12 MR. i^ewiiall's address. 



was fast gathering around their dying vision, the flag of the Repub- 

 lic approaching ; whose hostile appearance would now fill the great-- 

 est nation with apprehension ; but on that occasion waving over a 

 national ship, divested of the thunders of war, and hastening on the 

 wings of the wind, deeply laden with the means of relief to suffer- 

 ing and dying humanity. Such a scene cannot be fully realized, 

 but by the rescued and grateful sufferers ; and will forever stand a 

 glorious memento of the gentle charities of the christian life to des- 

 titute humanity, though the billows of a mighty ocean intervened ! 



Of the various kinds of produce raised by the farmers of the 

 county, fruit may be considered the most profitable. Of the differ- 

 ent sorts which may be easily cultivated, the apple is undoubtedly 

 the most important. Its cultivation is daily becoming of more inter- 

 eit. Not only is the home market for this fruit increasing, but an 

 export demand increases with its cultivation. The great improve- 

 ments in physical science during the present century have given an 

 impetus to business vmknown before. By means of steam power the 

 distant parts of our extensive country have been brought comparative- 

 ly near, and even European markets have been brought within a fort- 

 night's sail. The great facilities thus afforded for the exportation of 

 articles of a perishable nature like the apple, and the high estimation 

 by foreigners of this fruit grown in the United States, Avill cause a de- 

 mand for exportation which will outrun the supply, unless more atten- 

 tion be paid to its cultivation. 



The wild crab, the type of the cultivated apple is indigenous to 

 this continent ; still it is supposed that the origin of our cultivated 

 apple was extra-American. However this may be, it is certain that 

 this fruit flourishes a few degress on either side of the fortieth paral- 

 lel of latitude in this country with a degree of vigor unsurpassed. 



In planting orchards an error is frequently committed by setting 

 the trees too near together. On good soil, suitable for an orchard, 

 and for one which is to be thoroughly cultivated, forty feet is 

 the least distai.ce at which they should be set. Great care should 

 be taken to select such varieties as are known to be productive 

 and of vigorous growth. There are many kinds of excellent qual- 

 ity but so unproductive as not to be fit for extensive cultivation. 

 Care should also be taken not to select varieties growing old 

 and declining. I very well know that different opinions arc en- 

 tertained in relation to the duration of vigorous existence of trees. 



