1 6 % POMEROY ON FRUIT PLANTATIONS. 
perhaps calves, and pigs, are turned in, in the spring 
and beginning of summer, it is mostly a trespass upon 
the covenant. Sheep are universally excluded ; and 
this, from a well-grounded apprehension, that the 
grease, or whatever it may be they leave on the 
trees after rubbing against them, is peculiarly preju¬ 
dicial. 
Upon the first surmise of a blight, they collect the 
coarse grass of the orchard, or any other material that 
in burning produces a considerable smoke, and with 
this they fumigate the trees. Myriads of insects have 
been known to be destroyed in this manner. The fruit 
is gathered as it falls from the tree; no force is used 
till the leaves are mostly fallen, and all employed then, 
is shaking with the hand, or striking between the larger 
Branches with a slight pole. It is, if possible, collected 
when dry, and housed in a loft over the mill, separated 
frequently with partitions, all opening by sliding boards 
into one part, in which there is a hole, through which 
}t is let down into the mill; as that gathered first is 
placed nearest the opening, it of course is also ground 
first. No respect is had to quantity ; whatever the loft 
will hold, is placed in it without scruple. The cir¬ 
cumstance of much rain falling on the fruit when se¬ 
parated from the tree, though totally disregarded, or 
rather recommended here, is considered there as one 
of the most fatal accidents that can befall it. If the 
loft over the mill is not equal to the whole crop, wha 
remains is laid up in other buildings. 
As some liberty has been taken, in reprobating what 
appears to be the general management of the county, 
with respect to the fruit plantations, the following ob¬ 
servations are offered, w r ith great deference, to the 
consideration of the planter. 
1 
The 
