On the injurious Effects of Clover to Orchards 121 



wash hand bason around each tree ; in this state they are 

 left until the season of cultivation, the following spring, 

 the ice and water which frequently fill the hole during the 

 winter, effectually kill the worm, should it have eluded 

 my search and descended into the roots for winter co- 

 vering. I also endeavour to prevent excessive bearing, 

 by close pruning, which I have long found more effica- 

 cious in peach, than in any other fruit trees. 



With respect to orchards being injured by clover, I 

 am yet undetermined in my opinion. I cannot think that 

 clover in itself can be more injurious than other grasses. 

 I have for some time believed, that annual cultivation 

 is necessar}^ for young orchards. I have found nothing 

 better than Indian corn. The most injurious effects 

 from clover, I have supposed to be, the difficulty of 

 keeping the ground in a loose state, around the trees, 

 and the quantity of vermin enticed by the roots of the 

 clover. I have about seventy to eighty acres compris- 

 ing upwai'ds of 2000 apple trees, from 12 years, to one 

 yeai's planting out, and I have every year to renew forty, 

 fifty or sixty young trees destroyed by giound mice, 

 during the winter. This evil is entirely confined to 

 the clover grounds. I am continuing one farm under 

 corn exclusively, for the purpose of promoting the 

 growth of the orchards, and shall be very paiticular in 

 my observations. 



I had forgot to mention that I have directed the peach 

 trees to be sent of young and thrifty growths. I am 

 persuaded that large peach ti^ees however vigorous can- 



Dd 



