118 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



dollars a ton for meadow hay to mulch his trees than do without 

 it. 



I have practised mulching my trees for the past two years ; I 

 begin in March to throw out my meadow hay into the barn- 

 yard ; my young cattle feed as much or as little as they please ; 

 about the first of May the mulching is forked in heaps or ridges, 

 and about the first of June it is applied to young trees. It 

 works so well that I shall continue the operation. For trees of 

 older growth or those in bearing, the hay may be applied at any 

 time at the rate of a load to the acre. The operation secures a 

 four-fold object : it prevents grass and weeds from growing, it 

 keeps the ground moist in the dry part of the season, and in the 

 end it makes manure ; the fruit is not in the least injured by 

 falling from the trees. 



Ephradi Graham, Chairman. 



BERKSHIRE. 



From the Report of the Committee. 

 In our report last year we took occasion to give our views of 

 what constitutes a well managed farm, and we propose this year 

 to speak of fruit, and especially of the apple as the leading fruit 

 of New England. While we rejoice to see the increased atten- 

 tion given to grapes, and to bear testimony to the variety and 

 excellence of the clusters of this most healthful fruit, whicli we 

 have seen growing in Berkshire this summer, as also to the 

 large and luscious pears, and more luscious peaches, still the 

 apple will ever remain the staple fruit of this section. It can be 

 raised in great abundance and in great perfection, and lasts from 

 the beginning to the end of the year. It is good for the dessert 

 and good for cooking. The acid of the apple is congenial to 

 most stomachs, and is a great auxiliary in digestion, counter- 

 acting the bilious tendency which is so prevalent, especially in 

 the latter part of summer and in the autumn, when the api)le is 

 in its most perfect condition. Could all men be supplied with 

 an apple or two each day in the year, as they can be with a little 

 jiainstaking, we are confident that there would bo less dy?i)epsia 

 in the community. Children are extravagently fond of apples, 

 and the natural craving which they all liave for the fruit proves 

 that it is congenial to their natures, and that they should be in- 

 dulged in the use of it. In cooking, certainly, there is no fruit 



