346 BRISTOL SOCIETY. 



Fruit Trees. 



There was awarded to Samuel Carpenter, of Attle- 

 boroiigh, for the best orchard of fruit trees, (433 in 

 number,) the first premium of - - $10 00 



To Daniel H. Leonard, of Seekonk, for the second 



best, (726 trees,) - - - - 5 00 



D. H. Leonard's Statement. 



My trees were set since 1845, and were from two to six years 

 old from the bud or graft, when set out. My apple trees are 

 set from twenty-five to thirty-five feet apart, with peach trees 

 set between them. The pear trees are from twelve to twenty- 

 five feet apart, and are all on pear stocks but four, which are on 

 quince stocks. The cherry trees are from twenty to thirty feet 

 apart, and most of them on the borders of the orchard. The 

 cost of the trees varied according to size and variety. The 

 apple trees from 20 cts. to $1 each ; pear, from 50 cts, to $3 ; 

 cherry, from 50 cts. to $1 each ; peach, from 20 to 25 cts. ; 

 quince, 25 to 50 cts. ; plum, from 50 to 75 cts. They were 

 purchased from nurseries in this vicinity, and vicinity of Bos- 

 ton and New York, and many of the pear trees were imported 

 from France. 



The trees are set on about eight acres. The land is full of 

 small stones, and good building stones are got out annually. I 

 carry off from twenty-five to fifty horse loads of small stones 

 every spring, and there are as many more on top of the ground 

 to be removed this spring. It is high ground and good soil ; 

 holds manure well. The trees never suffer from drought. I 

 plant every year among them, corn, potatoes, and other vegeta- 

 bles, and spread and plough in every year, stable manure, well 

 mixed with sea-weed. Sea-weed is used for bedding in the 

 stable, and then goes into the cellar beneath, where it is well 

 mixed by the hogs. The sea-weed keeps the ground loose and 

 moist. I put sea-weed around my trees, the first year after 

 transplanting them, and seldom lose a tree. I spread hard coal 

 and wood ashes around my peach trees. The sea- weed gives 

 them salt enough. I head in the peach trees every spring, and 



