58 CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT 



be stimulated to a preternatural exertion for a few 

 years, when their prolifick powers will be exhaust- 

 ed, and a premature decay induced. Fresh stable 

 manure is supposed to be injurious to fruit trees. 



There is another expedient, which is understood 

 to have produced favourable effects in promoting 

 the growth of young fruit trees, especially in grass 

 land. The method was published some years ago 

 by a German clergyman, and simply consists in 

 spreading flax-shaws, or the refuse of flax after it 

 has been dressed, on the soil contiguous to the 

 trunks of the trees, as far as the roots extend : by 

 which means their size, as well as their fertility, is 

 remarkably increased. In the vicinity of the sea- 

 coas*, a valuable substitute for refuse flax, may be 

 found in fresh sea weed. I have employed this 

 article with considerable advantage. Being laid 

 thick round the trunk, it prevents the growth of 

 grass and weeds, keeps the earth open and loose, 

 and, I am disposed to believe, prevents field mice 

 from injuring the bark of the trees in winter, as 

 the salt with which this substance is impregnated 

 is supposed to be obnoxious to those vermin. It 

 occurs to me as highly probable, that a quantity of 

 sea weed pressed round the trunks of fruit trees, 

 extending three or four feet, would prove a reme- 

 dy against the canker worm, by forming a compact 

 substance, through which both the canker moth 

 and worm would be unable to penetrate. It might 

 also serve as a protection against the destructive 

 worm, which bores into the tree near the surface 

 of the earth. 



Engrafted apple trees sometimes put forth blos- 

 soms and bear fruit when two or three years old ; 

 but if this premature produce be permitted, the 

 prolifick powers will be greatly impaired, and the 

 trees will suffer irreparable injury. If, therefore, 

 the blossoms appear abundant, the fruit should be 

 taken off as soon as formed, leaving only four or 



