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REPORT ON FRUIT TREES. 



BY DAVID BICE, M. D. 



The best methods of propagation, and the best varieties of fruit trees, 

 iave been considered by former committees of the Hampshire Society. 

 Something to amuse the fancy, may be often as profitable, as the weightier 

 matter, that instructs the mind. • The light and shade of a picture adds 

 beauty and value to it. The music of the flowing stream fills the atmos- 

 phere with gladness. 



Pleasure, health, luxury and profit may be derived from the culture of 

 fruit trees. 



It is pleasant, as well as instructive, to watch the growth of a tree, from 

 the opening of the rich mould in spring time, by the egress of the tender * 

 plant, to the full maturity of the beautifully proportioned tree of many 

 years. 



A celebrated French writer was once dissuaded from a design he had con- 

 ceived of compiling a history of nature from the works of others, by the 

 study of a strawberry plant that grew in his window. On minutely observ- 

 ing its progressive growth, he found so much to admire and to learn, that 

 he felt convinced " that the study of a single plant, with its habits, would 

 suffice to employ the minds of many learned men." He accordingly aban- 

 doned his original plan, and the contemplated title of his book, and gave it 

 the simple name, " Studies from Nature," and a very valuable book it proved 

 to be. 



The exercise of planting, training, pruning and workin^fcmong fruit trees, 

 is a real pleasure, which is heightened by the hope of future fruit. What 

 vocation is more pleasant than that of cultivating, on one's own premises, 

 orchards of apple, peach, cherry, and quince trees, or vines, climbing over 

 fanciful arbors, and beds of luxuriant strawberry ? 



The beauty of fruit orchards is a source of exquisite delight, especially in 

 the flowering season. What is more enchanting to the lover of the beauti- 

 ful, than an orchard of apple or peach trees, clad with their chastely deli- 

 cate blossoms, in early spring 1 



An apple blossom is indeed as charming a flower as the most beautiful 

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