves particular attention; as otherwise, the practical gardener will often be disappointed in the expectation of early fruit.
Scions for engrafting or inoculating from most, or all, of the foreign varieties before specified, may be procured either by way of Hamburgh, from the orchardists of that city, or by applying to the gardener who superintends the Electoral Orchard at Herrnhawsen, near Hanover.
With respect to the method of planting the trees:—A wide hole must be dug for each, being sufficiently capacious to receive all the roots freely, so that they may not touch the sides. A single fruit-tree should now be deposited in each hole, one person holding its stem erect, while another breaks the earth in small pieces, and throws it in equally upon the roots; the tree being occasionally shaken, that the mould may lie closely on all the smaller roots and fibres, and the plant be gradually elevated, till the top or crown of the roots is only two or three inches below the common surface of the earth. When the cavity is properly filled, it must be gently pressed with the foot; first on the outside, and then advancing gradually towards the stem, the surface being formed somewhat hollow. Lastly, a few inverted sods, or pieces of turf, must be laid over the whole, so as to form a kind of circular bank, three or four inches high; which will not only support the tree, but at the same time shelter the roots from drying winds, and those droughts that sometimes prevail in hot summers. During these operations, the planters must be particularly attentive, that each tree stand perfectly erect, and be arranged in rows, in the manner above described.
Lastly, the soil beneath and between the fruit-trees, till they arrive at their complete size, should by no means be neglected; as the excellence and maturity of the fruits will in a great measure depend upon its proper culture.—Hence, no grass or weeds should be suffered to grow under the standards; but the ground ought to be frequently stirred with the spade and hoe, in order that the fertilizing particles of rain, air, dew, snow, &c. may more easily penetrate into the earth, and produce beneficial effects on the roots of fruit-bearing trees and shrubs. Such an expedient not only tends to promote their fertility; but it is likewise one of the most effectual means of preserving them in a sound and healthy state. Independently of these advantages, the soil itself will thus be so much improved, that it may serve for raising the most abundant crops of vegetable roots, and especially turnips and potatoes. The former are peculiarly calculated for this purpose; as they do not exhaust the soil in any degree equal to the impoverishing effects of the latter. On the whole, we shall conclude with observing, that the art of gardening has lately been carried to a
