8i 



recently added to my collection a few trees of the "Wild Goose 

 Plum" which is said to resist all attacks of the curculio, if so it 

 will prove a valuable acquisition. Light and well drained soil is 

 best adapted for the plum. 



STATEMENT OF THOS. CAPERS, NEWBURYPORT. 



As regards peaches, we have a very favorable place for a few 

 trees being sheltered from the north and north-west. We have 

 in all twelve trees some of wdiich are over twenty years old. I 

 find the best way is to plant out one or two every year to keep 

 up the stock. 



Our trees suffer more from over-cropping and September gales 

 than any disease, we have lost several large trees within a few 

 years from that cause. Trees one year from the bud are better 

 for transplanting than larger ones. Light, sandy soil or gravel- 

 ly is better than damp, heavy soil as the trees do not make so 

 much growth and the wood ripens better and produces more 

 fruit buds. Prune away half their growth every spring. 



I have not manured at all since they were planted. The Sus- 

 quehenna. exhibited at the Fair, is planted in a narrow fiower 

 bed about eighteen inches wide with a gravel walk ten feet in 

 width by the side of it, so that it is most all gravel. I planted 

 the Susquehanna and Hale's Early in 1869, up to this year the 

 former has been a very shy bearer, this year a full crop. Hale's 

 Ear!y has fruited every year full since planted, only one year did 

 the rot affect them which is common to that variety. 



I should recommend Hale's Early, Early Crawford, Stump of 

 the World, Early York, Yellow Rareripe and Susquehanna as 

 best for Essex County, there may be others, but those I have 

 proved to be first class. 



The seedling exhibited (Essex County) was raised from stones 

 sent from South America five years ago. I have two others but 

 not so good neither in size or quality. The Early Crawfords 



J 



