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than is the case when the land is laid down to grass. The 

 difference is much greater when the orchard stands on the 

 side of a hill, for then the refreshing showers of summer, 

 instead of penetrating the ground to invigorate the languish- 

 ing roots, are turned off by the hard sod, and wash into the 

 valley below. 



Third, we desire to refer to a matter which is far too much 

 neglected by the farmer, and that is a constant care and at- 

 tention to the proper training of the trees during their years 

 of infancy and childhood. Early fix in your mind the picture 

 of a perfect tree, in form and proportion, and begin imme- 

 diately to train every tree in your orchard to the standard of 

 your beau ideal. It will be impossible for you to make every 

 one assume the same type and degree of beauty, for trees, 

 like children, have their peculiar hereditary predispositions, 

 which may not be entirely overcome. But by a suitable 

 watchfulness, every tree can be securely guarded against 

 any palpably vicious development of limbs, which by their 

 straggling character, and by repeatedly crossing each other, 

 form an almost impregnable barrier to sunlight and air, thus 

 materially lessening their future usefulness as fruit bearers if 

 left in this state, and vitally affecting the health of the tree, 

 if, as is often the case, the limbs are cut away after they have 

 attained a large size. 



In your leisure moments go forth into your young orchard 

 carefully observing every tree, and whenever you find a 

 shoot coming forth in an improper place or assuming an im- 

 proper direction, take your knife and cut it away. Take 

 care of the little faults of your trees while they are young, 

 and they will have no great ones for you to correct, when 

 they attain maturity. 



We also wish to make a suggestion in relation to the feasi- 

 bility of increasing our present number of varieties of apples. 

 It is a practical question whether it is desirable to make the 

 attempt. It seems to us that under the present system very 

 many of our existing varieties will run out, while no provi- 

 sion is made for any addition whatever. Now we think it 



