NORFOLK SOCIETY. 313 



They give promise, however, of good crops ; which opinion 

 was confirmed by the examination of another orchard, planted 

 a few years previous, that was producing large quantities of 

 fair and fine specimens. 



It will be noticed, that only a part of Mr. Porter's orchard, 

 thirty-nine trees, have been planted "since the year 1848," 

 and that Mr. Reed's not being in a " bearing condition," they 

 are excluded by the terms of the premium list from competi- 

 tion. The committee noticed with pleasure, that they had 

 adopted the system of mulching their trees with hay or straw, 

 a practice known to experienced cultivators as invaluable in 

 the production of fine fruits. Especially is this desirable on 

 soils of a light character, such as those upon which the peach 

 is usually planted. Under this system the earth is kept moist 

 and cool, during the drought and heat of summer — the fruit 

 much increased in size — the roots protected from the burning 

 rays of the sun, the extreme frosts of winter, and the sudden 

 alternations of the temperature, so fatal in the spring to the 

 peach and other fruits. 



With the orchard of Mr. Hubbard, the committee were much 

 gratified. His trees are all of a pyramidal form, with clean, 

 straight, sound stems, and round, compact heads of well-ripened 

 wood, and the culture evinces the skill and good judgment of 

 the proprietor. His orchard is planted alternately with apples 

 and peaches; first with apples, afterwards, intermediately, with 

 peaches, and the ground underneath is cultivated with cabbages 

 and other vegetables. Whether this system is judicious, and 

 to what extent it may be carried, without injury to the fruit 

 crops, your committee will not undertake to say. . In the early 

 stages of the trees, this under-cropping might not be so dele- 

 terious, as in a more advanced state ; but when in a bearing 

 condition, the energies of the soil would require a constant and 

 ample supply of the appropriate fertilizing ingredient. 



The committee award 

 To Gardiner G. Hubbard, of West Needham, the first 



premium on peach orchards, - - $10 00 



40 



