72 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



A glance at these returns will show their general conformity 

 to the opinions of the most experienced fruit-growers in this 

 Commonwealth, to the decisions of the Massachusetts Horti- 

 cultural Society, and of the American Pomological Society. 



These facts and deductions, elicited by the Circular of the 

 Board, have impressed your committee with the expediency of 

 subjoining the following suggestions in relation to fruit culture, 

 or the best means of promoting this art in Massachusetts : — 



I. — Thorough Drainage and the proper Preparation of the Soil. 



Thorough drainage is the great distinguishing feature of the 

 terraculture of the nineteenth century. It rewards the laborer 

 with reduplicating harvests, and gilds his future with the bow 

 of promise. It is the foundation of all good cultivation. It is 

 an indispensable condition of perfect success in Pomology. We 

 might as well expect to promote the comfort and health of a 

 man by seating him at a luxurious table, with his feet plunged 

 in ice water, as to look for the healthy development and lon- 

 gevity of a fruit tree, when planted in a wet and uncongenial 

 soil. The foliage may perform its functions, elaborating and 

 maturing the sap, under a genial sky and salubrious air, but 

 the temperature of such a soil below, will counteract all the 

 propitious influences above. 



In cold, undrained grounds, the disease of trees commences 

 at the root, which absorbs injurious substances, and the tree 

 ceases properly to elaborate its nutritious matter. Wherever 

 there is an excess of water, and consequently too low a tem- 

 perature, and the soil is not properly drained and thoroughly 

 worked, the vital energy of the tree is soon impaired, and its 

 functions deranged. Death by drowning is quite as common 

 in the vegetable as in the animal kingdom, with this difference 

 — that it is not so sudden. Many of the diseases, such as the 

 spotting of the leaf and fruit, the canker, fungi and decompo- 

 sition of the bark, are attributable to imperfect drainage. 

 Perfect drainage permits the air and light to penetrate and 

 sweeten the soil, warms it, and prepares its latent fertilizing 

 properties for the nourishment of the plant. Hence, for the 

 want of this, many of our trees never attain a large size, and 

 die prematurely. 



