STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 51 



tree in particular, because we gave it a double close of dress- 

 ing, that is, put around it a whole cartload of manure. We 

 did this on account of our partiality for the fruit, although 

 only a seedling variety. The effect was almost marvellous. 

 The apples grew to twice if not to three times their former 

 size ; and they were very much richer in flavor ; and, whereas 

 there was no market for them before, always going for cider, 

 now there was a ready market for them ; we sent in one year 

 from that one tree, four or five barrels of nice fruit to Bath, as 

 a good fall eating apple. They were so good that we might 

 have introduced the apple as a new variety, and named it 

 Atherton's Seedling, or Atherton's Favorite, just as some 

 apples are named Williams' Favorite or Smith's Favorite, or 

 Aunt Hannah's Best, One portion of our orchard has never 

 been plowed. It has always been kept in good heart, partly 

 from an annual wash from the barn-yard and road-side, and 

 partly from top-dressings, and has always done well. 



But I must not dwell at too great length on this part of my 

 subject. It would be interesting could those old worthies 

 arise from their graves and give us a personal history of their 

 experience in planting and rearing these orchards. But they 

 cannot, and we must be contented to glean a little here and 

 there and apply it to our own times, either as an example 

 w^orthy to follow or as a danger to avoid. 



Renovation. 



What, then, must Ave do to preserve our old orchards, and 

 not only to preserve, but also to put new life and power and 

 productiveness into them ? 



The very first thing to be considered is, the age and condi- 

 tion of the orchard. Is it on the last decline of life? Has it 

 become so enfeebled by disease, by natural decay, and by the 

 severities of climate that it will not pay to expend time and 

 money upon it ? If so, you ought to know what to do at once. 

 To preserve the old elm on Boston common as long as pos- 

 sible, was a grand and patriotic idea. To stay up its broken 

 and shattered limbs, to guard its decayed and feeble trunk 



