ESSEX SOCIETY. 37 



surface of the ground near the tree. In June I have applied 

 about a quart of ashes near the trunk of the trees, to prevent 

 the depredations of the borer, which I think has been effectual. 

 I have also, early in June of each year, washed the trees with 

 a composition of about equal parts of lime, clay and cow ma- 

 nure, well worked together, the effect of which is to keep the 

 tree smooth and free from moss and insects. This annual 

 washing I have practised for some years, and shall continue to 

 practise, as long as I own a tree, its beneficial effects being to 

 me so apparent. 



Wenham, Oct. 7, 1850. 



Lewis Alien'' s Statement. 



My orchard of young apple trees contains two hundred Bald- 

 wins ; one hundred of these trees were set in the spring of 

 1848, the other hundred were set in the spring of 1849. 

 They were selected from several nurseries, always taking care 

 to get trees about the same size, and the fairest in appearance. 

 They were generally two or three years from the bud. At the 

 time of setting, holes were dug four feet square, the top soil 

 thrown on one side, and the subsoil on another ; the hole was 

 then partially filled with soil, to the depth of one foot, the tree 

 was then inserted, and filled about with soil, and the subsoil 

 taken out was spread around. No other manure was applied to 

 the trees, except the general dressing upon the ground. The 

 trees were set about thirty-three feet apart each way, covering 

 about two acres. 



The land is a gravelly loam, and previous to the year 1844, 

 it had been a common pasture, when it was ploughed to kill 

 the wood-wax, with which it was fully covered. Since that 

 time it has been under cultivation with the various kinds of 

 hoed crops, except that one part of the lot was sowed with 

 barley the last season. Where the barley grew, the trees did 

 not grow. I am satisfied the crop operated unfavorably upon 

 the trees. Eleven of the trees among the barley died ; I have 

 supplied their place with others. 



Most of the trees have made a handsome growth of wood, 

 and now have a smot?i bark, and a healthy, vigorous appear- 



