418 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



quantities, having suffered, in common with others throughout 

 the country, the effects of cold the previous winter. 



In pruning, the shortening in method has been followed, the 

 object being to give a round apple-tree shape to the tree, and to 

 prevent overbearing. The time selected for this purpose has 

 usually been the last of March or beginning of April. 



For the prevention of the borer, various remedies have been 

 tried, but none with so much success as whitewashing. This has 

 been 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 tlie 

 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 depositing its eggs there, the parent 

 insect will not unfrequently resort to other parts, as to the forks 

 of the branches, or any wounded or diseased spots, unless simi- 

 larly protected ; so that to insure complete exemption from its 

 attacks, a careful inspection of these parts also becomes neces- 

 sary. 



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, and 

 may be prevented by the application of a coat of whitewash to 

 the whole trunk. 



Dorchester, December G, 1856. 



Statement of John W. Shaiv. 



Apples. — The apple orchard which I offer for premium was 

 planted on high, dry and strong land, in April and November, 



