APPLE CULTIVATION. 55 



it, or to be used for vinegar. Until within four or five years, 

 this fruit was a certain and regular crop, larger the even years, 

 because the Baldwin, a variety extensively cultivated, bears 

 every second year, and that the even year. 



Two or more causes have operated to prevent a crop of 

 apples ; the first being the canker-worm, which has been very 

 destructive in some localities, and the excessive drouths of 1865 

 and 1866, if we remember correctly. We declared it our belief, 

 at the annual meeting of the State Board of Agriculture held at 

 Concord, that there would be a good crop of apples this year ; 

 and we see no reason why this may not hold good in years to 

 come, with slightly varying results. 



Certain things are requisite, even in the cultivation of apples, 

 in order to secure the best results. The soil and location selected 

 for the apple orchard must be such as will be adapted to the 

 growth of the tree and the production of fruit. We regard 

 what is called strong land, even though a little stony, as the 

 best for an apple orchard. A good deep, yellow loam for a sub- 

 soil is excellent. If the land is inclined to be wet, it should be 

 well drained. Avoid thin plain land; but on no account set 

 apple-trees on wet meadow land. If the location be on the 

 south-eastern, southern, or south-western slope of the hill, so 

 much the better, that the trees may enjoy some protection from 

 the cold, sweeping winds of the winter, which are very trying 

 to trees, especially since the forests have been so extensively cut 

 off. We regard this matter of shelter as one of great impor- 

 tance, not only as applied to this fruit, but more especially as 

 applied to pear and other less hardy fruit trees. Having secured 

 a proper location and soil, it is better to cultivate the ground 

 at least one year, and manure it well, before setting the trees. 

 Select, as the best age and size, trees two or three years old ; 

 head them in slightly, by cutting off a portion of the former 

 year's growth. The ends of all the large roots should be 

 smoothly cut oiBf before the trees are set out. The trees may 

 be set to good advantage in the fall, if the ground is not too wet 

 and springy, though many prefer spring. We have had equally 

 good success in the former season. When once planted they 

 should not be neglected, as thousands of trees are, and left to 

 die. Many persons buy a few apple-trees, set them out in the 

 grass, and then go away trying to think they own an orchard. 



