20 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the name of finger and toe disease. It maybe removed by superior manuring, 

 by a large dose of quick lime, or of superphosphate of lime 



Many other diseases might be appropriately and proGtably considered, but 

 this report has already been extended to an unusual length, yet the subject is 

 not exhausted. We have merely crossed the threshold of an ever-extending 

 lab;yrinth. In its preparation, very material aid has been derived from a val- 

 uable essay on vegetable pathology, by T. Lindley Kemp, M. D., and from 

 various other sources. It presents to you a mere abstract of some of the more 

 important facts discovered by the invei^tigation of natural phenomena; but 

 the object of this outline will be attained if it attract attention to a subject 

 second to none in importance, lead to new observations and discoveries, and 

 conduce to the more successful treatment of the diseases of vegetation. 



In the present state of our knowledge, we can do little more than use a few 

 preventive agents, and make a few external applications, but when new facta 

 have accumulated, new inferences been drawn, and new truths established, 

 then a more correct and rational practice will prevail, so tliat it is not chime- 

 rical to suppose that the time may at length arrive, when, after disease has 

 already been developed in plant or tree, remedial agents may be administered, 

 which shall restore them to their pristine health and vigor. To accomplish 

 so desirable a consummation, it is our privilege and duty, as we pass along 

 the highway of life, to study attentively the book of nature, and collect new 

 fiicts, which, like seeds, we may scatter along our path, fur the benefit of our 

 cotemporaries and successors. Thus we shall not have lived in vain, but the 

 humblest shall have added at least a unit to the aggregate sum of useful 

 knowledge. 



Mr. Currier of Lincoln, read the following paper on the topic 

 assigned him at the session in 1861, viz: 



Fruit Culturk. 



No department in all the routine of farm operations, is more useful or in- 

 teresting than fruit culture. And, strange as it may appear, many who have 

 ail the necessary advantages for producing fruit to a greater or less extent, neg- 

 lect it entirely, and seem content to do without themselves, and deny their 

 families tlie greatest luxury the farm can produce. Every one who culti- 

 vates a spot of land should raise fruit, and have it fresh from his own trees. 

 Nothing is more grateful to the taste than good ripe fruit, and it is generally 

 conceded that the free use of it is necessary to the preservation of health. In 

 a pecuniary point of view, it is no small item as an article of food. Nothing 

 is more ornamental around a dwelling, or will better adorn a garden, than 

 fruit trees and vines, with their luxuriant foliage, their fragrant blossoms and 

 blushing fruits, and a good and well conducted orchard may be made one of 

 the most profitable of farm productions. Many who would otherwise like to 

 engage in the business, neglect it, from the mistaken idea that they must 

 wait many years before they can have any returns whatever for their labors. 



A story is told of a farmer who would not plant an orchard, thinking he 

 should not live to be benefited by it ; his son neglected it for the same rea- 

 son, but the grandson — more benevolent than they — planted for posterity, yet 

 they all lived to eat of the fruit of it. 



Many intend to do sometiiing in that line, after they have arranged every- 

 thing else to their taste, not thinking that if tiie trees are set first, they can 

 be glowing wliile otiier things are being attended to. Others are deterred 

 Jrom making any attempt, because trees are sometimes killed by winter or 

 insects destroy trees and fruit. But these frightful olyects are not so formi- 

 dable after all, as they may appear, and not more so than must be encoun- 

 terf'd in any other business. 



If ripe fruit could be gathered from trees in a few months from the time of 

 setting, as is the case with corn and other annuals, every one cultivating a 



