FRUIT-GROWING. 77 



Mr. Brown. I take them immediately from the orchard 



into the cellar. 



Question. What is your method of cultivation ? 



Mr. Brown. By ploughing, keeping the orchard up, and 

 keeping it fertilized properly. 



Gov. Long. Did that change it into the odd year ? 



Mr. Brown. I think it did. Trees, by the usual method 

 of culture, cannot produce a large crop two years in succes- 

 sion ; but, by giving the orchard extra care, we get a good 

 crop the second year. That is, we may : I do not say that 

 it is sure ; but, by making it bear the second year, it becomes 

 pretty well exhausted, and of course the trees then require 

 rest, and, by going over the even year, they are ready again 

 for the odd year. That is what I have arrived at, and 1 have 

 had good success. 



Question. What kind of fertilizer do you consider the 

 best for an orchard ? 



Mr. Brown. I do not know any thing better than ashes 

 or potash. 



Question. What distance apart do you set your trees? 



Mr. Brown. Thirty-three feet. 



Mr. Pierce. Have you practised fertilizing with potash 

 salts ? 



Mr. Brown. I have not practised it much, only with my 

 peaches and grapes. 



Question. Do you barrel your apples immediately after 

 picking them ? 



Mr. Brown. It is my practice to take them from the 

 trees, barrel them, and take them to the cellar on a spring 

 wagon, and immediately deposit them in this cellar, in the 

 barrels, unless I am short of barrels. 



Question. You head them up at once '? 



Mr. Brown. Head them up at once. 



Question. Do not apples keep better by being picked a 

 little before they are fully ripe ? 



Mr. Brown. An apple in that condition would be likely 

 to wilt too much. The time for picking apples is when they 

 are thoroughly grown. I would have the fruit fully ripe 

 before picking ; that is, fully matured. 



Question. Not mellow? 



Mr. Brown. The apple then is beginning to decay. 



