STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY. gg 



Bcions took, grew rapidly and made the handsomest tree I ever 

 owned. A few years since I visited that tree, and enjoyed it as 

 I would an old friend. I measured the diameter of the top and 

 found it to be thirty-three feet. I have been informed that it has 

 always been a prolific bearer, and is still a handsome tree. 



Twenty-five years ago I was taught from the books to prepare 

 an asparagus bed by trenching a spot eight feet by ten to a depth 

 of three or four feet, and filling it up, mixed with a cord of 

 stable manure. This I afterwards learned was unnecessary for 

 asparagus, as its roots descend but a few inches, but the roots of 

 a neighboring apple tree found their way to the coveted spot, and 

 for tw'enty-two out" of twenty-five years, I have received my an- 

 nual supply of fall fruit for family use from that one tree. It was 

 the best practical lesson I ever learned in pomology, and my only 

 regret now is, that I had not put it fully in practice ever since. 



So far my experience. Now for my observation. I have a 

 neighbor who selected a plat of ten square rods eighteen j'ears 

 ago, emploj'ed a laborer to trench it all over to the depth of eigh- 

 teen inches, and throw the rocks to the surface. This he did in 

 two days and a half, but which but few men could have done in 

 that time. He then manured it, planted his garden and covered 

 it with apple trees. For several years past he has had his family 

 supply of apples from that little spot. He has planted trees else- 

 where on his farm in the ordinary way from time to time, but I 

 am not aware that he has ever gathered a peck of fruit. If I 

 have not proved my point to your satisfaction^ I have to my own. 

 The rule I would lay down is this : Plant one tree a year if you 

 have the ground well prepared for it. Plant two, or as many more 

 as you can afford, each year. A better general rule would be : 

 Plant just as many trees, and no more, as you have land previously 

 prepared for them in the best possible manner. 



The amount of manure required to keep an apple tree in vigor- 

 ous action is quite large. I have never yet been able to satisfy 

 myself how much manure a large old apple tree would make use 

 of where the soil had become exhausted. I think a cord would 

 not be too jnuch if well trenched into the soil. How far am I out 

 of the way in my judgment? 



I have no doubt that in many locations, a lower standard of 

 cultivating an orchard might be practiced, but I doubt if anything 

 short of what would make a good garden would be the successful 



