r R U I T T K E K S A X 1) r K TJ I T S . 81 



Ealdwinf^, Seek-no-furthcrs, Boll-flowcrs, Little-core, Swar, Graven- 

 stein, ^Esopus, Spitzenburg, Crow's-eggs, Golden Sweets, and other 

 varieties, too numerous to mention. 



I came in possession of the place last Spring, and therefore am not 

 able to state the cost of the Orchard. 



Sunderland, Oct. 17, 1854. 



OLD OKCIIAED ESCLAIMED. 

 STATEMENT OF AVEllY D. HUBBARD. 



The land on which rny oi chard stands, is sandy and light. I have 

 twc'iity-iive trees, which h ive been reclaimed. Their ages vary from 

 forty to more than a hundred years. Twenty ycai's ago, they were 

 almost worthless, — grown up with sprouts and deadliml's — not having 

 been trimmed for many years — bearing only afeio " rider apples " — 

 none of them having been grafted, or budddd. The trees Avere 

 thoroughly trimmed and all the dead limbs cut off. We were careful 

 to shape them well and have handsome tops. The trees were scraj^cd 

 Avith a hoe, till all the ohl and loose bark, and moss, were removed, 

 and a compost of swamp muck, ashes, plaster, and lime, was spread 

 under the trees, and thoroughly mixed with the soil, by ploughing. 

 Most of them stood on ploughed land. 



In a few years a thrifty set of shoots came out, which were grafted 

 Avith Baldwins, Greenings, Spitzenburgs, Seek-no-furthers, llo.Kbury 

 Bussets, None-such, Boston Kusscts, Pippins, &c., tSuC. For several 

 years they have borne apples enough for our family use, and I have 

 sold some for several years, till the last year, Avhcn the worms injured 

 them some, though not so much but that Ave had a number of bushels 

 of Avinter apples. This year they have borne very full and very nice 

 apples. The number of bushels, I am unable to state, as avc have 

 kept no account. We have some A'ery early apples, which Avere ready 

 for market in July, and I am satisfied we have sold apples enough this 

 year to pay all the expense of reclaiming the orchard. In regard to 

 manure, I have found that any tiling that v/ill make corn grow, Avili 

 make apple trees groAv, and produce apples. Work manure well into 

 the soil, as far round as the limhs extend. I think every farmer, 

 especiaihj, and all Avho own land, had better set out a young orchard, 

 unless they already have done so. But if you ha\-c an old orchard, 

 go to Avork and reclaim it, and, in a few years, you may have all the 

 apples you Avill need in your family, till your young trees begin to bear. 



Sunderland, Oct. IG," 1854. 



11 



