192 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



April 



ble, but he did, and preferred to be a farmer in 

 "Wilmington than anywhere else. Boston market 

 was good, and the Woburn very respectable. 



Dr. LoRiNG observed that the question of prof- 

 it would decide the question of fruit raising. He 

 had his doubts whether orchards were as good as 

 crops. An apple tree was useless at fifty j'ears 

 old, it would bear only about thirty-five years, 

 and then only in alternate years, while little else 

 could occupy the ground of an orchard He would 

 not speak directly against trees, but he would 

 have them on land that was not suitable for other 

 purposes. 



Mr. Sheldon again spoke, and said apple trees 

 would bear at twelve years, and alluded to his 

 own profits of fruit culture. 



Mr. Howard, of the Cultivator, spoke of the 

 adaptation of trees to soil and climate. Varieties 

 fit for cultivation were few, compared with the 

 whole number. Natives are the best. The Green- 

 ing, Roxbury Russet and Baldwin were mentioned 

 as standards of excellence. Other varieties in the 

 West may be profitable, but will they answer 

 here ? The Tompkins County King was alluded 

 to as beautiful there, but not tested here. Gen- 

 erally, the New York apples will not flourish in 

 our regions — witness the Newtown Pippin and 

 the Esopus Spitzenberg. Mr. H. saw the former 

 in Europe, where they were selling at a sixpence 

 apiece — the best apple they knew. The best fruit 

 fairs in England he did not attend, but those in 

 France he did ; yet they did not come up to ours. 

 Their pears were better, but the American and 

 Canada apples maintain their superiority over the 

 world. He would not advise every farmer, bow- 

 er, to make fruit growing a specialty. Our ap- 

 ples are so good, there can be no competition in 

 Europe. He spoke of a single firm that had 

 shipped 80,000 barrels. Pear trees, he thought, 

 had suffered much from cold winters, and it was a 

 caution to us to select the most hardy. 



Mr. Wilder said the Tompkins County King 

 indicated as well here as in New York. At a vote 

 of the North-western Fruit Growers' convention, 

 the choice apples stood as follows : — Baldwin, 

 Rhode Island Greening, Roxbury Russet, Tomp- 

 kins County King, and the Tolman Sweet. It is 

 the fluctuations, rather than the cold, which in- 

 jure our trees. The Tartarean cherry is hardy at 

 home, but tender here from the revolutions of our 

 seasons. Inquiry being made as to digging a hole 

 for trees, Mr. W. said again that the soil should 

 be trenched about eighteen inches deep, with the 

 manure well incorporated, so as to encourage the 

 lateral growth of root^ Holes for trees were pot- 

 holes for water. He did not think much could be 

 done with old trees, but by removing the grass 

 and putting on ashes and lime, they might be im- 

 proved. 



Mr. Sargeant inquired of Mr. Rogers's hybrid 

 grapes, and the chairman replied that they were 

 the first instances of the artificial crossing of the 

 grape ; but if the subject were continued at the 

 next meeting, they might be again alluded to. 



Other short speeches were made, when Mr. 

 Wetherell moved to lay the same subject over 

 for discussion at the next meeting, which motion 

 prevailed. It is understood that grapes, straw- 

 berries and the smaller fruits will then be partic- 

 ularly discussed. 



For the New England Farmer» 

 A SPRINO SONG. 



BY JOHN CALVIK GITCHELL. 



We count the hours that come and go 

 Between us and each hoped-for pleasure. 



Impatient that they move so slow, 

 To make complete the dial's measure ; 



But dare not note the hours that pass 

 Between us and a looked-for sorrow j 



And only cry, alas ! alas ! 

 Let it not come until to-morrow. 



God gives us buds in the spring-time, 

 In summer, full-grown leaves and flowers ) 



And yet some deem it is a crime 

 To worship Flora in her bowers. 



But on we move, and on we move, 

 And country bards will still keep singings 



"The months are here for holy love. 

 For leaves and blooms to life are springing !" 

 Botcateen, N. II., March, 18G2. 



For the New England Farmer. 

 PLAN OP A SHEEP BARN. 



"Subscriber," of Rumney, N. H., wants a plan 

 of a sheep barn of capacity to accommodate 200 

 or 300 sheep, standing on level ground. 



I give you a plan, according to my idea, that 

 may meet the approbation of some who may be 

 about to build for the same purpose. 



The barn should be at least 40 by 60 feet ; a 

 floor or driveway 12 feet wide, running through 

 the centre from end to end, leaving 14 feet on 

 each side for leantos. The floor or driveway to 

 be elevated 2 feet, by framing in to the posts an 

 extra tier of timbers for the floor to rest upon. 

 There are two advantages gained by the eleva- 

 tion : first, the pitching ofl" hay from the cart, and 

 second, by giving a good chance for racks to feed 

 in, off" the side oft the floor. The racks should 

 run the entire length of the barn. Rack rounds 

 should be set 4 inches apart from centre to centre. 

 A crib should be made at the bottom of the rack, 

 about 14 inches wide, with uprights 15 or 16 inch- 

 es apart, going into the rack nave. If more racks 

 are wanted, put in short ones across the leantos, 

 which will, at the same time, divide the flock if 

 you choose. There will be a good chance for a 

 cellar under the floor, costing but little to dig it, 

 the floor being elevated. When the barn is well 

 underp*«\ned, then fill up the leantos, to the bot- 

 tom of the sills, with sand or loam, which will be 

 preferable to a floor, making a good place for 

 composting leaves, straw, &c., with the droppings 

 of the sheep. Subscriber. 



GrotoH, N. H.y 1862. 



