ORCHARDS. 171 



productive is a Porter, which bore the past season upwards of 

 three pecks of good fruit. 



In 1856 the trunks of the trees were washed with a mixture 

 containing a pailful of water, a pound of potash, and a shovel- 

 ful of fresh cow-dung. Since that time I have discarded the use 

 of dissolved potash altogether, as it gives to the bark an unhealthy 

 red and blistered look ; especially on the south side. In the 

 spring of the present year I used equal parts of soft soap and 

 fresh cow-dung, sufficiently diluted with water to be easily 

 applicable with a whitewash brush. Witli this compound I feel 

 well satisfied, as it remains on during a considerable time, and 

 leaves the bark of that deep, olive green color, indicative of 

 vigorous health. 



The borer has thus far done but little injury. My course is 

 to examine each tree at least twice in a year with jackknife and 

 wire. As soon as the first of September, all of the eggs depos- 

 ited by the insect through the summer have hatched, and the 

 larvae may be readily found by their borings. From the super- 

 ficial character of their operations at this time they are very 

 easily destroyed, and a careful examination in spring will dis- 

 close any that may have been previously overlooked. With 

 regard to the best lime for pruning, we may find authority for 

 performing the operation at almost every season of the year ; 

 but as to the result of my own reading and observation, my 

 plan is this : Keeping in view these two great principles, that 

 winter pruning promotes growth, and summer pruning or 

 pinching, increases fruitfulness, I prune at any time when it is 

 most convenient, being careful, in the words of an old author- 

 ity, to prune only "when my tools are sharp," If I at any 

 time expose any considerable surface of wood, I am careful to 

 cover it with the shellac solution, which prevents decay, and 

 the wound is soon covered with bark. 



Statement of John Minott. 

 The apple orchard which I offer fur premium consists of one 

 hundred and forty trees, of some twenty-seven different varie- 

 ties, wliich were transplanted in the spring of 1852-3. The 

 holes were dug about five feet in diameter and about two feet 

 deep, and filled with top loam. The land was pasture, ploughed 



