STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 91 



is generally productive of more injury than benefit, mutilating the 

 roots, etc. If in some very extreme case the soil should become 

 turf-bound, better use a heavy sharp-toothed drag. 



If through very high cultivation the growth of the tree is too 

 rapid, causing the bark to burst, destroying the tree, this may be 

 prevented as follows : With a sharp knife cut a slip through the 

 outer bark of the entire length of the body of the tree, which will 

 materially accelerate its growth for a short time, and remove from 

 it all danger in this respect. If any of the young trees should 

 chance to die or decay, replace with new ones of equal size and of 

 the same varieties. Remove from the ground all the loose stones 

 that may from time to time appear. Care should be taken that 

 no water be allowed to stand or settle about the trees as winter 

 approaches. 



In the general management of the fruit orchard, as regards the 

 trees, the ground and surroundings, he who would succeed should 

 give heed to the Scripture injunction, ' Let all things be done 

 decently and in order.' 



Harvesting, 



Experience alone must serve as a guide to the orchardist as to 

 the proper time for harvesting fruit. We can only give this gen- 

 eral direction : Gather the fruit when fully grown, or at the time 

 when it has received the greatest nourishment from the tree. 

 Ladders of different length, also stairs, are employed for this pur- 

 pose. If the directions for pruning and the formation of the trees 

 have been followed, the labor of gathering will be materially facil- 

 itated. The windfalls should first be gathered and converted into 

 cider, or at least kept entirely separate from the remaining fruit. 

 Pick by hand, select and pack with great care, so as to obviate 

 bruising the fruit. In assorting make two qualities for market 

 and a third for cider or for swine. 



Pack in new or clean barrels. Pack one kind only in the same 

 barrel or box ; also let the apples be of as uniform size and appear- 

 ance as may be. The upper layer of apples should protrude some- 

 what above the chine, and be brought down and headed under 

 pressure. Employ for this purpose a clamp, either patent or home- 

 made. Some operate with a screw, others with a lever. The latter 

 is very simple, and may be easily constructed. For shipping, the 

 pressure system is particularly desirable, as it retains each apple 

 in its place, and hence prevents its being rattled about and bruised. 

 The fruit being barreled, should remain in open sheds till the ap- 

 proach of cold weather. Keep as cool as possible without freez- 

 ing, before removing to the cellar. 



Profits of the Apple Orchard. 



Prominent among all the industries, that of fruit growing, in a 

 pecuniary point of view, stands unrivalled, a single acre in many 

 instances returning a net profit of from $100 to $400 ; and not 

 only of profit but of beauty and attraction. There is this mani- 

 fest advantage of the fruit orchard over all other crops, for while 



