ORCHARDS. 



ORCHARDS. 



27 



The only entry for premiums offered for the best 

 peach orchard, was made by xiddison Hubbard, of Fitch- 

 burg, and we award to him the second premium of five 

 dollars. As will be seen by his statement, the orchard 

 is now ten years old, and has been pruned every year 

 after the method given by Downing. The orchard, 

 standing upon a light soil, the annual growth is only 

 moderate. These two conditions have doubtless con- 

 tributed to the prolongation of the life of the trees 

 beyond the ordinary time during which the peach, in 

 this locality, is maintained in bearing condition. The 

 trees have still a comparatively healthy look, and with 

 a considerable degree of care may be made to do some 

 service yet. 



Our experience teaches us that a more severe pruning 

 is requisite to the continuance of a peach tree through 

 a long life in a healthy condition; and our practise is, 

 every two, three or four years, according to the luxuri- 

 ance of the tree, in addition to the usual heading in of 

 the young shoots, to cut back the larger limbs, so as to 

 force a growth of young wood from near the center of 

 the tree, and thus prevent that long extention of limbs 

 destitute of young wood, which is so common. By this 

 means a peach tree may be kept in a healthy and 

 fruitful state for many years. There are instances on 

 record, of trees that have lived for a century, and borne 

 regular crops. This however can only be attained by 

 constant care and attention to the wants of the tree. 

 Excessive growth must be repressed, and the tree be 

 jnade to branch low, from one to two feet from the 



