58 MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 



years from the stock. The ground, when the trees were set, 

 was in a middhng state of cultivation. The holes were dug two 

 spades deep ; the same earth thrown out, after being mixed to- 

 gether, was put back into the hole without any manure. In the 

 fall, I applied to each tree about fifteen shovels full of manure 

 well mixed with the earth. I consider late in the fall decidedly 

 the best time for applying manure. 



Due regard, I think, should be paid to the form of the tree in 

 setting. Invariably the heaviest side, or the part of the top 

 which will best protect the body of the tree from the sun, should 

 be south. Every careful observer will notice that, in conse- 

 quence of our frequent south-west winds, very many of our 

 fruit trees lean towards the north-east, which leaves the body 

 exposed to the sun ; the bark becomes scarred, in a few years the 

 tree begins to dwindle, and very soon is good for nothing. 



In selecting trees for transplanting, due attention should be 

 paid to the form of the roots as well as to the top. Trees 

 that have been transplanted previous to grafting, or budding, 

 are much to be preferred, the roots being greatly improved. 

 I have set fruit trees in the fall and spring, and, from observation, 

 find those set in the spring have done much the best. In select- 

 ing trees for the orchard, I have paid but little regard to the 

 price, provided I could get good, thrifty, well-formed trees. 



Littleton, Sept. llth, 1846. 



Jonas Viles's Statement. 



My orchard consists of upwards of two hundred apple and 

 three hundred peach trees ; two hundred of the peach trees 

 having been set out since 1844. The land is naturally stony, of 

 a strong loamy soil, the bottom rather a clay gravel. My plan, in 

 setting out an orchard, is to have apple and peach trees on the 

 same ground, the apple trees two rods apart, and the peach be- 

 tween them. I dig a good-sized hole, use wood ashes for manure, 

 covering the roots with the soil, then putting on from one to 

 three quarts of ashes, according to the size of the tree. I think 



