55 



seldom seo them, — and only to a small degree with caterpil- 

 lars, and these I soon rid myself of by clearing their nests 

 from any trees. My wind-fall apples I usually make cider 

 of. My orchard I think bears well, in comparison with my 

 neighbors. I generally have a very full crop the bearing 

 ^ear, and enough for family use the odd year. As for the 

 particular kind of apple that is most prolitable for me, I think 

 the Kilham Hill is one of the best fall apples. Mine are 

 great bearers, as I always have some every year. They have 

 nothing done for them but pruning, as they are in a gravelly 

 pasture by themselves, on a side hill. I cannot so much as 

 plough among them, and as I always have good fair apples 

 and a good crop, I think gravel and sandy soil best suited to 

 that particular apple. 



STATEMENT OF PETER WAIT, OF DANVERS. 



In answer to the questions put to me by the Committee, I 

 will say that I have about forty apple trees and twenty or 

 more kinds of apples. My soil is mostly gravelly, with a 

 strong clay sub-soil. In regard to enriching, I think one of 

 the best fertilizers is glue dross. I have used much tan -yard 

 waste, such as old tan, lime and hair, but to quicken and 

 warm up my trees, I use night manure. I apply it in the 

 fall as a top dressing. 



My trees are mostly thirty years old, and upwards. In 

 regard to planting, I made use of no science, but simply dug 

 a hole sufficient to receive the roots, without manure or any 

 previous preparation. My treatment ever since has been top- 

 dressing, keeping them clean and well pruned. The borers 

 have been quite a trouble to me. I consider them the most 

 destructive enemy to the apple-trees we have to contend with. 

 The best treatment for them is a free use of soap about the 

 time they hatch. 



