ONFRUITTREES. 91 



I practise shield or T budding, and put the bud on the south- 

 west side of the tree, the rows running southeast, they are then 

 not exposed to the sleet and snow of winter. I formerly lost 

 many buds by inserting them on the "back" side of the tree; 

 another advantage, in putting the bud on the south, is the 

 greater portion and quicker flow of sap on that side, as every 

 one knows that a bud takes best where there is the most sun 

 and sap. I learned some twenty years ago, to take out the 

 wood from the bud, but soon gave up the practise ; I should as 

 soon think, now, of taking out the pith of a scion. 



On a part of the ground on which these trees stand the ma- 

 nure was ploughed in, and on a part spread on the surface, in 

 equal quantities ; the latter is decidedly the best practice in 

 nurseries, in fact for any and all crops, I have succeeded best 

 where I followed nature and apply the manure to the surface, 

 working it in with a harrow or cultivator sufficiently to pre- 

 vent evaporation. I use any manure, in a fine state, which I 

 happen to have when wanted, on the surface, working it in 

 with a cultivator, the rows being sufficiently wide to allow a 

 horse to pass without injury to the trees. I prefer, however, a 

 compost, of stable and hog manure one part, and two of muck 

 and turf from the brook. 



I have never manured the same piece of ground oft ener than 

 once in three or four years, much more depends upon good cul- 

 ture than high manuring to obtain good healthy trees, besides 

 being much more valuable for planting in orchards, not being 

 of such '• fungus" materials. 



To the query of the Committee, whether I could suggest 

 some remedy to prevent young trees, as is common, from bend- 

 ing with the wind, I would say that I know of no better one, 

 than to raise strong stocks, that will throw up a vigorous shoot, 

 able to resist the action of the wind, and let all the leaves re- 

 main on the trunk. The practice of many people of stripping 

 them off" is very injurious. 



I do n't prune much as the trees advance in age and size, 

 merely cutting off" superfluous branches, and keep a good bal- 

 ance of the top. 



A word in regard to transplanting trees to the nursery or or- 

 chard. 



