38 



better adapted to his grounds and exposure than those raised 

 in a more southern locality. Fifty of them, divided equally 

 between Baldwins, Greenings and Russets, the portion espe- 

 cially entered for premium, were set out sixteen years ago, 

 twenty feet apart. Great care was taken in planting. The 

 ground was deeply ploughed, and has been kept under cultiva- 

 tion every year, cropped with potatoes and corn, until the trees 

 became too large to admit of crops. Barn-yard manure has 

 been used with the crops at the rate of 3^ cords per acre. Of 

 late he has used a wheelbarrow of manure to a tree in the fall, 

 and the same in the spring, well spaded in. Mr. Shaw has 

 washed his trees with soft soap about the first of July and at 

 the same time has examined them for borers; these, when 

 found, he cuts out and destroys with the knife and the wire, 

 unless too deep to be reached, in which case he drives a nail 

 into the opening and fills-it closely with hard soap ; this, in his 

 judgment, excludes the air and kills the grub. Mr. Shaw feels 

 confident that he finds two varieties of borers, one that girdles 

 and one that penetrates. 



The way canker worms are dealt with is as follows : a pan is 

 adjusted upon a long pole, in which brimstone and live coals 

 are placed ; the worms coming within reach of this fumigation 

 are destroyed. 



The Committee found the orchard of Mr. Shaw in a vigorous 

 and thrifty condition ; the fruit was abundant, large and fair ; 

 some of the trees, more particularly the Baldwins, were bend- 

 ing under the load of fruit. The pruning was not severe, only 

 the interlacing branches being cut off. The trees occupied the 

 whole ground, so as to render it difficult, in some cases, to pass 

 around them. When ten years old, these fifty trees yielded 

 seventy-five barrels of fruit, and since that time they have never 

 returned the owner a sum less than $150 annually, with the 

 exception of last year. The Committee were unanimous in 

 adjudging this a well-managed orchard, reflecting much credit 

 upon the skill and industry of the enterprising owner. 



Before leaving the premises of Mr. Shaw, all the gentlemen 

 present were invited to partake of a collation prepared for their 

 entertainment, where the fruits of skill and industry, both 

 without and within doors, were abundantly tested, and proved 

 to the taste, what they appeared to the eye, excellent and 

 refreshing. 



The Committee, on invitation, next visited the orchard of 

 Henry Comey, Esq. This contains about thirty-five trees on 

 one-third of an acre, standing twenty-two feet apart. Besides 

 the common varieties, there are trees of the Gillyflower and 

 Blue Pearmain, with beautiful and perfect fruit. This orchard 

 is surrounded by a close fence, and is used as a hen yard ; by 

 the activity of the hens the grass is kept down, and the ground 



