144 WHAT I KNOW OF FABMING. 



grown, leaving the ground to the young grass. Let 

 the grass be mowecl/or the next two or three years, and 

 thenceforward devote it to the pasturage of Swine, 

 running over it with a scythe once or twice each Sum- 

 mer to clear it of weeds, and taking out the Swine a 

 few days before beginning to gather the Apples, but 

 putting them back again the day after the harvest is 

 completed. Let the Swine be sufficiently numerous 

 and hungry to eat every apple that falls within a few 

 hours after it is dropped, and to insure their rooting 

 out every grub or worm that burrows in the earth 

 beneath the trees, ready to spring up and apply him- 

 self to mischief at the very season when you could 

 best excuse his absence. I do not commend this as 

 all, or nearly all, that should be done in resistance to 

 the pest of insect ravage ; but I begin with the Hog 

 as the orchardist's readiest, cheapest, most effective 

 ally or servitor in the warfare he is doomed unceas- 

 ingly to wage against the spoilers of his heritage. I 

 will indicate some further defensive enginery in my 

 next chapter. 



