72 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



tree ever since William Blackstone planted his orchard on 

 Boston Common. 



The matter of changing the bearing year has been pretty 

 thoroughly discussed from time to time, and still the problem 

 remains unsolved. 



WhUe it has generally been regarded as " a consummation 

 devoutly to be wished," but few, I apprehend, have suffi- 

 ciently and carefully experimented, so as to determine 

 whether the possibility of making the change lies within the 

 bounds of human attainment. 



Were it an easy matter to make the change, all would do 

 it; and in a few years we should be no better off than at 

 present : the odd years would be simply years of plenty, 

 instead of the even years. Hence it is plain that it is not 

 the bearing year that needs our attention so much as the 

 barren year. In fact, the thing really desirable, and the one 

 we should aim to accomplish, is a fair yield of choice fruit 

 every year. I have strong reasons for believing that by 

 proper and judicious management this end can be attained. 



Nature is ever prodigal in the provision she makes for the 

 preservation and perpetuation of species. Hence the ten- 

 dency of most all fruit-trees is to set more fruit than they 

 can perfect : especially is it so with the apple ; and the barren 

 year is undoubtedly the result of exhaustion. Now, if the 

 tree can be relieved of its burden in a measure the bearing 

 year, and stimulated to production the following year, is it 

 not reasonable to suppose, that, by following up the treat- 

 ment a few years, this most desirable result can be accom- 

 plished ? 



Orchards located near woodlands, or any place where par- 

 tridges pass the winter, seldom fail to produce uniform crops 

 of apples. When a deep snow cuts off their natural food, 

 they resort to the apple-trees, and feed on the buds, thus 

 contravening Nature in her prolific intentions. 



A young man from Bristol County, who went to Pennsyl- 

 vania some twenty years ago, wrote me in the spring of 1875, 

 saying, " I took your advice, and set an orchard of two hun- 

 dred trees. I wish you could see it. INIy neighbors regard 

 it as a model of perfection. It has been in bearing live or six 

 years ; and, although it only bears the even years, it is the 

 most profitable investment I have made since leaving the old 



