ESSAYS 



ON AGRICULTURAL SUBJECTS 



Soon after the organization of the Board of Agriculture, 

 several subjects which were deemed most worthy of particular 

 attention, were referred to different individuals, with the re- 

 quest that each would furnish an Essay thereon for the use of 

 the Board. In compliance with this request the following 

 were presented, adopted, and are herewith published. 



ORCHARDS. 



BY JOHN C. GKAY. 



In treating of the subject which it has pleased this Board to 

 assign to me, I have little hope of saying anything novel or 

 striking, and may perhaps make some statements, or advance 

 some opinions of disputed correctness. The theme is certainly 

 a most extensive and interesting one, but it is anything but 

 new or untouched. It might be thought, that I should best 

 discharge my duty by simply referring at once to some stand- 

 ard authority ; but this Board have a right to command my 

 best services, and anything which I may offer will be cheerfully 

 submitted to their comments and correction. The raising of 

 fruit trees is a branch of agriculture which engaged the atten- 

 tion of our Puritan fathers at a very early day, and their pro- 

 gress therein, was, all things considered, truly surprising. The i 

 credit of taking the lead in this most pure and refining, as well ' 

 as delightful and profitable, department of industry, is due, if | 

 to any one, to John Endicott, whose grave was left unmarked 



