The Portland daily press., 1872-01-26


voted that Prof Fernald Of Orono, and Secre-
Maine Board Of Agriculture at the National
Agricultural Association, to be held at Wash /
ington, d. c., Feb. Is, 1872.
PAsTURAGE. --''
Prof. Fernald presented the method of treat |
ment adopted by Mr.. Arey of Hampden, re-
garding pastures. He divides them into sever
al departments, changing the stock from one to
the other from time to time. Turns under, say
lot No. 1, when there is about half ton of
grass on an acre; cultivates hoed or grain crops
a year or two, then lays down to grass; thinks
farmers err in feeding too closely; the secret
lies in taking the stock off before the feed is
closely cropped fEasavgp-ss
President Gilbert expressed hope that Mr.
A. would in future meet with the Board. Mr..
Arey seeds with herdsgrass and clover. iNl 1
oRCHARDING. H'o
Discussion on orcharding opened by T. S.
Gould Omitting the mere fancy products, he
confined himself to the culture of the apple and
pear Where nature has not provided loose
subsoil it is necessary to under-drain in order
to convey away surplus matter, and also to
give the roots chance to strike downward as
they desire The aspect for orchards should re-
ceive due amount of attention. Preparation
of soil is essential. The cultivation of such
hoed crops as require high manuring is advisa-
BILE in orchards where the soil is such as to ad-
nit of working. In planting an orchard we
should not look merely at the present. but for
ward to the future. The preparation of holes
for sitting trees should occupy particular atten-
ton; should be broad and highest on the bot
tom in the center, sloping gently to its edges
Carefully cut back shoots to half of last years
growth, and every lacerated root, sloping and
smoothly Trees from two to three years
growth are best for transplanting. Select trees
from the nursery yourself, it possible; those
with well balanced, even tops, and also of roots.
Nursery men do not alwas trim trees in the best
manner for our wants. He would prescribe no
fruit for different localities till acquainted thor
oughly with all attendant peculiarties of soil
and climate. He thinks early fall planting far
preferable to late and perhaps as conducive to
good results as spring. Roots in transit should
be protected from freezing, and they also should
be carefully protected from dryness He illus
trated by referring to transplantng forest trees,
fully. In transplating put the roots in their
natural positions, and fill loan carefully about
them. He recommends using water in moder-
ate quantities to settle the earth more firmly
about them. All animals should be excluded
from fields devoted to tree culture and orchard
~--53 S.'A' W >~NS SStSS.Av NoSA-ASSs~~ w N-S~A
ards.
The culture an orchard should receive, is a
much mooted question among fruit growers.
Would occupy ground when trees are small
with potatoes or some other hoed crop, giving
plenty of room about the trees unoccupied.
Thinks blowing, as usually conducted in Or
chards, is as conducive to damage as to benefit.
Thinks orchards may be successfully managed
even where grass is allowed to grow, especially
where the trees are large; would pasture such
with hogs or sheep, placing some protection
about the trunks; would exclude the animals
in the latter part of the summer
In selecting trees, avoid one that forks; they
never make as desirable trees as others. Recon-
mends shelter, but not to exclude ventilation:
evergreens make the best shelters. Prune lit
tie and often; prune early and judiciously. Do
it with the knife. Winter gives peculiar facili-
ties for this operation Make a clear, smooth
cut; not too close, neither leaving a stump; re-
move all suckers each year, keep a proper
amount OF growth upon all sides to secure a
well balanced head.
Great care should be exercised in harvesting.
Gather by picking from the tree, not from the
ground. Cold, wet ground in which trees are
placed, is conducive to the many ills, and per-
haps the parent of them all A late, vigorous
growth late in autumn, is to be avoided.
The insect enemies we have to contend with,
are the bark louise, canker worm, the borer, the
tent caterpillar, the apple worm and the apple
maggot. Spoke at some length upon the habits
and devastation of the borer, also means of pre-
vention, but gave nothing new upon this point.
Col. Hersey of Lincoln, inquired how far
apart he would place trees in an apple orchard.
Mr.. Gould, answered from thirty to forty feet.
Mr.. Lucas of Somerset inquired how many
upon an acre.
Mr.. Gould said about forty
Mr.. g. f. Perley of Naples, followed in some
remarks: Said Mr.. Gould had confined him
self more to general than to specific principles;
considered him good authority, and had been
very much interested in his remarks Spoke
DartIcularlV of the nroduptop of
time and effort has been wasted upon unsuitable
sites; would select a northern exposure-rea-
sons-better soil, and deeper, Best soils for or
chsrding, are stone, or granite, poorest sand,
stiff clay and muck. Soils composed of field
spar largely, are well adapted to orcharding.-
Protection by means of shelters, pays by the
saving OF fruit from being blown off by high
Winds gales and squalls in a great measure
would prefer the whole field in room of holes
and special places for receiving the trees; does
not fully indorse the putting water about the
roots at setting; thinks trees for TRANSFORMING
should be small; pear trees not more than two
years old at the most. The height Of trees
should not be over four feet; thinks from thirty
to forty trees sufficient for an acre of land here
in the State of Maine where land is not very
valuable we certainly ought to give them room
enough. The time for tranSplanting is when
the leaves are off and the ground dry. Beans,
cucumbers or tomatoes are good crop to culti-
vate in orchards; does not think favorably of
potatoes or turnps, as they are are q potash loy-
Ing pitnt anu inlay roD tne trees. w Quiz never
use oxen to pillow near trees; single horse with
careful driver and careful man at the plow
should be employed He thinks good COM
post made of muck and barn-yard manure is
good for fertilizlng-superphos are good
lime is good. When trees become large run
to grass or pasture,-all things considered, he
prefers sheep to stock an orchard with; he cited
an instance of profitable increase in his own
experience. He thinks it won't do to pillow and
break off many of the roots of old trees. Bas-
kets for gathering apples should be lined and
the utmost care exercised in handling; should
never be allowed to drop, even an inch Bar
rels in which apples are marketed should be
clean and neat in appearance. Send no poor
fruit to market. Good fruit will command
good prices; pack so they shall not have room
to bruise No person is too old to start an or
chard l4
Hon. V. D. Paris inquired the speakers ex
perience in grating old orchards.
Mr. Perley answered that his experience had
been varied; would cut back severely,-will not
always be satisfactory; would fertilize with
compost or other fertilizer at same time. Never
plant young trees where old ones have been re-
movod. ,Mulching had not given expected re-
suits with him. 7%A