96 TRANSACTIONS. 



lime or with saleratus, appeared to be efficacious in destroying the 

 worm in the root of peach trees and the grubs and worms in garden 

 beds. Would not these mixtures, thrown in powder upon trees, be 

 a preservative against insects like the curculio, and the caterpillar, 

 and canker-worm ? The experiment is worth trying. If this should 

 not succeed, are there not certain mineral poisons which might be 

 proved by experiment to be efficacious in protecting vegetable life 

 from insects ? As the enemies to fruit increase, let your vigilance 

 increase. 



The motives for the cultivation of fruit may be found in its relation 

 to beauty, health, comfort and profit. Fruit trees in leaf, in flower, 

 and in fruit, are eminently beautiful. Some of them are shapely and 

 graceful in their forms. Certain pear trees and cherry trees are 

 almost as regular and symmetrical as the evergreens. Besides being 

 ornamental, they, like other trees, protect the house from the intense 

 heat of summer and the intense cold of winter, by their shade or by 

 breaking the force of the winds. Fruit is wholesome. Bonaparte, 

 on a certain occasion, cured his army of the dysentery by sending 

 them into the vineyards to eat ripe grapes. Moreover, the cultiva- 

 tion of fruit can be made profitable, even when conducted on a great 

 scale. Witness the peach orchards of New Jersey and the ajDple 

 orchards of New York. Fruit trees make home attractive, and long- 

 remembered. It makes it like Eden, of which it is said that out of 

 the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to 

 the sight and good for food. Imitate your creator, on your own 

 grounds, and some of the happiness of Eden shall be yours. 



SECLAIMING OLD ORCHARDS. 



STATEMENT OF DAVID RICE. 



An individual may often own, or come into possession of a farm, 

 on which stands an old orchard, that has ceased, from excessive age, 

 neglect, and improper management, to jiroduce fruit, excejjt in sparing 

 quantities, and of the poorest quality, — unfit for eating, and hardly 

 worth gathering. There may be no young orchard on the place, or 

 it may not be old enough to produce fruit. The owner desires to be 

 supplied with fruit, while his young orchard is maturing, and must 

 either purchase fruit, or recruit the old orchard. The principle of 

 economy is consulted, and he finds that it will be economical to re- 

 claim the old orchard. And if the trees are not too aged, if they 



