[ 211 ] 



On Orchards. 

 Read March, 8th, 1808. 



Belmont, February I7t/i, 1808. 

 Sir, 



I send to you, that it may be communicated to the. 

 society, an excellent letter from TK Coxe Esq. of Bur' 

 lington, of whom I requested the favour of his informa- 

 tion on the subject of it. He is judiciously, and with 

 srii'it, prosecuting an extensive plan of nurseries and 

 orchards, unrivalled in this country. One sheet of such 

 communication of actual f.ractice, is more instructive 

 tlian a quire of theory. His orchards have not yet ar- 

 rived at sufficient maturity, to determine, whether the 

 practice he is pursuing will be beneficial, when they 

 are in full bearing. For young trees, there is no doubt 

 of its great advantages. But I still have my doubts, 

 whether enriching and constantly cultivating old or- 

 chards, will be found advantageous. 'Occasionally 

 ploughing an old orchard is serviceable, to promote the 

 health of the trees. But manuring and loosening the 

 soil too much, I fear cause them to overbear, and by 

 forwarding the fruit too soon, to drop before the sea- 

 son for gathering to keep, or for cyder. In the south- 

 ern part of our state (New Garde?!, New London, ^c.J 

 they have large orchards, on lands absolutely worn out; 

 and fit for little else. Their fruit remains till the pro- 

 per season ; and they gather abundant crops. There is 

 something, no doubt, in the change of the product; for 

 I know that trees will grow wonderfully, on fields where 

 grain has ceased to thrive. But their soil is naturally 

 poor. 



