62 ON MULBERRY TREES, &,C. 



less than two feet apart. Time must determine what is the most 

 proper distance. I have no doubt of their capacity to form good, 

 substantial and durable fences, yielding in their leaves a yearly 

 income instead of calling for additional expense as is the case with 

 most fences. The trees which I had set out were mostly those 

 of two and three years growth^ some few were of four, and I 

 apprehend in four or five years, when the soil is suitable, they 

 will afford protection against cattle. 



The last particular to which 1 would refer you, is a number of 

 sugar maple trees, in all about 400. IMost of them were procur- 

 ed in New Hampshire the last spring, in April, and are upon an 

 average 8 or 9 feet high, some few are 12 or more, while others 

 are less than the first mentioned sum. 170 or perhaps a few 

 more of them are set by the wall on the borders of my fields, a 

 rod from each other. 100 are set in a lot in orchard form, two 

 rods apart one way and one rod the other. 10 are by the wall 

 In the public highway, designed as ornamental trees. The re- 

 i-qainder being the smaller ones, together with a parcel of seed- 

 lings of two years, are in the nursery. They have done as well 

 as could rationally be expected. The largest proportion of 

 them having lived, though the loss of some for two and others 

 for four feet have died. Some have perished to the roots from 

 which they have however thrown out new shoots which promise 

 well. The number of those entirely lost cannot be accu_ 

 rately ascertained this year. I apprehend however from present 

 appearances it will be small. 



It would beyond question have been better to have cut the 

 tops off nearly to the ground before putting out, an observation 

 which holds true I apprehend in relation to most trees taken from 

 the forest, except when they can receive special attention, be 

 often watered, and in some way defended from the direct influ- 

 ence of the sun. The bark of trees taken out of a thick grove 

 is not thick enough nor hard enough to bear the full force of our 

 summer sun without some protection. It may require a little 

 resolution, to cut off the top of a handsome tree when about to 

 transplant it, and it may require some experience to bring a 

 person to believe that this is the readiest way to get a hand- 



