ORCHARDS 



107 



In 1854 the only cultivation attempted was once 

 pulling weeds. In 1855 the whole ground was plowed 

 and planted, and has been kept under cultivation ever 

 since. I have manured but moderately, and with the 

 exception of a portion of the ground which has this 

 season carried a fine corn crop, I have cultivated roots. 

 I find, however, from the rapidly increasing shade, 

 more especially from the peach trees, that I shall have 

 to give up cropping altogether very soon, but cannot 

 bring myself to believe that I can afford to relinquish 

 cultivation. 



The average annual growth of the whole orchard 

 since the first season, has been about eighteen inches. 

 The Baldwin is the finest grower, while the Roxbury 

 Russet and Cogswell are nearly as good. Specimens of 

 each of these will measure thirteen inches in circum- 

 ference at a foot from the ground, and two or three of 

 them fourteen and a half inches. The most productive 

 is a Porter, which bore the past season upwards of three 

 pecks of good fruit. 



In 1856 the trunks of the trees were washed with a 

 mixture containing a pailful of water, a pound of potash, 

 and a shovelful of fresh cow-dung. Since that time I 

 have discarded the use of dissolved potash altogether, 

 as it gives to the bark an unhealthy, red and blistered 

 look; especially on the south side. In the spring of the 

 present year I used equal parts of soft soap and fresh 

 cow-dung, sufficiently diluted with water to be easily 

 applicable with a whitewash brush. With this com- 

 pound I feel well satisfied, as it remains on during a 

 considerable time, and leaves the bark of that deep, 

 olive green color, indicative of vigorous health. 



