226 Transactions of the AjfEETCAN Institute. 



week the leaves liad a fine, vigorous appearance, the trees bloomed 

 and fruited admirably. 



Mr. E.. H. Williams. — It is well understood on Long: Island that 

 salt kills the wire-worm, and also that it is a special fertilizer for the 

 plum. Some years ago I knew of an orchard, near the sea. A tide 

 of great violence flooded it, and every tree was killed by the salt 

 water except the plums. They were benefited. 



Plant Tkuit Trees. 



Dr. Wm. H. Long, South ville, Ky. — There are many farmers, who 

 have their entire capital invested in their farms and necessary stock, 

 who find themselves unable, without inconvenience, to spare the 

 necessary amount to purchase trees for an orchard. Many of them 

 have ground to spare for an orchard, and would grow fruit as a 

 som"ce of profit if they could procure the trees. I frequently hear 

 the expression : " I would like to set out an orchard in that field if I 

 only had the means." To this class I would make a few suggestions. 

 Any man who can spare a few rows across his garden, or elsewhere, 

 can, in three or four years, have all the fruit trees he wants. Let the 

 soil be good, and prepare it by plowing well. Either in the fall or 

 spring will do to plant, but the spring is preferred. Lay off in rows 

 four feet apart. If apple seed cannot be obtained, the cores of those 

 used in the family should be saved, or the pomace remaining after 

 making cider. Drill these thick in the rows ; and if cores are planted, 

 mash every one when planted with the foot. If in the fall, they 

 «honld be covered pretty deep ; but if in spring, an inch is deep 

 enough. When they have commenced growing they will require to 

 be thinned to three inches, and transplant in missing places. Culti- 

 vate well for two years, and they are ready for grafting. In Febru- 

 ary, when two years old, dig them up, carefully preserving the roots, 

 and bury them nicely in the cellar, or on the north side of a house or 

 stone wall. Select your grafts from the best bearing trees in the 

 neighborhood, taking the last year's growth only. Be careful to get 

 a variety of summer, fall and winter fruit, and keep each kind sepa- 

 rate and marked. Keep the cut ends covered with earth to prevent 

 drying. A good grafting wax is prepared by melting together seven 

 pounds of resin, one pound of beeswax, and one of tallow. Prepare 

 your ground for setting out the grafted roots by deep plowing, and 

 lay off rows four feet apart. Kow, with the wax prepared and a 

 shai-p knife, you are ready. Anybody can graft who has mechanical 



