136 THE FAT OF THE LAND 



were well worth considerable attention. They 

 could not hereafter be cultivated, for they were 

 all in the soiling lot for the cows, but they could 

 be pruned and sprayed. The lack of cultivation 

 would be compensated by the fertilization inci- 

 dent to a feeding lot. The trees would give 

 shade and comfort to the cows, while the cows 

 fed and nourished the trees, a fair exchange. 



The crop of the year before, though half 

 the apples were stung, had brought nearly $300. 

 With better care, and consequently better fruit, 

 we could count on still better results, for the 

 varieties were excellent (Baldwins, Jonathans, 

 and Rome Beauties) ; so we trimmed carefully 

 and burned the rubbish. This precaution, 

 especially in the case of dead limbs, is impor- 

 tant, for most dead wood in young trees is due 

 to disease, often infectious, and should be burned 

 at once. 



I bought a spraying-pump (for $13), which 

 was fitted to a sound oil barrel, and we 

 were ready to make the first attack on fungus 

 disease with the Bordeaux mixture. This was 

 done by Johnson and Anderson late in the month. 

 Another vigorous spraying with the same mixture 

 when the buds were swelling, another when the 

 flower petals were falling, and still another when 

 the fruit was as large as peas (the last two spray- 

 ings had Paris green added to the Bordeaux 

 mixture), and the fight against apple enemies 

 was ended for that year. 



