ON FRUIT TREES. 87 



qualities in the soil, is to be regarded. From onr earliest years, 

 we have heard the remark, that a young orchard will not 

 flourish well, where an old orchard has been. Such sayings 

 do not become common, without some foundation, — although 

 those who use them may not be able to give a reason for the 

 faith that is in them. Perhaps, as a general thing, it may be 

 the soil and not the fruit, that declines. Still we think there 

 are cases, in which decline is peculiar to, or inherent in, the 

 particular variety. This is probably true of the Nourse Sweet- 

 ing, so distinctly recollected by the chairman in his youth. 

 Calling to mind the recollection of many varieties of ap- 

 ples that were cultivated and much esteemed in our youth, 

 which are not now to be found, at first thought, seems to cor- 

 roborate the theory. Nevertheless, we have no such certain 

 data respecting them, as will warant definite conclusions. Mr. 

 Newhall showed the committee trees on his own farm, that 

 were grafted sixty years since under his own observation, sci- 

 ons from which he has attempted to propagate, without suc- 

 cess, from which experiments he has confidence in his views, 

 which are distinctly expressed in his letter hereunto annexed. 

 For the Committee. J. W. PROCTOR. 



Danvers, Nov. 20, 1850. 



ASA T. NEWHALL'S LETTER. 

 To J. W. Proctor. 



Dear Sir, — Upon the subject of decay by old age, and final 

 extinction of varieties of the apple, and the necessity of raising 

 new varieties from the seed, I can add but little to what I have 

 already said. But, in compliance with your request, and de- 

 sirous as I am that the subject should be fully investigated, that 

 we may arrive at such conclusion as may in some measure assist 

 orchardists to pursue a course that Avill ensure longevity to their 

 orchards, I will state something of the experience and observa- 

 tion I have had the past year. 

 I have carefully noticed the different varieties of soil and 



