CROPS AND PROFITS 



and cleanliness which the old orchard wore; 

 and I am sorry to say that in regard to very 

 many of the trees, it was all the repayment I 

 have ever received. 



Among the apple trees was a large number 

 of that old favorite the Newtown pippin; and 

 these, I am sorry to say, were the most mossy 

 and dilapidated of all; nor did they improve. 

 No scrapings or prunings tempted them to 

 any luxuriance of growth. One by one they 

 have been cut away, until now only two re- 

 main. The nurserymen tell us that the tree 

 is not adapted to the soil and climate of New 

 England. I can confirm their testimony with 

 unction. 



There was, also, a stalwart company of trees 

 bearing that delightful little dessert fruit — the 

 Lady apple. And I think my pains added 

 somewhat to their thrift; they are sturdy, and 

 full of leaves every summer; and every May, 

 in its latter days sees them a great pyramid of 

 blooming and blushing white. But after the 

 bloom, the beauty is never fully restored. 

 There is fruit indeed, but small, pinched, 

 pierced with curculio stings, bored through 

 and through with the worm of the apple-moth ; 

 and over and above all, every apple is patched 

 with a mouldy blight which forbids full growth, 



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