84 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



but about fifty of them whicli were not large enough. Put two 

 scions in a stub. In 1850, 1 cut out one where there were two, 

 and found roots on the scions fifteen inches long. "We set out 

 two or three of them tliat were cut off and they lived and grew 

 finely. I have ploughed the lot deep, every year but one, since 

 the trees were set out. Three years I manured with compost 

 manure, three shovelfuls to a tree, the other two years, two 

 quarts of ashes to a tree ; never have washed them with any 

 thinr 



^S' 



Pepperell, 1853. 



H. H. Bigelow^s Statement. 



I send you a statement concerning my apple orchard, which 

 contains one hundred and ninety-two trees, standing on four 

 and one-quarter acres of land. The soil is a deep, dark loam, 

 and was considerably rocky before the trees were set out. The 

 land was dug up, and ploughed, the rocks removed, and the 

 holes dug for the trees, in the fall of 1850, and the trees were 

 set out the April following. The holes were dug about twenty 

 inches deep, and from five to seven feet wide, and two rods 

 apart; the best part of the soil being laid by itself, to put 

 around the roots, after mixing with it about two bushels of 

 compost manure to each tree. Care was taken that the trees 

 were set at the same depth they were before being trans- 

 planted, and that the roots were spread and arranged in their 

 natural positions. The land was, the same year, and the fol- 

 lowing, planted with corn, and hay was put around the trees to 

 keep the ground moist; but I removed it in the fall, for fear of 

 the mice, and put, instead, compost manure, to support the 

 trees and keep the soil warm during winter, — spreading it 

 upon the land in the spring. I have washed the trees with 

 potash- water once — one pound of potash to a pailful of water. 

 I think too frequent washing not good for the trees. I have 

 trimmed the trees, thus far, in the months of INfay and June. 

 I never was troubled much by borers, caterpillars, etc. The 

 trees are mostly Baldwins, and were two years from the bud 

 when set out. 



Marlboro', September 12, 1853. 



