ORCHARDS. 195 



sprouts, once or twice a year, and have endeavored to keep them 

 in a healthy condition by labor and manure. 



I have grafted with Greenings, Baldwins, Seek-no-furthers, 

 Nonesuch, Boston Russets, Pippins, and many other varieties. 

 The orchard now produces a hundred bushels of apples. 



FRANKLIN. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Seven entries were made for premiums, of apple orchards, and 

 three, for peach orchards. The committee believe they are able 

 to report an increasing and commendable interest manifested in 

 the cultivation of fruit trees. And why should it not be so ? It 

 is too late to make it necessary to go into an argument to prove 

 the utility of the apple or peach tree, the grape vine or the cur- 

 rant bush. Ai'C they not on every farm ? If not, they ought 

 to be. What with so little trouble and expense can furnish the 

 proprietor, even of a small plot of ground, so much satisfaction 

 and comfort, as a few fruit and ornamental trees and vines ? 

 The blossoms of spring, the cooling shade of summer, and the 

 changing hues of autumn, together with their luscious fruits, 

 combine to render trees, shrubs, and vines objects of l^eauty, 

 comfort and profit. 



A practical application of science was shown the committee, 

 by Mr. Arms, he having two apple trees girdled by mice, had 

 ingeniously inserted a few scions, the ends being suitably 

 shaped for the purpose, under the bark above and below, and 

 covering the wound with wax or earth, the scions had increased 

 in size, and the trees indicated vigor and thrift. 



The committee would observe, that in order to secure growth 

 in fruit trees, care must be taken — 



1st. In setting thrifty and vigorous trees, they should be so 

 stocky as not to require supporting at the top with a stake and 

 string. If your object be profit, do not try to cultivate the 

 fancy or new and untried varieties, but secure a few sorts only 

 of established reputation for growth, bearing, and quality. 



2nd. Let your ground be well prepared and well manured, 

 but let no heating or stimulating manures come in contact with 

 the roots of the tree. 



