178 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



some such apple as the Hubbardstoii and the Baldwin, which 

 can be picked and sold in the mass. 



A soil which is in a good condition to produce a good crop of 

 corn, will also make apple trees grow. On old ground I would 

 cultivate the trees for a series of years, and be careful about 

 mangling the roots while doing so. When planting a young 

 tree I take it first in my left hand, and with a sharp knife in my 

 right, trim every root that has been cut off with the spade, or. 

 broken, because such roots are rough, and need smoothing, or 

 they will, when buried in the ground, decay somewhat, on 

 account of the bruise. But if you give the root a cut from the 

 under side, and outward, it leaves it in such shape that the 

 fibres will afterwards strike outward, as sure as the tree grows. 

 This is necessary, to sustain the growing tree and keep it upright. 

 If trees are leaning, they are unsightly, and it is more difficult 

 to cultivate among them, and such trees are more liable to be 

 uprooted, when in full foliage, and loaded with fruit. 



I recently had occasion to visit the Worcester South Agricul- 

 tural Society. I spent a night with a Mr. Hammett, I think, an 

 elderly gentleman, who is earnest in fruit culture. His orchard 

 land was full of rocks, and he .had put down his trees wherever 

 he could get one growing. He kept a flock of sheep among his 

 trees, and his orchard did look really fine. It was the best I 

 saw. I have had no experience with sheep among trees, but I • 

 would not recommend putting sheep among young trees. But 

 I have no doubt the sheep were a benefit to his orchard, under 

 the circumstances. 



In my nursery, I let my trees grow to a sufficient height for 

 . the limbs, if I can, the first year. I wish them to grow six feet, 

 and then they will be in a better condition to grow into the 

 shape you desire. If not, I cut them back. I generally cut the 

 tops off" about the height of my nose or chin. I wish to have 

 them so high that when I plough, a yoke of cattle can pass 

 beneath them. 



A Member. — Would you recommend that because it is better 

 for the apple, or more convenient for yourself? 



Mr. Clement. — Because it is more convenient for myself. 

 I would not recommend planting trees nearer together than 

 forty feet. If the branches are lower than five feet from the 

 ground, they will come to the ground when loaded with fruit. 



