ORCHARDS. 193 



was done two or three times during the season, commencing 

 about the first of July, and repeated at intervals of three or 

 four weeks. The wash was applied to that portion of the trunk 

 extending from the surface of the ground, twelve to eighteen 

 inches above and two to three inches below, the earth being 

 removed to this depth, and a careful examination made for the 

 borer at the same time. After whitewashing, the earth was 

 replaced and hilled up about the trunk three or four inches. 

 This method has usually been found sufficient to protect the 

 root ; but if prevented from despositing its eggs there, the 

 insect will not unfrequently resort to the forks of the branches, 

 or any wounded or diseased spots, unless similarly protected ; 

 so that to insure complete exemption from its attacks, a careful 

 inspection of these parts is necessary. 



Another insect noticed in the peach tree, is a small beetle, 

 not larger than a grain of mustard seed, of a black color, which 

 makes for itself a lodgment in the bark, causing the gum to 

 exude, and so giving an unhealthy appearance to the tree. It 

 is found in considerable numbers, the latter part of summer, 

 imbedded in the bark, particularly of old trees, and its perfora- 

 tions then may be easily mistaken for those of the young peach 

 borer. The injury, however, which it does, is much less than 

 that of the borer, and may be prevented also by the application 

 of a coat of whitewash to the whole trunk. 



Dorchester, December 6, 1856. 



Statement of John W. Shaw. 



The apple orchard which I offer for premium was j^lanted on 

 high, dry and strong land, in April and November, 1852. It 

 consists of one hundred and five trees ; eighty Baldwins, fifteen 

 Rhode Island Greenings and ten Russets. 



The holes were made four feet in diameter and two feet deep, 

 and a one horse-cart load of compost of swamp-mud and loam 

 was put into each hole before setting the trees. In 1853, I 

 raised a crop of oats, and laid down the land to grass ; but the 

 grass not taking well, in November 1854, I ploughed it in, and 



in 1855 raised a crop of potatoes, and the present year of corn. 



Grantville, November 14, 1856. 

 25 



