120 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



and Joiiathau. The last two on the list are better top-grafted on some 



other variety. 



Apple trees should not be set nearer than thirty feet — forty would be better. 



Trees to do well should not be over three years old. I prefer two years in 



preference to older. Trim off all side branches and leave the stem not over 



three feet in height. 



Low headed trees produce more fruit, which is much easier picked. Oh ! 



but some say we cannot plow close to our trees if they are branched low. 



There is where a great deal of hurt is done to an orchard, plowing close and 



breaking large roots. Do not try to take too much from your land. 



The first four or five years hoed crops can be raised if land is kept in good 



condition. 



lu peach trees the same trimming is necessary, but the trees should not be 



over one year old. About sixteen feet is the proper distance to set peach trees. 

 For varieties I would name Hale's Early, Mountain Kose, Early Crawford, 



Late Crawford, and Smock. This gives a succession of choice peaches. The 



first two are white fleshed, the balance yellow- 

 In quinces the Orange variety will be the most satisfactory. Quinces need 



more manure than either apples or peaches. Mulching with any course 



material will be found very beneficial. 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



Under this head comes grapes, currants, gooseberries, strawberries, raspber- 

 ries, and blackberries, with which every farm should be bountifully supplied. 

 Plant them all in long rows so cultivation cau mostly be done by horse power. 



Grapes — Under this head I would recommend Moore's Early, Concord, and 

 Martha, the Martha being greenish white the others black. If convenient 

 a trellis can be made along a fence, thus economizing space. Do not set vines 

 too close together, not closer than eight feet. 



In currants the Ked Dutch and Fay's Prolific are the best. 



For varieties of gooseberries Houghton's and Downiug's will give the best 

 satisfaction. 



Strawberries should be planted in rows three and one-half to four feet apart 

 and one foot in the row. The Wilson is the standard variety, although the 

 Manchester, Mount Vernon, Sharpless, James Vick, etc. all do well. 



Raspberries should be planted in rows five to six feet apart and about three 

 feet in the row. When plants get about two feet high nip off the tops ; this 

 makes them throw out side branches, making them stocky and well balanced. 

 Late in fall (when growth has stopped) or early spring cut back these laterals 

 t(^ one foot or eighteen inches according to strength of plant. For varieties 

 the following are first class : Turner and Cuthbert for red, and Souhegan, 

 Tyler, and Gregg for blackcaps. 



Blackberries need the same treatment as raspberries in pruning, etc., but 

 the rows should be at least seven feet apart. The Snyder and Taylor's 

 Prolific are the only varieties I would recommend. They are both hardy and 

 very prolific. 



Thorough culture and pruning is the only way to grow choice fruit and all 

 will be well paid by so doing. Eat abundantly — fresh, ripe fruit will hurt no 

 one, but will add to the health of all. 



In this short paper I have simply given an outline of the different reliable 

 kinds and varieties of fruits, knowing that there is much more of interest in 

 the discussions that will follow than in the paper itself. 



