442 NORFOLK SOCIETY. 



is highly favorable, it is questionable whether this system ulti- 

 mately would be economical. Your committee are confident 

 that it would not be judicious when the trees are producing 

 fruit. 



The committee were happy to notice that Mr. Reed con- 

 tinues to mulch the ground arovind his bearing trees, the 

 advantages of which, in our hot and dry summers, can hardly 

 be over-estimated. 



I"or the committee, 



Marshall P. Wilder. 

 December 15, 1852. 



Jason ReecVs Statement. 



The number of trees in the peach orchard offered by me for 

 premium, is 111. They were set out the first week in May, 

 1850, in ground where the sward had been broken up the pre- 

 vious fall, being at that time one year old from the bud. No 

 manure was applied at the time of setting, but fine loam from 

 the surface of a cultivated field was used to cover the roots. 

 In 1850 and 1851, about two-thirds of the orchard was planted 

 with corn, and the other third with potatoes, all manured in 

 the hill, at the rate of three cords to the acre, and about three 

 or four quarts of leached ashes applied to each tree. This 

 year no ashes have been applied, but double the quantity of 

 manure has been put in the hill, and the whole planted with 

 potatoes. The trees are set at the distance of 11 feet by 12 

 apart, and the crops have been planted in rows both ways, a 

 tree taking the place of every third hill each way, in the rows 

 in which they stand. 



The above has generally been my mode of cultivation and 

 management in all my peach orchards, containing now about 

 1,200 trees, and set out in different years from 1847 to 1852, 

 inclusive. 



After the trees have come to bearing, my practice Has been 

 to mulch ihem, covering over the whole ground. This answers 

 many useful purposes. It preserves a more uniform tempera- 

 ture to the roots of the trees ; it retains the moisture ; it keeps 

 the ground in a loose and mellow state ; it prevents the growth 

 of weeds and grass; it saves the fruit that drops from bruises 



