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14 Statk Board of Agkiculture, &c. 



Vermont those soils wliich will produce good crops of corn 

 may safely be planted with orchards. 



PKEPARATiOisr OF THE SoiL. — Pcrliaps as good preparation 

 as the soil can receive upon which trees are to be set 

 is that which a good farmer would give to the same field 

 were he prepai'ing it for a premium crop of corn. 



The usual method with those who are trying to do the 

 thing just right, and at the same time think they can cheat 

 nature a little with impunity, is to break the ground, manure 

 heavily for two or three years, planting the ground with hoed 

 crops, and perhaps the third year set the trees, sow with 

 grain and seed down to grass. Upon sotne soils and under 

 ^ome circumstances trees subjected to this treatment may 

 do well, l)ut it will be in spite of the treatment, not because 

 of it. 



The better method would be to set the trees at the time 

 of planting tlie second hoed crop, or when the soil has 

 become well mellowed, thereby giving the trees the benefit 

 of that year's cultivation and continue that cultivation ever 

 afterwards. 



I can anticipate the objection which will be urged against 

 planting a hoed crop with the newly set trees, that is, the 

 inconvenience of cultivating such a field. This, it seems 

 to me, is the only objection which can be urged against 

 this plan ; but, if care is taken to so arrange that the rows 

 of trees will be directly in line with those of corn, the 

 inconvenience will, in a great measure, be obviated ; and, 

 furthermore, I know of no way of succeeding in any honest 

 pursuit independent of some hard labor, of some inconven- 



