328 



THE ORCHARD. 



made up in the size of those retained. Also 

 the tree is more certain to mature a suffi- 

 ciency of fruitful buds to bear the following 

 year, without which precaution it would not 

 be the case. The injurious effects of omitting 

 to attend to thinning of the fruit, is very fre- 

 quently discovered by trees being nearly 

 destitute of fruit for one season, during which 

 they regain their strength; and then the fol- 

 lowing year they will have an abundant crop, 

 which weakens them. I have seen many 

 instances of this description where they have 

 alternately been loaded with fruit, and then 

 nearly barren. 



In the spring just before the blossom opens, 

 it contributes very much to the certain sett- 

 ing of the fruit, to pour a large quantity of 

 water over the roots of the trees; as much 

 water as will settle to the depth of half 

 a yard or two feet should be given. When I 

 have manure water I use that for the pur- 

 pose, otherwise soft pond water. Were it 

 not for this practice in dry seasons, a great 

 portion of the bloom or young fruit would 

 drop off. After the fruit has begun to swell, 

 I repeat the watering at the roots. 



When a tree turns out to be of a wrong kind 

 and it is desired to change it, this may be 

 done by inserting a graft of the desired sort, 

 and pruning the other away. If the tree had 

 previously made considerable progress, one 

 graft may be inserted to grow erect, and one to 



