Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-10-24
AGRICJAYVRaA.
Prom the .Jiassaclusetts Agricultural REPOSITORY
ON THE BAD MANAGEMENT OF OR
CIIARDS.

CUARDS.
Why are the farmers SO neglectful oil
their orchards Our farms are portioned
out into orchard, moving, tillage and
pasture. This is so common division,
that plantation of fruit trees must have
been considered useful occupation OF
the soil. But in what state are the trees
in most parts of the country Good or
chards are, however, sufficiently numer-
Gus to shew that good management in
this branch of husbandry is as profitable
as in any other.
If some districts are well stocked with
trees others exhibit only few, scattered
along Oh the road side, old and in de-
.repid state, the remnants Of fine or
1 IDS of better days.
But, in respectable farming towns, in
all parts of the commonwealth, one may
see, in the fields, apple and other fruit
trees, bristled all over, from root to top,
with branches like whip sticks; hide
bound, cankered and covered with moss
Al the sap which, in this state of the
trees, the roots can supply is little, ii
any, more than enough to feed the years
growth of wood. AT best the produce is
but small quantity Of half grown de-
generate fruit.
Many farmers think no attention me-
cessa"y to young trees after planting, un-
less ii be to keep the ground open round
the roots for year or two. The stocks
are then left entirely to their own in
stinct OF self preservation and natura!
tendency to grow and fructify. The
innate yigor Of the plant is all its de-
pendence. Its self renova,;ng power,
Its only means OF recovery from injuries
inflicted by insects. IF tree survives
carly neglect, the unnamed luxuriance Of
its top, seems to reproach the farmer for
his want of care, as its redundancy of
wood is incompatible with the produc-
tion of fruit.
BAD cyder is as common as poor Or
shards. Whether the great consump-
ton of ardent spirits is the cause, or the
effect, of the indifferent quality OF the cy-
der made in this state, the use Of them
is at least countenanced by it. Not
tavern keeper, or innholder thinks that
Tic CICtIlt vi Ilo llOuSN 10 Ill dliy dCSlCC
affected by the quality of the cyder he
may offer to his guests, however poor it
may be. 1t is apology enough, that any
better than his is rarely found in private
houses. There are but two states in
which this liquor is commonly seen. 1t
is either syrup or verJuice. A farmers
family will gorge themselves with the
Grst for about six weeks after the cyder
comes from the press, and then drink
the latter all the rest of the year, unless
indeed, its corrosive asperity should rem
der a recourse to rum or brandy neces-
Sary.
Perhaps not many of the tables of our
farmers, mechanics and laborers, are
regularly supplied at meals with ardent
spirits, as family beverage. But the
heads of families and hired men drink
but sparingly of sour cyder, knowing that
such an indulgence as would satisfy their
craving for liquid, would be attended
with severe collie and other unpleasant
effects. The complement of drink for
workmen is commonly, therefore, made
up with ardent spirits, taken at other
times during the day. 1t would be go
ING too far to assert, that the farmers, as
y class, are Incorporate in the use of
ardent spirits. 1t is however, subject
of regret, that the practice is not more
disreputable, and that young men in their
full health and vigor, should SO often re-
euire of their employers an allowance OF
a AaLf Pint Of shirits her day, as a
accessory of life. Sound cyder would
nvigorate more without impairing the
tone of the stomach. But how few
farmers have it in their power to offer
the alternative. A good method OF
making, in the first place, and then OF
preserving, cyder, is SO rarely practised'
that farmers are themselves to blame
chat they are at so much expense Tor
rum, when there can be little doubt, that
4 .their hired men and they themselves
would give preference to cyder, not
sour. They have but to cherish their
orchards, and to pursue queH known
methods in manufacturing and curing the
liquor, to be relieved from vexatious
expense, and the still more yexatious
evils of occasional, or habitual, intern
perance.
Emit il not staff of life. but il is ar