234 HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 



deep and thorough ploughing, and then digging very large 

 holes to be partially filled with rich loam, before setting the 

 trees, after which I used a compost consisting of muck, stable 

 manure, ashes, coal cinders, &.C., to be placed around the tree 

 while setting and afterwards, to be worked in with a fork, 

 keeping the roots, while setting, in their natural position, and 

 occasionally shaking the tree that the fine compost might find 

 its way down through and among the roots. Since then the 

 land has been cultivated, raising mostly potatoes, which I 

 consider the best crop that can be raised among trees, and in 

 truth I really think them an advantage, as the ground is gen- 

 erally kept loose and free from weeds. The trees have been 

 inspected two or three times in the course of a season to keep 

 them from the grub or borer, which, if allowed to enter an 

 orchard, proves almost a sure death to the trees. The orchard 

 consists of one hundred and fifty trees, which have been regu- 

 larly pruned, thereby causing them to form better heads or 

 tops than if left alone, and making much better looking trees. 

 The following are the varieties which, according to my views, 

 are as good a selection as I could well have : — Early York, 

 George IV, Cole's Early Red, Coolidge's Favorite, Morris' 

 White, President, Crawford's Early, Crawford's Late, Old 

 Mixon, (free stone,) Royal George, Red Rareripe, Tillottson's 

 Early, and Early Newington. 



Josiah Hookefs Statement. 



My peach orchard consists of one hundred and twenty-eight 

 trees — forty-five of which were set out last spring. The 

 ethers were planted in 1848 and the two years following. The 

 position of most of them is on a gentle slope, having a west- 

 erly aspect. They are at a distance of about fifteen feet from 

 each other. The trees have been, from time to time, well 

 washed, and ashes and manure have been put around the roots; 

 and care has been taken to keep the soil loose around them, 

 with the spade. 



