STATE POMOLOGIOAL SOCIETY. 31 



tilized. In manuring fruit trees, many pile the manure about the 

 trunk, as though it was a house to be protected from frost or a post 

 to be liraced. Tlie rule should be to fertilize and mulch the land 

 instead of the tree. If there is food for the roots in the soil, they 

 will find it. If it is piled about or near the trunk it is practically' 

 out of their reach. 



In setting trees on underdrained land, I should prefer to set them 

 immediatel3' over the drains, so far as practicable ; for this would 

 give the tree the best possible position for drainage, and the ex- 

 tending roots would be awaj' from, instead of toward the drain. If 

 the land was being drained for an intended orchard, I would fill the 

 drains partially in the fall, and in the succeeding spring set the trees 

 over the drains, as the filling went on. This would save labor in 

 the setting. 



It is difficult to cultivate an orchard set in the usual way without 

 injury to the trees from the team or implements. I am inclined to 

 believe, both from observation and experience, that it is better to 

 set trees in long rows — quite thickly in the row, with wide spaces 

 between the rows. If set 12 to 20 feet apart, and the rows four 

 rods distant from each other, it will be found more convenient in 

 working among them with plow, mower or rake, or in carting either 

 fertilizers or fruit. On many farms, sufficient orcharding may be 

 had by setting rows of trees by the roadside and along permanent 

 fences. It has been found that trees do particular!}- well beside 

 fences, especially stone walls. This arises in part from the partial 

 mulch which the fence affords, and in part from the deeper and 

 longer retention of snow. They are practically out of the way of 

 the plow, or other farm machinery. It may be suggested that many 

 apples would be injured by falling on the rocks or rails of the fence. 

 But this is realh' small objection if the fruit is poor, and still smaller 

 if good, for then hand picking, the only right way to gather fruit of 

 value, would be the more imperatively required. 



We have seen many good orchards set and grown in gulches, on 

 steep hillsides, and other waste places. We have also seen hun- 

 dreds of other similarly good locations naturally that are as yet un- 

 utilized. Here is a hint to many. Trees on such grounds may be 

 set irregularly, and in the most convertient places, and set thickly. 

 The touching of limbs here affords support and shade, and the l)ene- 

 fits of a partial mulch. The sharp slope or rocky nature of such 

 lands affords a natural drainage, and imparts a ruggedness and 



