SECRETARY'S REPORT. 179 



promise to pay for it. Why not fruit trees also ? What matters 

 it if no pay comes for the first year, or for the first five years, if it 

 comes in good time, and through a long series of years, and with 

 very large interest ? 



While the trees are young, the ground should be used for some 

 crop which requires the frequent use of the plow, cultivator or 

 hoe, so that it be kept mellow and clean ; and the deeper the land 

 is stirred, the better for the trees ; but as they advance in size, 

 deep stirring is less admissible, and any crop or treatment which 

 serves to keep the land mellow and clean will answer. When too 

 large to admit of easy cultivation, apple orchards may be laid 

 down to grass, with a good share of clover, but never, on any 

 account, allow the sowing of oats or any other small grain. After 

 being laid down, unless the grass is fed off by sheep (the best wa}^ 

 by all odds), the orchard will require manuring. Is it too much 

 to demand double crops, and the main crop a good one, without 

 feeding the land to meet the demand. 



A common practice with some who desire to bestow good treat- 

 ment is, to keep a circle of four to six feet around each tree well 

 hoed and manured after the rest of the ground is in grass. This 

 is good so far as it goes, and is admissible in the case of trees in 

 grass grounds near buildings, where we cannot well dispense with 

 the grass ; but for orchard practice, and to cater for the wants of 

 the great majority of the little rootlets, the true feeders of the 

 tree, it would be much better to have an equal space next the tree 

 in grass with the rest of it cultivated, (see page 141, near bottom). 



By adopting the plan of planting the trees rather thickly in rows 

 wide enough asunder to admit of easy working with the plow in 

 one direction between them, partial cultivation of the soil may be 

 kept up with ease for some years later than it could if the trees 

 were at equal distances in both directions. 



In the case of apple orchards on hill sides, or upon lands too rocky 

 for cultivation, the best method undoubtedly is to occupy them for 

 sheep ranges. Whatever the treatment adopted, let it be remem- 

 bered that much profit cannot be expected unless the trees are 

 thrifty, nor can we form a correct estimate of the real capabilities 

 of any fruit, as to size, flavor or productiveness from the product 

 of unthrifty trees. 



Eegarding the propriety of using orchards in grass for sheep 

 ranges, I will add here the testimony of one of the best cultivators 



