98 MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 



Peach Trees. 



E. G. Whittemore's Statement. 



I have five hundred peach trees, which are now four years 

 old from the stone ; eight hundred which are three years old 

 from the stone ; seven hundred which are two years old from 

 the stone ; and about fifteen hundred that are one year old from 

 the stone. These trees were all set the same year that they 

 were budded. In regard to the mode of cultivation, my manner 

 has been, to keep the soil stirred up light, using a little ashes but 

 no manure. In relation to protecting trees from the ravages of 

 insects, my practice has been to let them entirely alone, as they 

 work only a few weeks. I have come to the conclusion that, in 

 attempting to destroy them, we injure the trees more than the 

 insects do. My trees stand about ten feet from each other. 



Ashland, Sept. 15, 1847. 



Pear Trees. 



Titus Bullard 's Statement. 



I have in all about 2000 fruit trees, more than 4.00 of which 

 are pear trees, 700 peach, and the balance, apple, cherry and plum 

 trees. A large number of the trees were transplanted in 1S44. I 

 commenced preparing the ground in the autumn preceding, by 

 digging the holes four feet wide and two feet deep. About one 

 third of a load of mud, well mixed with loam, was then put into 

 each hole, and early in April I commenced setting the trees. Be- 

 fore setting the trees, the roots were wet, and then carefully 

 placed in the position in which they were designed to grow, and 

 fine loam was closely packed around them. Where the ground 

 was not at all cultivated, a ridge of land about four or five 

 feet in width was ploughed upon each row. This has been 

 ploughed every year since the trees were set out. Taking into 

 consideration the number set out, and the dry season which fol- 



