62 CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT 



sliaws, 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 seacoast, a valuable substitute for 

 refuse flax, may be found in fresh sea weed. 1 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, 1 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 

 thiee or four feet, would prove a remedy against the 

 canker worm, by forming a compact substance, through 

 which both the canker moth and worm would be un- 

 able 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 blossoms 

 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 irre- 

 parable injury. If, therefore, the blossoms appear 

 abundant, the fruit should be taken off as soon as 

 formed, leaving 4 or 5 apples on each tree, to ascer- 

 tain their size and quality. Even at a more advanc- 

 ed stage of growth, if part of the apples are taken off 

 In season, the remainder will be much improved in all 

 respects, and the trees will not only produce fruit in 

 higher perfection, but the bearing branches will every 

 year become more vigorous and fruitful. It has been 

 observed, that trees, which begin their bearing gradu- 

 ally, are, in general, more disposed lo afford an annual 

 crop. 



