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Mixon, set out three years last spring the second year from the 

 bud, taking care to keep them well mulched in summer when 

 dry, as they are on very light sandy soil about 8 feet apart. I 

 have taken great care to cover the ground under them after freez- 

 ing, and not removing until the buds were safe from frost in the 

 spring. When set I neglected to take off the tag and conse- 

 quently the main stalks were cut with the wire, causing them to 

 branch very low, some of the peaches were almost on the ground, 

 bearing this year for the first time about six bushels. I enrich- 

 ed the soil the same as for grapes. The Early Hale is a very 

 nice peach for eating and very early, the Early York and Old 

 Mixon are later and very nice. My Early York were somewhat 

 shaded, causing the flesh to look very delicate and white. For 

 preserving, I have found the Crawfords and York very desirable. 

 The peach trees have been troubled with borers and 1 have found 

 lime-water a good remedy, 



STATEMENT OF D. H. STICKNEY, GROVELAND. 



I wish I could answer your questions in relation to the culti- 

 vation of the grape in a manner at all satisfactory to myself, for- 

 I have had abundant crops some years and nearly failures upon 

 other years with the same treatment — indeed perhaps I ought 

 not to use the word treatment for I have never followed any par- 

 ticular mode or method. 



I have perhaps one hundred and fifty vines, mostly from lay- 

 ers. They are upon a variety of soil and were I to give an opin- 

 ion I'should say that my best success had been upon the poor- 

 est soil, I am of the opinion that land can be made so rich that 

 you get a monstrous growth of wood at the expense of the fruit, 

 I have also noticed that the best fruit has always been found up- 

 on vines from two to four years old. I can account for this in 

 no other way other than the top has been allowed to make all the 



