106 



more common fruit, the year preceding, was beyond the reach of 

 the great mass of people. During the last year, and in fact, we 

 may say in most years, peaches, in this part of the country, are to 

 the many, wholly unattainable as an article of regular common 

 food, hoAvever it may be in New Jersey and its highly blessed 

 neighborhood ; and at no time can eatable pears be purchased in 

 our market, save at most exorbitant prices. And yet, there is no 

 reason why, in heavy, clayey soils, properly drained and manured 

 — for such soils doubtless are most desirable, being native and 

 specific to the pear — or in any well-tilled soil that is retentive of 

 moisture, orchards of this so various and delicious fruit might not 

 be grown as easily and as universally as those of the apple, and 

 made to bear more regularly and abundantly, as is the nature of 

 the pear to do. And we believe that a large orchard of Bartletts, 

 Andrews' and Flemish Beauties, or a plantation several acres in 

 extent of Onondagas, (Swan's Orange,) Lawrences and Colum- 

 bias, would be one of the grandest and most glorious horticultural 

 experiments that could be tried in New England, and would in the 

 end bless the originator Avith the richest golden harvest. And Ave 

 hope speedily to see encouraging prizes offered by our various 

 Agricultural Societies, for such orchards and plantations of pears. 

 We have space hoAvever in this report to dAvell only upon one point 

 in fruit culture, suggested partly by the past season, Avhich has 

 been so peculiarly distinguished by the excessive coldness of its 

 winter, and the severe long protracted and extensive drought of 

 its summer; and this is the subject of "Mulching" our fruit 

 trees. 



There are three grand difficulties that beset the common farmer 

 in his efforts for the groAvth and perfection of his fruit trees and 

 fruit, from Avhich, indeed, the most learned, skilful and accomplished 

 fruit-groAver cannot wholly escape. 



1st. The labor, expense, and difficulty of properly enriching 

 and tilling the soil around his trees. 



2d. The great severitj'" of our Avinters — or, more correctly, the 

 violent changes from AA'armth to cold, and the sudden and alter- 

 nate freezing and thaAving that distinguish the Avet season, or the 

 winters and springs of our climate, and that often prove so de- 

 structive to trees and vines of various kinds. 



And the 3d, and perhaps greatest trouble of all, the frequent 



