35 2 TRANSACTIONS. 



earth around the tree so as to induce the trunk to put forth roots above 

 coition. The most hardy variety we have is the Bartlett. Standards of 

 it are generally preferable, as they come into bearing sooner than most 

 varieties. 



The Peach is very abundant, and succeeds best on our highest north- 

 ern slopes. The cultivation of this fruit has not been very remunerative 

 so far, for the want of a railroad. 



The best soil for the peach is a loose, lively loam, with a tough, red 

 sub-soil. An occasional dressing around the roots with wood ashes, to 

 stimulate the trees and keep out the borers, allowing the hogs to devour 

 all the fallen fruit, is about all that is necessary for the good of both tree 

 and fruit. Swine, in eating up the prematurely-foUen fruit, eat up with 

 it the larvae of the curculio. One hog in a peach orchard is worth more 

 than a man with sheet and bumper. Heath Cling is our best peach. 



Grapes — But little attention has been paid to vine culture until within 

 a very few years. Preparations are being made now, however, to grow 

 grapes to a considerable extent. Several vineyards have been planted 

 within the last few years for the production of wine, succeeding well. 

 The Concord is claimed to be the hardiest of all the varieties that have 

 been thoroughly tested. We believe the Herbemont will prove to be very 

 hardy. I am giving it a fair trial. I produced about twenty-five pounds 

 of them the past season on a two-year old vine, grafted on the wild stock, 

 notwithstanding this was the worst season for grapes we have had for 

 years. 



Cherries, plums, and strawberries are abundant. Wilson is consid- 

 ered the best shipping strawberry, 



[Explanation — Owing to delay caused by the burning of the State Bindery at 

 Springfield, the report of the State Entomologist has not been received for publi- 

 cation in this volume. — Secretary.] 



