SECRETARY'S REPORT. 185 



in a more perfect and efficient manner by digging narrow radiating 

 trenehes ffom within a few feet of tlie trunk, directly from it — this 

 •will prevent cutting many of the roots. These may then be filled 

 with a compost, made of turf, stable manure, ashes, and perhaps a 

 little bone manure — the turf to be the chief constituent, say one- 

 half or two-thirds — and the ashes say one-thirtieth. The bone 

 manure is not essential, as its constituent parts are in common 

 manure in small quantities. If this is done in autumn, the roots 

 will be prepared to penetrate it early in spring, and if the tree is 

 not past recovery, it may take a new start. The roots, probably, 

 extend as far each way as the height of the tree, and the trenches 

 should extend about as far. They need not be cut very near the 

 tree, as the roots are all large there, and would be more likely to 

 be injured and would be little benefited. The trenches should be 

 only the width of a spade, and may be two to four feet apart." 



Second, pruning is essential to the thrift and good condition of 

 an orchard. As to the proper season for performing this operation, 

 many different opinions are put forth — some regarding the spring, 

 and others the fall as the better time. Others yet, are not particu- 

 lar as to the time, but as to the manner in which the job is accomp- 

 lished. Dr. True says : "The early spring months are usually the 

 most convenient for this purpose, and I never could perceive any 

 injury to the tree ; but it is absolutely necessary that the wounds 

 be covered with a coat of paint. Eed ochre and linseed oil mixed 

 together quite thick, and put on rather liberally with a brush, is 

 as cheap and as good as any thing." 



Grafting, is the third means of renovating old orchards. For 

 the method of doing this, I refer the reader to a communication 

 which I shall presently make extracts from. 



With the exception of the natural fruit, the more common varie- 

 ties are the Fall Pippin, the Pearmain, the Greening and the Rox- 

 bury Russet. The Thompson is an excellent fall^ apple, and the 

 Somerset, which originated in Mercer, is a large, good flavored 

 apple, but will not keep through the winter. 



Pears, peaches, and the list of small fruits, receive but little or 

 no cultivation. Cherries, horse-plums, and currants, are often seen 

 in gardens and by fence-sides, but as a general thing they are 

 neglected and uncared for. Greater attention to these fruits would 

 demand but little of the farmer's time, and their yield would add 

 much to the luxury and pleasure of living. 



It gives me pleasure to add to my own imperfect remarks, a 



