8 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1877. 



come in bearing; and even if neglected at that time, they can be planted 

 out afterward and in six or eight years will be sufficiently grown to afford 

 protection. There are other trees which also are desirable for protecting 

 the orchard ; the White Pine, the Norway Spruce and the Hemlock. These 

 trees are of spreading habit, requiring more room, but as it is always de- 

 sirable to add to the beauty of the landscape, a variety of trees if judi- 

 ciously planted, having a regard for appearances, will be both ornamental 

 and useful; but old-fashioned farmers have strong objections to trees, 

 and cherish the dogma that they injure grass more than do tlie winds; at 

 the same time forgetting all about the advantage and shelter they afford 

 the fruit, as well as other crops. But the're are those who love to believe 

 that true economy and true taste are accordant; and that the graces, as 

 well as the profits of life, may be kept alive and in view, by the practical 

 aims of all farmers worthy of the name. 



In considering the cultivation of the apple we have therefore concluded 

 that due economy requires that the orchard, and trees growing out of the 

 orchard, should be well sheltered from fierce winds from any quarter, and 

 especially from the drying winds blowing from southwest or northwest 

 to insure good crops; and if large annual crops of fair fruit are expected 

 no otlier crop should be taken from the ground, unless annually enriched. 

 But if the soil is deep and retentive of manures and moisture, and the 

 trees are planted at least forty feet apart, other crops may be taken from 

 the orchard without apparent injury to the apples. The soil must by no 

 means be allowed to become impoverished, but should receive an annual 

 dressing of suitable manures. Experience teaches that for extensive 

 orchards, trees planted forty feet apart is a desirable distance; the trees 

 growing shapely, and giving ample space for cultivation of other crops 

 if desired ; and it must be remembered the roots of trees occupy and are 

 nourished by the lower strata of the soil to a considerable extent, and the 

 tops unquestionably derive sustenance from the ocean of atmosphere 

 that surrounds them. 



In the earlier history of Pomology in this county, the fruit-grower had 

 but few insects to contend with; but it is found that just in proportion as 

 you increase, improve and cultivate your fruits, insect enemies increase 

 in like proportion, confronting the fruit-grower on every hand, and there- 

 by his best efforts are often thwarted. We can only master these enemies 

 by studying their habits, and we may thank the entomologists that have 

 pointed out their habits, and the life history of every insect that make 

 depredations in the orchard and garden. Among the insects that com- 

 mence at the root or base of the tree is the too well known apple tree borer. 

 They do vast injury to the apple tree, but they are easily checked if taken 

 in their early stages of insect life. The egg is deposited near the base of 



