100 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



PRUNING. 



Most people prune in the spring. Some writers recommend 

 other seasons of the year. Undoubtedly the spring is the best 

 time for tlie severing of very considerable branches, and even 

 then the wounds should be well covered. But for the heading 

 in of young trees, some tliink the best time is when the growing 

 ceases for the season, and immediately after the fruit is gathered. 

 Then, it is held, the ends left bare have a good while in which 

 to harden, and the trees and vines will be all ready in spring- 

 time to put forth vigorously without the loss of time. Others 

 thinly thfit pruning trees at tlio season named, the ends of the 

 twigs left bare by cutting are apt to winter-kill, and that fruit is 

 lost thereby. All agree that autumn is the time for pruning 

 grape-vines. As to trees, as in other things, experience is the 

 best schoolmaster. 



VfORK WILL PAY. ■» 



Allow us to suggest : Set out young trees, protect their roots 

 from the hard frosts, and dress with old dressing. Tlius mul- 

 tiply your number of trees. Graft and bud extensively ! Mr. 

 Christopher R. Beetle, of Edgartown, lias, by grafting, thirty 

 different varieties of pears on one tree. Raise your own grape- 

 -vines from cuttings of the best varieties, and thus save 

 j)urchasing. 



WE SHOULD WORK BOTH FOR OURSELVES AND FOR OTHERS. 



Some say they have not the time. It is rather, probably, in 

 many cases, the lack of an inclination. IIow nuich more time 

 is squandered in various ways than would suffice to make every 

 land-owner a good orchard and garden. Persons somewhat 

 advanced in life neglect to plant trees and vines because they 

 think they may not live to eat the fruit. Is not this selfish ? 

 And do we not almost all of us work for posterity by endeavor- 

 ing to add to our possessions in some way ? Continue, fellow- 

 citizens, to improve your premises in the matter of fruit-growing, 

 as well as in other things. Somebody will reap the benefit. 



Hebron Vincent, for the Committee. 



