STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 69 



of orchards and gardens, which must become one of the foremost 

 agricultural pursuits in our New England States, situated as we are 

 midway between the equator and the north pole. Lands that are now 

 considered only fit for pasturage or wood lands, steep and uneven, 

 too rocky to plough, will in time be planted to orchards of apples. 

 "We will acquire the skill to grow good trees that will bear good 

 fruit without cultivating with the plough; other methods of pre- 

 paring laud will be acquired, less stirring the soil, but liberal 

 dressing will be in order. If New England can grow better flavored 

 apples than other sections, why not avail ourselves of this advan- 

 tage, as Florida does with the orange, California with the grape and: 

 stone fruits, Delaware with peaches, as each section of country has 

 its natural aptitude for its specialties. 



DISCUSSION. 



Ques. What is the best method of applying dressing and the 

 best kind of dressing? 



Ans. Every grower has got to adapt himself to the circum- 

 stances and conditions that surround him. He would make no 

 mistake in applying any manure. If he wants to do his best 

 perhaps he would apply a variety. It would be well to apply stable 

 manure ; it would also be well to apply unleached ashes and fine 

 ground bones ; but be sure to make an annual application if you 

 want your fruit to bring the highest price in the market and your 

 trees to have a healih}' and vigorous growth. If you expect to get 

 a good crop of apples or grapes on an improper soil you will be 

 sure to be disappointed The ouly way for a man to get the most 

 out of his fruit culture is by liberal treatment. 



Ques. Would you recommend the keeping of sheep in an, 

 orchard ? 



Ans. I have tried that experiment. Some ten years ago I 

 fenced off about an acre and a half of my orchard, and bought 

 some sheep and put them in. I had heard that they were good to 

 eat apples and destroy the insects. Experience teaches that while 

 they gather their sustenance from the ground and distribute their 

 droppings, thus benefiting the trees, they do not eat the apples. 

 The sheep will take a bite out of an apple and leave the remainder^ 

 especially where apples are plenty. I should rather run the risk 

 of swine for the benefit of an orchard than sheep. Still I should 

 not hesitate to put sheep into an orchard and it would probal)ly be 



