ORCHARDS. 127 



have them and carry off the surplus water. I think that three 

 rods each way is as far as we can expect them to operate, or 

 about 40 rods per acre. 



Danvees, September 21, 1859. 



ORCHARDS. 



WORCESTER NORTH. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



The only entry for premiums offered for the best peach 

 orchard, was made by Addison Hubbard, of Fitchburg. The 

 orchard is now ten years old, and has been pruned every year 

 after the method given by Downing. The orchard standing 

 upon a light soil, the annual growth is only moderate. These 

 two conditions have doubtless contributed to the prolongation of 

 the life of the trees beyond the ordinary time during which the 

 peach, in this locality, is maintained in bearing condition. 

 The trees have still a comparatively healthy look, and with a 

 considerable degree of care may be made to do some service 

 yet. 



Our experience teaches us that a more severe pruning is requi- 

 site to the continuance of a peach tree through a long life in a 

 healthy condition ; and our practice is, every two, three or 

 four years, according to the luxuriance of the tree, in addi- 

 tion to the usual heading in of the young shoots, to cut 

 back the larger limbs, so as to force a growth of young wood 

 from near the centre of the tree, and thus prevent that long 

 extension of limbs, destitute of young wood, which is so 

 common. By this means a peach tree may be kept in a healthy 

 and fruitful state for many years. There are instances on 

 record, of trees that have lived for a century and borne regular 

 crops. . This, however, can only be attained by constant care 

 and attention to the wants of the tree. Excessive growth must 

 be repressed, and the tree be made to branch low, from one to 

 two feet from the ground, and then such a course of pruning 



