MY VINEYAKD. 43 



often as two rows of trees were set, I went through with 

 a load of i^artially decayed straw from the old hovel, and 

 gave them a thorough mulching. 



After planting, the trees were cut back somewhat se- 

 verely. The stems were trimmed up so as to leave the 

 lower limbs as nearly as possible four feet from the ground. 

 Ill setting the trees, the heaviest roots were turned to- 

 wards the west, so as to guard against w^esterly winds. 



I may here briefly relate the result of the labor, as I 

 shall not recur to it again. Not one of the trees died. 

 As warm weather advanced they shot into a vigorous 

 growth. They have been pruned but sparingly, and 

 mostly with a view^ of keeping the heads as evenly bal- 

 anced as possible. The trees commenced bearing in the 

 fifth year, and in the seventh year fruit enough was sold 

 to pay all the expenses of planting and for the land on 

 which the orchard stood. It is now a fine looking orchard. 

 The heads are well shaped, and low down, thus protecting 

 them in a good degree from violent winds, and greatly 

 facilitating the harvesting of the fruit. 



I was obliged to crop the orchard the first year to corn, 

 a practice which is altogether objectionable ; but a liberal 

 application of manure rendered it less injurious than it 

 would otherw^ise have been. The orchard is now in grass, 

 furnishing an annual crop of excellent hay ; but full re- 

 turns are made in stable manure, ashes and plaster. 



To assist me in mv summer's labor, I had secured the 



