226 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



tion to tlic best time for cutting timber, and we close. Imme- 

 diately after the breaking out of the recent rebellion in the 

 Southern States, our government, as we all know, found itself 

 under the necessity of contracting for large quantities of oak 

 timber, to be used in the construction of gun-boats, and other 

 defences of the nation's life, much of which was cut in early 

 summer, when the trees were full of sap, or water. After four 

 years of service, those gunboats are examined, and pronounced 

 unworthy of repairs, because the timber is rotten. We attach 

 no blame to any one for that misfortune. Delay in procuring 

 the armaments was not admissible. At the same time, however, 

 had it been possible to have had that timber cut in the months 

 of October and November, we have no doubt it would have been 

 four times as durable. Our views upon that point accord with 

 those who have a large experience in the cutting and using of 

 timber. Mr. Brooks, whom we have before quoted, with others 

 of like experience, informs us that Avorms (larv86 of beetles,) 

 work in no kind of timber cut in October and November, — that 

 no sort of timber can be kept clear of such larvjB, if cut from 

 May to July. That testimony is concurrent, and is worthy of 

 consideration where durability adds value, as in the case of ship, 

 or other building, in like manner exposed to the dissolving 

 influences of the elements without, and the secret gnawing of 

 larvas within. Fuel cut in early winter is vastly superior to 

 that left standing until the sap begins to flow in the spring, 

 when, if then cut, much care is requisite in order to dry out 

 the sap and prevent decay. Asa Clement, Chairman. 



The above Report having been accepted, Mr. Thompson 

 submitted the following on 



FRUIT CULTURE. 



This subject has been written upon by tlie most distinguished 

 fruit culturists in the State. 



But, as a matter of history, we wish to look back some thirty 

 years and take a hasty glance at those times when fruit-trees 

 were laden with abundant crops of the fairest of fruits, selling 

 for mere nominal prices, compared with the prices of to-day. 

 Then the best of apples were 11.50 to |2.50 per barrel,, while 

 to-day the same would sell for from $5 to $8 ; and apples in a 



