potatoes were grown), and also some scattering Baldwin 

 trees about the buildings, one of which stood just by the 

 hen yard, and where the ashes from the kitchen stove were 

 dumped. The fruit from this one tree was as different from 

 the rest as a Texas steer is from a Shorthorn. It had qual- 

 ity to it, — looked like the Oregon Spitzenburgs, — while 

 that across the road was the usual uninviting type of Bald- 

 win too often seen. 



Another point which we intend to insist on is giving the 

 young trees a balanced ration of fertilizer from the start. 

 I believe that a very common mistake is made by assuming 

 that the young tree needs only nitrogen for its growth, and 

 that not until a tree comes into bearing is there any necessity 

 of applying either potash or phosphoric acid. So long as 

 our young trees are as big as Smith's of the same age, we 

 are content, — mere bigness apparently being the only thing 

 desired; whereas, if our trees got more potash and phos- 

 phoric acid from the start, they would far sooner turn from 

 wood growth to fruiting. This I am obliged to admit, is 

 largely theory, but it is a theory in which I firmly believe 

 and on which I intend to act. 



One other point before we leave this matter of fertilizers ; 

 and that is, the question of lime. I am satisfied that this 

 is another line of orchard fertilization which is altogether 

 too thoroughly neglected. It has been my observation that 

 the very best fruit lands are those which have in them a 

 large percentage of lime. It gives a sturdy, stocky growth 

 to the trees, and a high color and fine quality to the fruit. 

 We are therefore planning to give it a prominent place in 

 our list of fertilizers, and have already taken up the question 

 of where we can get it and in what form we shall apply it. 

 There are four different forms in which it can be had: first, 

 air-slaked lime; second, fresh-burned lime; third, hydrated 

 lime; and fourth, ground limestone. Of these, we have de- 

 cided on the last as the best for our purposes. It will cost 

 us less than any of the others ($1 per ton at the kiln, or $4 

 per ton laid down in Amherst), and I believe for our pur- 

 pose is better than any of the others. It comes finely ground, 



