^0 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



very low estimate of twenty dollars as the value of the average of 

 forty bushels annually produced, we may take from that, two 

 dollars annually to create a sinking fund, which will produce the 

 Bum of $200 at the end of that time, when the tree will become 

 too aged to yield its average product. Two dollars is more than 

 is necessary for that purpose, but allowing this, upon the basis of 

 $20 as the annual product, we still have $18 left. This gives a 

 return of nine per cent, per annum on $200, and the sinking fund 

 created, as before stated, will yield that sum to take the place of 

 the tree when its full peformance ceases. But we have under- 

 estimated the value of the product, and the tree is actually worth 

 $300. But assume it to be only $200, Its branches fill a circle 

 three rods in diameter ; giving it the space of the whole square, 

 which embraces this circle, it will take up nine square rods. An 

 acre would contain nearly eighteen such trees — call it seventeen ; 

 multiply by $200, and we have, as the value of an acre of such an 

 orchard, $3,400, the value of an average farm in this State. If 

 we give the trees a little space between the tops, on all sides and 

 compute but fifteen such trees to the acre, we still have the value 

 of $3,000. 



This estimate of value will be called extravagant, as proceeding 

 upon the basis of the value of a single tree, and the mind is 

 inclined to doubt the possibility of rearing fifteen such trees in a 

 body. That may well be doubted. It is only argued that a 

 larger number, of an equivalent productive capacity, may be so 

 reared, not only upon one, but upon any and all of many acres. 

 Let us try the question then by the test of Mr. Bailey's orchard 

 at South Haven, before named, as reported by Professor Beal. 



The soil and culture of that orchard are such as this essay advo- 

 cates. The trees are fifteen years old, and therefore not arrived 

 at, but approaching, that period next preceding that of full bear- 

 ing. "The trees would run," says the Professor, "from about 

 nine to fourteen barrels to the tree, all nicely colored." He does 

 not tell us the distance, at which the trees are planted, but the 

 proprietor has cultivated and cropped his ground the most of the 

 time, and it is to be inferred, therefore, that the shade does not 

 cover all the ground, also that trees which yield such a product 

 at fifteen years of age, have had plenty of room to expand. 

 Assuming then, that they are planted at the most common dis- 

 tance of two rods, there are forty trees to the acres. Assuming, 

 also, that the average product is nearly the average of the 



