40 



Another tiling necessary to the raising of first class- 

 fruit is thinning. This needs a good degree of moral courage 

 but it pays, both in satisfaction and dollars and cents. 

 Three bushels of first class fiuit is worth more than five 

 bushels of second class and most likely if you take off 

 early in July two-fifths of the fruit, you will at gathering 

 time have niore bushels than you would have had if all 

 were left on the trees. 



In some cases after trees have got into bearing condition, 

 it is not convenient to continue cultivation of the ground 

 with the plow and cultivator. In such cases it is better 

 the orchard be pastured rather than mowed, and sheep are 

 the only animak that should be allowed in the orchard. 

 They keep down all weeds and brush and the grass closely 

 cropped, while the fertilizer left is most valuable. Horses 

 should seldom be allowed in the orchard and horned cattle 

 never. 



Considering the numerous insect pests with whicli we 

 have to deal, we should remember the valuable help of 

 our feathered friends as insect destroyers. Some have 

 divided the birds into grain eating and insect eating 

 classes and others still as fruit destroyers. 



Now, I have been a careful observer of my friends the 

 birds for three score years and ten, and have never seen the 

 fowl or bird that did not devour more or less of the destruc- 

 tive insects. 



The English sparrow, that most abused of all the bird 

 tribe, I believe does a great deal more good than harm. 

 They may spoil some blossoms and fruit, but on the other 

 hand save us much by destroying pestiferous insects. 



We are becoming acquainted with one of the most troub- 

 lesome insects that has come to our knowledge in years^ 

 the brown tailed vnoth, literally stripping our pear trees in 

 June and partially so again in August. 



In June the moth becomes abundant and at night gath- 



