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C3rJE3C:>f«.C3;-£3 IV.

APPLE AID PEACH CDLTDEIST,

ADAPTED TO

THE SOIL AND CLIMATE OF MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, THE CAROLINAS, GEORGIA

AND FARTHER SOUTH, INCLUDING PORTIONS OF THE WEST

AND WEST VIRGINIA, CONTAINING

FULL AND PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS

IN

SUCCESSFUL CULTURE, GRAFTING, BUDDING, TRAINING, TRANSPLANTING,
MULCHING, PRUNING, FRUIT-GATHERING, &C., &C.,

TOGETHER WITH

OF THE MOST ESTEEMED ORCHARD FRUITS, SUITABLE FOR THE TABLE, THE
KITCHEN, AND FOR MARKET PURPOSES,

■with: ixjXjTJStS;.^tioz^s.

ALSO

A TREATISE ON INSECTS AND THEIR EXTERMINATION.

BY

ulUcvist, member of the Virginia Mort
and the American Ponvological Society.

Practical Hortioultarist, member of the Virginia Horticultural Society

J. ^SV. IF-ITZ, Editor,

Prof. West Ten/nessee Female College.

J. W. RANDOLPH k ENGLISH,

1318 MAIN S-rRE;E-T-, RICHMOND, VA

1872.

^ ff

f^^

Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1872,

By J. "w. FiTZ, and .i. "ft'. Randolph & English,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C.

Fergcssox & Rady, Printers. Richmond.

PREFACE.

One of the most prominent authors on American Horticul-
ture, says in the preface to his excellent work on "Fruit and
Fruit Trees," "A man born in one of the largest gardens,
and upon the banks of one of the noblest rivers of America,
ought to have a natural right to talk about Fruit Trees." Our
Grand Sire, Adam, also first saw the light near a garden—
cultivated fruit there. That same garden was the source of a
"noble river." The author of this work was not born in a
garden or on the banks of a noble river; but on the
breezy summit of a red-land mountain in Piedmont, Vir-
ginia—not so high, perhaps as that mentioned in Holy
Writ, where all the kingdoms of the earth were shown
in one view, but high enough for salubrious atmosphere, and
for the pure air to play among the green foliage and white
blossoms of the waving orchards in Spring, and the bending
trees laden with red, striped, and golden burdens of tender, lus-
cious apples in Summer and Fall ; that might vie with the
allegorical apples of Paradise— that flouted their tempting
beauty and sweetness amid the groves in the garden of Eden.

The Peach too, the melting, juicy, nectared Peach, in all
its perfection, grow here in the bright sun and ambient air.
No borer ever, in those days, presumed to work destruction
to its roots, or winged insects sting the soft blushing cheek of
its downy fruit, that hung in delicious clusters, wooing the
hand to reach forth and take.

Reared amid these surroundings, the author, in the re-
collection' regrets the lethargy that at present pervades the
South in regard to fruit culture, and the degeneracy of fruits;
and like the celebrated author just referred to, thinks he has
a right to talk, and investigate the causes of both, to discuss
freely all other 2^oints appertaining to successful, remunera-
tive fruit-culture. He also hopes, from his practical know-

IV PREFACE.

ledge and experience in horticultural and pomological pur-
suits, and from his valuable correspondence, and select
and copious cullings from the best authors, both British and
American, and a thorough examination of their views, to fill
the vacuum that exists in Southern horticulture, by supplying
the information so much needed in the successful culture of
fruit-trees.

The prevalence of this apathy and inattention in a large, en-
lightened, rural communit}^, whose soil and climate is unsur-
passed as it regards adaptation to fruit trees, their longevity,
luxuriant growth and perfection of fruit, is only to be ac-
counted for by assuming that the agricultural interests of the
people have monopolized not only their soil, but their ener-
gies, leaving only the '■^ truck-jmteJi' and a small part of the
garden for fruit trees, and scarcely a thought about their
cultivation.

We hope in the following pages to show the impolicy of
a course so exclusive ; and we might say so prejudicial
to the community ; as good health, good living, and
good morals, to say nothing of pecuniary results that will
rival cotton or tobacco, are prominent benefits that will cer-
tainly reward the care and attention bestow^ed on fruit-trees.

Although this work is arranged and intended for Southern
and Western latitudes and climates, yet its use is not incompat-
ible with wide range and general patronage ; and with modifi-
cations to suit particular localities may be used in almost all
sections of our country.

The Author.
October, 1872.

PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR,

The Author and Editor have been at great pains to render
this work, the first of the kind published in the South, com-
plete and exhaustive in the specialties of which it treats — in
a word, a practical standard treatise for the farmer's and
fruit-grower's library.

The numerous select lists of fruits for the various geological
sections of each state are valuable, and may be implicitly re-
lied on. As to this feature, it is unique and exceptional.

Fruit nomenclature, hitherto in such confusion, has received
the attention its importance merits, and incorrect names have
been signified under the requisite changes.

The Pilot and Albemarle Pippin, celebrated apples of this
Piedmont country, have been for the first time introduced
into a standard book. Shakspeare surely would have enjoyed
them, as witness. Justice Shallow to Falstaff : "You shall see
mine orchard, where in an arbour we will eat a last year's
pippin of my own grafting," and again, Sir Hugh Evans, in
the " Merry Wives of Windsor, " " I will make an end of my
dinner — there's pippins and cheese to come."

En passant, with deference, though the American Pomo-
logical Society in its Catalogue places the Newtown pippin, as
the general name, and the Albemarle pippin as the local
name for the same apple, yet we apprehend it is still a question
which name ought to have precedence — a point to be in-
quired into.

As to foreign varieties of apples and peaches, but few have
been tested with satisfaction. Of the former, some of Rus-
sian origin, such as the Tetofsky, have met with favor in the
No rthwest.

Southern pomologists should make trial of varieties of
Southern Europe, and such parts of Asia, as in topical
aspects are under like isothermal lines.

VI PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR.

The Male Carle, the famous commercial apple of Italy, is
well adapted to the South.

As the statistics of census of 1870 teach, horticultural
progress is making rapid advances, and soon our Southland
will be famed for its supremacy in fruit culture.

Pomological Societies should be established in every county,
and chairs of Horticulture and Pomology well endowed, be
founded in every college.

Towa is in advance of Virginia in this regard.

The manufacture of the work is creditable to Richmond
enterprise.

Mr. Kennedy Palmer, artist and attached of the Richmond
Enquirer Office, executed the engravings. As a work of
this character should be both critical and comprehensive, it,
of course, required great labor and peculiar qualifications in
the author to produce it ; hence, whenever preceding writers
have described any matter well and clearl}^ he has endorsed
them in their exact lan<]:uaore. The results of his own ex-
perience are embodied in the work.

Appropriately to the foregoing, I may invoke the saying of
a wise man, alius alio plus invenire j^otest ; and to the same
intent that of my Lord Coke, JiiJiil simul inventum et per-
feetum est.

In conclusion, let me direct the attention of farmers and
fruit-growers to the study of botany, entomology and meteor-
ology, as bearing specially upon pomology, which is now a
science; and the principles of the facts upon which it is based
should be thoroughly comprehended.

J. W. FiTZ.

Keswick^ Va.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page.

1. George IV Frontispiece

2. Treatment of Growing Bud 38

3. Cleft and Root Grafting 43

4. Extreme Branch Grafting 45

5. Design for Orchard 67

6. Design for Orchard 68

7. Notched Board 71

8. Pruning Chisel 100

9. Yellow Bellefleur Apple 146

10. Wine Sap Apple 154

11. Round Headed Apple Tree Borer, Larva, Pupa, Beetle 190

12. Flat Hep-ded Borer 196

13. Codling Moth, or Apple Worm, in all Stages 197

14. Harris' Bark Louse 205

15. Oyster Shell Bark Louse 206

PEACH CULTURE.

16. Pruned and Unpruned Trees 245

17. Male Borer — Female Borer 256

18. Peach Worm 256

19. Curculio 261

20. Curculio— Larva— Pupa— Beetle 264

INTRODUCTION,

It will be readily perceived, on examining authors on fruit
culture, that the South has been neglected, not only by North-
ern agriculturists, horticulturists and pomologists, but also
by Southern writers, some of whom were, and are, eminently
qualified to handle this subject in a most comprehensive
and masterly manner.

Perhaps no portion of the world can boast a more conge-
nial and favorable climate than that part of the American
continent which our title page designates, for fruit of almost
every kind, and especially for the most palatable, wholesome,
medicinal and valuable of all fruits — the apple and peach.

Situated between the extremes of Northern and Southern
lines, deemed unfavorable to high flavor and delicious perfec-
tion, the field for successful culture is so ample, congenial and
universal, that it is passing strange that able pens have not
diffused among Southern farmers the art and science of horti-
culture and pomology in all their practical and interesting
details, and the value, growing and care of young orchards
understood and appreciated as it should be.

It is admitted that, to some extent, we are aroused on the
subject, and are convinced of the natural advantages of our
soil and climate; and that many thrifty orchards are cultivated
with abundant success in the various portions of the South,
ern States, except in the maritime districts of the Carolinas
and Georgia, which are sandy and level and the air replete
with humidity, rendering that section not so well adapted to
the apple and peach, but well suited for the culture of other
delicious fruits.

Although English and Northern writers are profuse in
general and particular directions and instructions in the cul-
ture and management of fruit trees, yet such works mostly
apply to the particular humid climate of the one and arctic
2

Z INTRODUCTION.

location of the other, in which their own experience, although
limited as to latitude, is very properly brought to aid them in
their valuable compilations and publications. This ignorance,
however, of what is best for more favorable climates, renders
these works less valuable here, although the general culture
and management may approximate to that proper for more
favorable latitudes.

Still the question might be asked. Why will not Northern
tillage and management and varieties of fruit answer about
as well in the South? We reply, as farther objection, that
climate makes the difference in all these things, or in the most
of them. A list of fine apples and peaches originating and
flourishing at the North, and the leading domestic and mar-
ket fruits there, when carried to Virginia and farther South,
lose their distinctive features: for instance, a winter apple at
the North is a fall or early autumn apple here, and autumn
fruit there becomes summer fruit here, and so on throughout
all the different varieties in the catalogue. Time of cultiva-
tion, pruning, modifications in the culture and general treat-
ment of the soil, have also some part in making up the differ-
ence between Northern and Southern success in cultivation.

Special and select catalogues, carefully prepared and ar-
ranged to suit our latitude and that of more Southern States,
as well as portions of the West, will be found in this volume;
and the author has spared no pains or expense in consulting
pomologists and others of the different States of the South,
from Maryland to Georgia, and the West, not only in regard
to a list for general cultivation, but for lists for special locali-
ties, and for a succession of fruit during the different seasons,
suitable for market and home consumption, for cider, and for
all other purposes.

The author is not aware of the existence of any regular
and extended treatise on apple and peach culture suitable for
the latitudes designated in this work, although numerous val-
uable papers and articles have appeared from time to time in
our excellent agricultural journals, from which, in compiling
certain portions of this work, he has not failed to avail him-
self of their invaluable aid ; and, in addition to his own views

INTRODUCTION. 3

and experience, numerous standard works, both British and
American, have been carefully consulted. Nor has the au-
thor troubled the reader with a useless parade of quotations
from different authors, but he has, when deemed proper,
adopted their observations where his own were either defec-
tive or totally wanting. Some of those to whom he is most
obliged are A. F. M. Willock, English author, with American
notes by James Mease, M.D.; The British Fruit Gardener
and Art of Pruning, by Thomas Abercrombie; Kitts' Trea-
tise on Fruit Trees; Bradley on Gardening; Art of Garden-
ing; Knight on the Culture of the Apple and Pear; Philo-
sophical Transactions; Plan of an Orchard, by George Lirid-
ley ; Bucknel's Orchardist, London ; British Fruits ; Guide
to the Orchard and Kitchen Garden, by George Lindley,
London ; The Orchard and Fruit Garden, by Charles Mcin-
tosh, London. American authors: The New England Fruit
Book, by R. Manning; The Pomological Manual, by Wm. R.
Prince, Ncav York; The American Orchardist, by James
Thatcher, M. D., Boston; A Treatise on Horticulture, by Wm.
R. Prince, New York; Fruits and Fruit Trees of America,
by A. J. Downing, New York and London; Lisects Injurious
to Vegetation, T. AY. Harris, Cambridge, Mass. ; The Prac-
tical Entomologist; Fruits of America, C. M. Hovey; The
American Fruit Book, S. W. Cole; Elliott's Western Fruit
Growers' Guide; Barry's Fruit Garden; Bridgman's Fruit
Cultivators' Manual; Thomas' Fruit Culturist; Rivers' Mini-
ature Fruit Garden; Gardening for the South, Vfilliam N.
W^hite; Fuller's Forest Tree Culturist; A View of the Culti-
vation of Fruit Trees in the United States and of the Man-
agement of Orchards and Cider, by William Coxe, &c.

In addition to the above works on horticulture and po-
mology, we have had access to most of the magazines and
periodical works treating on subjects connected with our work.
Our correspondence with numerous fruit-growers and nurse-
rymen have been valuable and satisfactory. For these es-
teemed favors we return our sincere thanks. From the infor-
mation they have furnished, coming from different parts of

4 INTRODUCTION.

the country, we have been enabled to solve doubts and eluci-
date many facts connected with fruit-growing.

In addition to the scarcity of horticultural information
suited to the South, a farther inducement for the writing and
compilation of this work was suggested by the impulse lately
given to agricultural and general improvement; and from the
tide of emigration now flowing into Virginia and the South
from the North and elsewhere, seem to render a treatise on
"Fruit Culture" almost indispensable, as, it is presumed, such
new settlers have many things to learn in regard to our cli-
mate, &c., that will not admit the delay attendant on practi-
cal experience; and more especially will information be de-
sired as regards ^^ apple ayid peach culture'' — the art of pro-
ducing the most valuable of fruits.

The advantages to be derived from diffusing among the
people a scientific, comprehensive and practical treatise on
horticultural and pomological subjects suited more especially
for our Southern and Southwestern latitudes, must be appa-
rent to all who have bestowed the least thought upon the sub-
ject. Not only is the culture of fruit a source of pleasure,
but, if rightly understood and practiced, it is in many locali-
ties a money-making occupation — an interesting, easy and
safe way to accumulate wealth — conducive to the health and
comfort of man — "a labor of love," with ever increasing
pleasure as the work proceeds.

Nothing immoral can grow out of employment so benefi-
cial, but, on the contrary, an occupation so innocent and use-
ful has a tendency to exalt our views of the goodness of
Providence in bestowing the rich gifts of the vegetable king-
dom with a profuse hand. The Almighty Power that sus-
tains the universe, that points the course of the glorious
orb of day and the silvery retinue of night, also unfolds the
tender blossoms and flowers, and teaches our hands the art
to aid in developing the green tree, the prolific buds and the
golden fruit.

Sound and matured fruit is at all seasons grateful to the
palate, nutritious, medical and desirable. It is especially in
demand during the inclement season of snows and bleak

INTRODUCTION. 6

winds, for we have some weather of that sort in Virginia, and
even farther South. How delightful to sit by the social board
and enjoy the juicy, luscious apple, or the preserved products
of the no less aromatic peach, the small fruits, done up in
the shape of pies and tarts, jellies, &c. To the juveniles of
the family circle, more especially, is the treat to be desired at
this season, and the idea of such a repast makes bright eyes
sparkle, and

Little mouths can never pout

When the apples are about.

The old, the middle-aged and everybody likes a good mel-
low apple, and its use at all seasons is extremely conducive to
the pleasure and health of all.

Mr. Thomas S. Pleasants, of Petersburg, Virginia, in a
valuable article on "Diversity of Agricultural Productions,"
says: "The business of fruit culture admits of almost infinite
expansion ; for though continually increasing, the demand is
always ahead of the supply. It has been prosecuted in the
vicinity of Norfolk with extraordinary success for a number
of years, and to some extent along the margin of the large
water-courses, where the facilities, both for production and
transportation, are equal to any other locality. The conti-
guity of extensive sheets of water is a certain protection
against the damaging effects of late frost. Peaches and ap-
ples are considered among the most profitable crops that can
be grown, as they are always in demand at high prices on the
spot, wherever a skipper can navigate his craft. The early
apples from a thrifty and well-established orchard have been
sold as high as a thousand dollars per acre. As there is no
limit to the demand, the fiirmer can scarcely err in devoting
a part of his premises to the culture of this fruit, always be-
ing particular to select the very earliest varieties. In passing,
it may be well to give a caution against any Northern \ariet;y
for domestic use in winter. Owing to the length of our sea-
sons, they arrive at maturity too soon in the fall to admit of
being kept for that purpose."

It appears from the experience of all farmers who have
planted orchards, that trees furnished by nurseries of our own

6 INTRODUCTION.

State. Virginia, grow better than those brought from Northern
States, and that our nurserymen know better what trees to
recommend for different locations within the State, and are
more reliable than those obtained from traveling agents. The
same may be said of more Southern localities.

A good wTiter says, "It is much to be regretted that so
many orchards throughout the South are so badly cared for.
It is not enough, as some appear to think, to plant an orchard
and fence it, and go annually for a crop of fruit. There are
thousands of trees that have never been pruned nor manured."

In favorable situations these trees will still live and pro-
duce fruit, but in localities less favorable they die or gradu-
ally produce smaller crops and poorer fruit. The good effects
of a liberal dressing of manure, and in most cases ashes, is no
where so apparent as when applied to a poor scrubby orchard.

As a substantial element of food for many, as a valuable
agent in preserving and promoting good health, and as a lux-
ury which all classes may enjoy with a zest and a relish,
"there is no substitute for the apple within the wide range of
food for man." To the non-producer and to those to whom it
is denied by climate, such gratification is unappreciated or un-
known; and the same, to some extent, may be said of the
peach. Both are devoured by most animals with avidity, and
both are especially nutritious and fattening food for hogs.

"Good fruit upon the farm or in the garden may be justly
regarded as the best indication that the agriculturist has been
mindful of his duty to his family and himself, while he has
been considerate in looking to the sure and liberal pecuniary
reward which will follow the labors of the careful, industrious
and intelligent cultivator. The growing of fruits is not only
an attractive pursuit in which men become intensely enthusi-
astic, but it is profitable employment. Hence, under favora-
ble circumstances, every desirable point for raising fruit
should be speedily and thoroughly improved."

"If the Board of Health of large cities," says a judicious
writer, "could have power to regulate the prices of fruits at
certain seasons of the year, without establishing a bad princi-
ple or precedent, benefit would follow; and it would be a

INTRODUCTION. 7

grand thing to place in their hands a fruit fund for the pur-
chase of fruits to be plentifully distributed among the poor.
Good fruit, especially peaches and apples, during the latter
part of summer, keeps the blood cool and prevents feverish-
ness. The juices of fruits dilute the blood and keep it in a
proper condition of fluidity, quite as well if not better than
water. They also keep the kidneys in a high degree of
health — a recommendation that cannot be given to any sort
of artificial drink, not even to w^ater, except it be pure and
soft. It is well enough to disinfect streets and places with
carbolic acid, chloride of lime, &c., but it would be better to
stave off epidemics by making people too healthy to be as-
sailed by them, and this, plenty of good fruit will help greatly
to do."

If ''Agriculture is the nursing mother of the arts, and till-
age and pasturage the two breasts of the State," '"'fruit cul-
ture'' must come in as furnishing a good supply of the nour-
ishment. An esteemed writer. Col. John J. Werth, who has
exhibited no little horticultural literature and good judgment,
says, in an address to the Virginia Horticultural and Pomo-
logical Society:

"But while it is indispensable, under present discourage-
ments, to offer directly profitable results in money actually
received, to stimulate the zealous pursuit of any enterprise
whatever requiring money, yet we w^ould not be at a loss to
find important encouragement for the cultivation of all fruits,
small and large, for home consumption, by almost all classes
who till the soil, if their value could be rightly appreciated
as an economical and healthful, and, may I not venture to
add, an elevating element of subsistence. There is good rea-
son to believe that if our Southern people could be induced
to limit their consumption of animal food, and proportionately
increase their consumption of fruit, there would be a gen-
eral prevalence of better health and more elastic tempera-
ment. It can scarcely have escaped the common observation
of those w^ho have mingled with other nations of the earth,
at their own homes (or where they were congregated in suffi-
cient proportions on other soils to encourage the indulgence

8 IXTRODrCTIOX.

of their native tastes), that those communities of mankind
who habitually subsist, to a large proportion of their diet, on
animal food, are strikingly deficient in that activity and buoy-
ancy and elasticity which mark the character of the vegetable
and fruit-consuming classes. The diiference is not all, nor
nearly all, due to climate, as is generally supposed. The
Spaniard and the Frenchman occupy nearly similar climates,
and are very different in their temperaments. The former is
the grosser feeder, and lacks the activity and elasticity of the
latter. The Irish consume less meat than the British, and
here again we find the vim and buoyancy of character largely
predominant in the vegetable class. The Mexican and Cen-
tral American have lived on beef until they are a mass of
immobility, and have not the energy to pay the slight tribute
of labor which their teeming soil demands for the abundant
production of fruit and vegetables. And so on, through the
various nations of the earth, I have no doubt that careful en-
quiry would establish the rule that energy and activity and
elasticity of temper, and, consequently, a higher grade of
rational enjoyment, are marked characteristics of those who
subsist mostly on the lighter diet of fruit and vegetables.

"But beyond this, there is an urgent appeal, just now,
arising from our peculiar condition and surroundings. We
are not raising anything like meat enough, within the present
arbitrary restriction of our State lines, to subsist our popula-
tion; and, until something happens to enable the white men
of the South to check the universal spirit of plunder which
pervades the negro population, it is in vain to hope that we
shall increase our domestic production of animal food. Here,
then, we find a market at every man's door for fruit and
vegetables, to substitute the enormous consumption of meat,
purchased from beyond our borders. And what is more cer-
tain, more economical, more healthful elements of subsistence
are not to be found than are furnished under the various
modes of preparation, which secure to us throughout the year
all the large and small fruits of our climate, and which it is
within the reach of all who have a few acres of land to culti-
vate and preserve.

INTRODUCTION.

9

"An eminent horticulturist of Massachusetts has practi-
cally found that pears, by carefully selecting a rotation of
kinds as to their period of maturity, may be placed on the
table every day in the year in their naturally ripened condi-
tion. But this extreme success is not necessary. It is only
important to preserve in some form, the fruits of the summer
and fall, until they are succeeded by the productions of re-
turning spring. October finds us gathering grapes and apples
and pears and peaches from the branch, and May renews
the rotation with the strawberry crop.

"And as far as small fruits and the preservation of all
kinds are concerned, we find an additional inducement to
their culture in the adaptation of women and children to fill
most of the employments involved in the pursuit. There
seems to me, therefore, no sufiicient reason why the small
cottager should not, in Virginia and in most of the Southern
States, as well as in France, surround himself with these
healthy and delightful products of our soil; and high conside-
rations of patriotism suggest that every inducement of pre-
cept and example, encouraged by the gratuitous distribution
of trees, vines, plants and cuttings in a small way, should be
held out to this class of our people, to invite them to this
branch of horticulture.

"If there is anything in these considerations, they present
encouragement to us to devote a share of our time and atten-
tion and labor to the culture everywhere, and by all, of some
varieties of fruit, without stopping to enquire whether they
will pay as an article of trade, if we can economically con-
sume them at home. We commend this view of horticulture
to the earnest consideration of the people of the South and
other portions of our country ; and trust that while we are
active in seeking out and distributing information to encour-
age the vigneron and fruit-grower for market, we shall not
forget, by 'line upon line and precept upon precept,' to en-
force upon our people of all conditions and everywhere, to
plant and carefully cultivate the best fruits adapted to their
climate, wants and appliances.''

The great pleasure and profit arising from a choice coUec-

10 INTRODUCTION.

tion of fruit is already becoming appreciated in our country,
and especially in lower Virginia ; and many orchards of fine
fruit, judiciously selected, are now being cultivated in many
portions of the State. Some are bearing fruit which would
compare with that of any State in the Union, or perhaps in
the world. Those who examined the splendid specimens of
apples raised in the Valley of Virginia and exhibited at the
late Augusta County Fair by Mr. Robert McCormick, Jones
and others, will readily conclude that the Valley is the home
of the apple, although in high flavor and aromatic juices, the
Piedmont region may excel. Notwithstanding the severity of
the drought of the year 1869, the exhibition of apples at the
Virginia State Fair by those reliable and intelligent nursery-
men, Messrs. Allan & Johnson and Franklin Davis & Co. and
other gentlemen, was almost all that could be desired, as it
regards size, flavor and variety ; but the grand exhibition of
the American Society at Richmond in 18 fl surpassed any
other display in fruit culture.

We wish to press this point, and recommend all who pro-
pose to plant trees to invest some little care and labor, ajid a
little money^ all to the amount of one dollar or less, for each
young tree for the first year, and say twenty-five cents for
each year afterwards, which would answer and not be extrav-
agant. Trees thus attended to would soon realize a profit on
the investment. In a very few years each tree would yield a
profit equal to the interest of ^100 or $200, and this interest-
bearing fund would be increasing for a length of years, grow-
ing and maturing all the while, even while the farmers were
asleep, abroad, or otherwise occupied.

In an address delivered some years ago before the Ameri-
can Pomological Society by Mr. H. F. French, of New
Hampshire, we find the following suggestive remarks :

"The fact that this (apples) is the most profitable crop
which can be cultivated among us, is well understood. It is
a fair estimate in this part of the State (Exeter), that ten
barrels of winter apples will generally sell for as much money
as a ton .of the best hay. Hay has been considered for many
years the most profitable crop that can be raised for sale in

INTRODUCTION. 11

this section of the State, and it has borne a price, for ten
past years, not upon the average above ten dollars per ton."

Mr. R. F. Williams gathered from an orchard of one acre
onli/, the present year, from grafts set four years ago in very
old and decayed trees, two hundred barreis of first-rate
Baldwin apples. This statement is more valuable as showing
how readily old trees may be changed from producing worth-
less fruit to the production of that which is of the best quality,
than as giving evidence of a remarkable product.

To show how long a time is required to bring trees from
the nursery into bearing, I will give another statement, which
is about a fair example of the success of good cultivation
among us:

''John A. Lowe, Esq., of Exeter, set sixty trees about
three years from the bud in his orchard in the spring of 1843,
and forty more in the fall of the same year. They bore a
few apples in 1847 and 1848. In 1850 he gathered six
barrels; in 1851 twenty-one barrels; and in 1852 fifty bar-
rels of fruit of the best quality."

A writer in the New Eiigland Farmer states that he knows
"an orchard oi forty Baldwin apples that yielded more than
three hundred barrels of fruit of the best quality the past
season, and about the same quantity in the season of 1850."

He says farther, " The ground about these trees has been
kept in a perfectly pulverized state for half a dozen years or
more, and manured like a garden." It should be borne in
mind that the Baldwin usually produces every other year
(unless highly manured).

It would be a fair estimate that fifty trees, which would
stand upon an acre at the distance of about thirty feet apart,
would produce an average annual crop of sixty barrels of
apples, worth at least sixty dollars. It is not uncommon to
see a single tree bear ten barrels of fine apples, and instances
have occurred where sixteen barrels have been gathered at
once from a single tree. At the lowest rate of product that
any man in his senses, who has ever properly cultivated an
orchard in this country, would estimate as a common crop, an

12 INTRODUCTION.

apple orchard will give four times as much profit as the same
quality of land in grass or hay with less cost of cultivation.

In regard to the use of apples for stock, Mr. French says :
"No accurate experiments have been tried by which the value
of apples for cattle and swine has been ascertained. This,
like so many other important agricultural questions, has been
left to be guessed out by Yankee shrewdness.

"Most observing men believe now that apples of all kinds
are very valuable for milch cows and swine. The general
impression is that siveet apples are, for such purposes, more
valuable than soiir, although an analysis, I believe, shows
little diiference in their constituent elements. The opinion
has been confidently expressed by intelligent farmers that
sweet apples are of more value for stock than the same quan-
tity of potatoes. The 'Green Siveet' is, of all others, the
apple to be cultivated for stock. Such food is not required
till winter, and this variety will last till the 20th of May,
which is pasturing time in this State."

If apples are proper food for gtock in winter, they are
equally proper at all other seasons; and where pasture and
grass are scarce, they can be profitably used during summer
and fall, especially for hogs, and they are of advantage to the
orchard by consuming the defective and wormy apples as they
fall, thereby aiding in the destruction of insects alike inju-
rious to the fruit and to the trees.

We predict that soon a large and more regular trade will
be opened for Southern fruit, independent of that raised for
home consumption, and that no product of our soil can yield
so liberal a return for the same amount of labor and capital
as our crop of apples. Even at the low price of one dollar
and fifty cents per barrel, which is lower than any price yet
reached with us, the culture of this fruit pays twice, at least,
the profit of any of our crops, including wheat or tobacco.

We quote further from Mr. French's valuable communica-
tion: "For reasons which are not easily understood, the ap-
ple seems extremely sensitive as to changes of climate. A
variety wjiich thrives well in New England often fails in New
York, while the favorite apple of New York, the New Town

INTRODUCTION. 13

Pippin, cannot be raised in our part of New Hampshire."
(The same rule applies farther South.) ^'A different list is,
therefore, necessary for each locality, to be determined upon
by careful observation of the actual success or failure of each
variety." {These lists we projjose to prepare and include in
this work, so that the farmer, with the advice of his nursery-
man, may make such judicious selection of trees to suit his
purposes and location, as may he desirable.)

"In planting an orchard, regard should first be had to
home consumption, so that the best variety of each season
may be produced, and not a profusion followed by a famine."

In the preparation of lists of apples which have been p>roved
in the South to be abundant bearers and of first quality, and
which will probably, with such additions as every man will
make, with two or three varieties, seedlings, perhaps, from
the old homestead, which taste better to himself than any
body else, be found a sufficient variety for market and for
all useful purposes at home. ''Except to the mere amateur,
a great variety is a source of great trouble and little profit,"
whether intended for market or home consumption or both.

In a lecture by Dr. John A. Warder, of Cincinnati, deliv-
ered January 13th, 1868, we find the following appropriate
remarks on the subject of fruit culture:

'' Upon the present occasion, I propose to occupy your at-
tention with a few general remarks upon the following ques-
tions :

"Why do not our farmers have a plenty of fruit?

"Why should not all who live in the country grow fruit
crops just as they now produce grain, grass and live stock ?

"The first question may be answered very readily, for
most of those who have no fruits, it is simply because they do
not try to have them ; and this is the very natural result of
their ignorance of the means of obtaining an abundance of
those blessings upon almost every farm in the Ur.ited States.

"The latter question may be answered by enumerating
some of the great advantages of fruit growing. These are
primarily the health of the families of the producers; where
fruits are freely consumed upon the table at all seasons of the

14 IXTRODUCTIOX.

year; next, the pleasure attendant upon their propagation,
their culture, and above all, the satisfaction derived from the
harvesting and consumption of these products.

"It is a well-established axiom in the medical profession,
that the regular consumption of fresh, Avell ripened fruit, is
conducive to health ; and it is also a fact that the farmers of
our country are not so well fed as they should be. This is no
body's fault but their own. True, they cannot have so great
a variety of meats as those who reside in towns and villages,
but they may enjoy the greatest profusion of fresh vegetables,
and a succession of ripe fruits the year round, if they will
but choose to take the trouble to plant and cultivate even a
small portion as a garden and orchard.

"An appeal on behalf of fruit culture may also be made
to the more sordid motive of money making. No crops that
are produced from the soil yield so great profits. The pro-
ductiveness of small pieces of land appropriated to fruit cul-
ture is truly wonderful, and the money results in some cases
are so great as to be worthy of the fashionable term 'fabu-
lous.' "

One of the leading objects in presenting this work to the
public, is to induce our farmers to direct more special atten-,
tion to fruit growing. It has been, we think, fully demon-
strated in the preceding pages, that fruit culture is to be an
occupation^ and a blessing, under Providence, to our people,
and will materially aid in our recuperation from the damages
and devastation sustained by the late war. The advantages
as to good health, good living, good morals and pecuniary
results that will be regarded as highly satisfactory, will
all come in as inducements to our farmers to set out and
cultivate orchards. Care in the selection of varieties of
well-established merit, suitable for the location, comprising a
selection that will insure a succession for the year round, is of
the first importance; the earliest varieties being cultivated for
market by those located in or near maratime districts and rail-
roads leading to our large cities, especially to those north of us.
There can he no failure if our farmers will avail themselves
of the simple and cheap means within their reach, to surround

INTRODUCTION. 15

themselves with the beautiful scenery and rich rewards of
teeming orchards. One of the fathers in horticulture says:
'^ If possible, have a good orchard. When I say, I heartily
desire that every man should cultivate an orchard, or at least
a tree of good fruit, it is not necessary that I should point
out how much both himself and the public will be in every
sense the gainers."

In concluding these introductory remarks, the author begs
leave again to be allowed to return his profound acknowledg-
ments for the many favors of his correspondents in different
parts of the South and of the United States, for their nume-
rous suggestions and timely and valuable aid in compiling and
writing this work.

The author also desires to say, that his attention has not
been directed to the various and bulky compilations and quan-
tity of materials within his reach, in order to deal in contro-
verted theories, but rather to a critical selection of facts; and
that this work has not been undertaken with a view merely to
increase numerous volumes already extant of a similar com-
plexion, but to furnish the more Southern and Western por-
tions of our country with special and particular information
suited more particularly to their soil and climate, no where to
be found in contemporary or other authors, and to embody
and present all the most useful, practical and well attested
improvements, the result of more recent culture, observation
and discovery.

Hoping from the advantageous circumstances in which the
author is placed, and from his untiring efforts to produce a
valuable treatise, the public will not be disappointed ; that the
spirit of improvement now abroad may extend to Fruit
Culture; that the hills and vales, fence-corners and waste
places, as well as select places, may be adorned in spring with
blooming trees and orchards, and in summer and fall with
bending boughs laden with choice, luxuriant fruit for home
and for market purposes, alike beneficial to the producer, the
merchant, the consumer and the country.

J. F.

. ORIGI^^ OF THE APPLE TREE.

ITS PHYSICAL PKOPERTIES, NATURAL HISTORY,
HABITS, &c.

The Apple-tree, the common, or Pyrus Mains, L., {^-Epple^
Sax., Ajjfel, Ger.,) a tree arranged by Linnaeus under the
genus Pyrus, it is too well known in this country to require
a minute description. It frequently grows to the height of
twenty or thirty feet, and produces a great variety of fruit.
Botanists are of opinion, that the wildling crab-apple of the
woods and hedges, is the original kind, from the seeds of
which the apple now cultivated was first obtained.

The Apple-tree by cultivation has become indefinitely various
and progressive, producing in a wild state, the small and bit-
ter crab, and under high and successive cultivation, such fruit
as the splendid Albemarle Pippin. The varieties of this spe-
cies in this country, are now multiplied to some thousands in
the different States; all having been accidentally procured from
the seed or kernels of the fruit, or increased by the various
modes of grafting upon crabs or any kind of apple stocks.

Nothwithstanding the numerous sorts, it is believed that it
would be best for all parties, that nurserymen should confine
their stock to forti/ or fifty varieties ; and having these well
attested and adapted to the different regions, their different
locations would enable them to furnish suitable catalogues for
all parts of the country, and prevent the many vexatious fail-
ures and losses sustained by farmers and others, caused by
improper selections.

The fruit of the Apple-tree arrives at full growth in suc-
cessive order from June to the first of November, but comes
to maturity only after gathering ; and many of the winter
kinds may be preserved until the next Spring.

The fruit of the wild crab tree of our woods and forest is flatish,
about one inch in diameter, yellow when ripe, or of the color

ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 17

of polished brass, and possesses an agreeable fragrancy. Per-
haps no tree presents a gayer appearance in Spring, when
dressed in green, and with clusters of flowers of a most pleas-
ing blush. The petals may be compared to flakes of white
wax, faintly tinged with the finest carmine ; though some
trees have flowers of a damask rose color. It grows in
woods and hedges, and flourishes better on declivities and in
shady places than in open exposed situations or on boggy soils ;
its blossoms appear in the month of May.

This parent stock of all varieties of apples is well adapted
as a stock for grafting, because its roots are neither killed by
frost nor eaten by field mice ; grass and even corn will grow
beneath it. The wood of the crab tree is tolerably hard, turns
clean on the lathe ; and will receive a polish which renders it
very desirable. The acid juice of the fruit is commonly term-
ed verjuice, and is employed in recent sprains and in other
cases as an astringent repellent. This fruit is eaten by horses ^
cows, sheep, goats, and particularly by hogs, which are ex-
tremely fond of it.

As this species quickly attains its growth, it deserves to
form a part of every plantation ; and we have only to regret
that it is not more generally cultivated, as it will in a short
time amply compensate the trouble and expense bestowed on
setting it.

In dyeing, the bark of the crab-tree has been employed for
forming ?^ yellow and especially a citron color. Dambourney
relates, that the dry shavings of this wood imparted a fine
chestnut brown to wool prepared by a solution of bismuth.
Turners and cabinet makers also use the wood.

Trees that come from Southern countries contain more
aqueous juice than those that grow in the North, and trees
from the South, when transplanted to a more Northern cli-
mate, are more liable to perish by frost. The remedy for
this, is to deprive such trees of their leaves partially and
gradually before they fall of themselves, so that by the be-
ginning of Winter, the trees should be almost bare. This
thickens the juices and renders them less liable to be injured
by frost.

o

18 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE.

In cookery, apples are used in various ways and forms,
constituting elegant table deserts. They may be sliced and
fried in lard or after meat ; they make fine pies and tarts, and
the famous dowdy or family pie ; may be made into excellent
dumplings, sliced into puddings, boiled in rice, &c.; are fine
roasted or baked : and the aiyple butter made from this fruit
in the Valley of Virginia, East Tennessee, and in some of the
Northern States is a delightful dish for any season. Dried
apples keep well, and are a valuable article of trade.

As to the medical qualities of apples, consumptive persons
have been greatly relieved, and even permanently cured b}" the
persistent and regular use of this fruit in some form or other.

Apples serve as an excellent fruit for the deseit, the kitchen
and for making cider, brandy and vinegar ; and stock of almost
every kind thrive and fatten, when allowed free use of this
most valuable of all fruits.

Concerning the physical properties of apples, it deserves
to be stated, that besides their aromatic qualities, they are
wholesome and laxative, when fully ripe. In diseases of the
breast, such as catarrhs, coughs, asthmas, &c., they
are of considerable service ; for beneficial purposes, how-
ever, they ought not to be eaten raw, but either roasted, or
stewed, or boiled ; they also may be usefully employed in de-
coctions, which if drank plentifully tend to abate febrile heat,
as well as to relieve pectoral complaints. The author has
himself found the use of ripe Apples and Peaches, both cooked
and raw, a most admiiable, convenient and palatable regulator
of the bowels, and by their use has been happily relieved of
chronic diarrhoea.

In treating of the general properties, as well as the relative
salubrity of fruit, we shall in this place, only add, that the
injudicious practice of promiscuously allowing it, whether
ripe or unripe, to children and infants is very reprehensible,
though their liberal use, when fully ripe, is rarely followed by
any injury. On account of its acidity, they are not able to
bear it in excess ; and their digestive powers become too
frequently impaired at the expense of other secretions; such

ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 19

as insensible perspiration, and the discharges by stool, both of
which are thus unnaturally promoted.

All fruit given to children should be given perfectly ripe.
Mothers and nurses should likewise bestoAv especial attention
to the cleanliness of the peels, which as they generally pas3
through different hands, or ma}' have been stored in improper
places, require to be previously wiped or washed.

With regard to their sensible properties, apples have been
divided into spicy, acidulated and watery. To the first class
belong the various species of rennet, which possesses a most
delicate flavor, contain the least proportion of water, and on
account of their vinous nature, are not apt to excite flatu-
lency. Pippins, on the contrary, though aff"ording more nu-
triment than the former, are more fibrous, and consequently
require a more vigorous stomach to digest them ; hence they
may be ranked under the second class. Lastly, those sweet
and tender apples which are very juicy and palatable are the
least fit to be eaten in a raw state, unless with the addition of
bread or biscuit. When baked or dried in the open air, they
make an excellent substitute for raisins or plums, in puddings,
pies and other dishes prepared of flour.

Sour apples may be much improved both in taste and
quality, by either baking, or digesting them in a close vessel
by steam over a slow fire ; thus the saccharine principle is dis-
engaged, and they undergo a speedy and complete change.

While very young, no tree should be suffered to bear a full
crop of fruit ; and if they abound with blossoms, the fruit
should be gathered as soon as formed ; leaving only half a
dozen of the produce, to ascertain the size and quality. By
this measuie, the trees will not only produce larger and finer
fruit, but by being kept clear, the leading and collaterat
branches will every year become more vigorous. Nor owght
any young plant or newly engrafted tree to be permitted to run
mop-headed, as it will make no progress till each branch has
acquired a determined leader, for, if the growth of a tree
be prevented, it will be extremely difficult to throw such
energy into the system, as to enable it to grow freely.

All vegetables in respect to their propagation are vivipanis or

20 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE.

oviparus. The live progeny of vegetables consist of their buds,
which rise on their branches in the bosom of each leaf, or on its
long caudex extending down the bark of the trees, or which
rise on the bulbs, knobs, wires, or scions, from the broad cau-
dex on the roots of herbaceous plants. The egg progeny of
vegetables consist in their seeds with the previous apparatus
of the flower, and concomitant nutriment in the fruit and
cotyledons."

Fruit trees are sometimes attacked by a disease called
*' crab," especially after transplanting them from the nursery :
it destroys particularly the inner bark, by reducing it to a
blackish powder, not unlike the smut in wheat.

Various conjectures have been formed as to the origin of
this disorder which is often very destructive, especially to apple
and pear trees ; but none appear to us to be satisfactory. It
is, however, very probable that it arises from the inattention
of the gardener or orchardist, when transplanting young trees,
by placing the Northern side of the trunk towards the South ;
where the powerful rays of the sun parch, and in a manner
burn the tender bark which was grown on the north side.
This change of situation to a different point of the compass
may account for the disease, and the suspicion is somewhat
confirmed by the circumstance, that the disease generally
makes its first appearance on the south sides. It may
also originate from injuries done to the tree, such as blows,
scratches, &c. The remedy for trees thus affected will appear
in its proper place.

Linnaeus considers the apple and the quince as a species of
the pear tree, or Pyrus, all the varieties of which are hardy
and will succeed in any common garden soil, if planted in a
free situation ; they are propagated by grafting and budding
upon any pear stock, occasionally upon quince, and sometimes
upon white thorn stocks.

Apples of any kind maybe reared in the manner above
prescribed, and according to Dr. Anderson, the pure paradise
stock is the best graft. They will not thrive, however, in a
very low and moist soil, but a rich friable loam is best adapt-
ed to their health and rapid growth.

ORIGIN OF- THE APPLE TREE. 21

Mr. Forsyth in his treatise on fruit says : I have in nu-
merous instances seen the stock have great influence on the
fruit grafted thereon, in respect to bearing, size and flavor ;
and also, on the durability of the tree, particularly in the
instance of a number of Yandevere apple trees, the fruit of
which was so subject to the bitter rot as to be of little use.
They were engrafted fifty years ago, and ever since, those of
them having tops composed of several difl"erent kinds, though
they continue to be more productive of fruit than any other
in my orchard, yet are subject to the bitter rot, the original
and well known aff'ection of the fruit of the original stock.

Experience has fully proven that, although seedlings from
apples will scarcely ever produce fruit exactly similar to the
original, yet some of them will produce excellent fruit. Some
will even be superior to the apples from which the seeds were
taken. This fact shows that seeds planted from trees of a
strong and rapid growth, and largest and best fruit, should
be allowed to bear fruit before grafting, as they will seldom
fail to bear good fruit, or at any rate, fruit of some good
quality.

In reference to the latent powers of man and the soil, says
a modern writer, " A kmd providence has given man moral,
mental and physical powers according to the circumstances of
his existence, and placed him upon the earth, containing
productive resources sufiicient to maintain that existence.
Within both are dormant energies requiring development and
invigoration, for which man alone is responsible." It has
been well said that he who makes one blade of grass grow
where none grew before is a public benefactor. If so, how
much greater is he that makes one healthy vigorous apple or
peach tree bud, bloom and bend with its luscious load of
grateful, health-giving fruit, where none grew before. In
doing this work he finds the occupation pleasant, the time
well spent, home made more attractive and pleasant, and all,
with very little expenditure of money.

Trees are divided into two principal classes, namelj, fruit and
timber trees. The growth of trees is a subject of conside-
rable importance ; and as to fruit trees, but few accurate ex-

22 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE.

periments have been made, in order to ascertain their annual
increase in height and bulk, and this would seem to be a dif-
ficult job, as so much depends on care and culture. In the
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society for 1788,
Mr. Barker states, as the result of his observations, that oak
and ash trees grow nearly in equal proportions, increasing 1,
or IJ inches every year. He remarks that when the annual
growth amounts to 1 inch in height, a coat one-sixth of an
inch in thickness will accrue to the tree.

The health and vegetation of trees may be greatly pro-
moted by scraping them ; by cutting away the cankered parts,
and by washing their stems, at least once a year in the months of
February or March, (and later in the Spring.) Hence Mr. For-
syth, (English author) in his ingenious treatise on " the Culture
and Management of Fruit Trees," recommends fresh cow-duna;
mixed with urine and soap suds; and the composition to be applied
to the stems and branches of fruit, forest or timber trees in the
same manner as the ceilings of rooms are white-washed. This
operation, he observes, will not only destroy the eggs of in-
sects, that are hatched during the Spring and Summer, but
also prevents the growth of moss, and if it be repeated in
Autumn, after the fall of the leaves, it will kill the eggs of
those numerous insects, which are hatched during that season
and Winter ; thus contributing to nourish the tree, and to pre-
serve its bark in a fine and healthy state.

In common with other objects of vegetable creation, trees
are liable to a variety of diseases, which, if not timely attend-
ed to, eventually destroy them. We shall in this place in-
troduce a concise account of Mr. Forsyth's improved method
of curing injuries or defects in either fruit or forest trees.

Mr. F. directs all the decayed, hollow, loose, rotten, injured,
diseased and dead parts to be cut away, 'till the knife extend
to the sound or solid wood, so as to leave the surface per-
fectly smooth ; then, to one hundred gallons of human urine,
and one bushel of lime, add cow-dung sufficient to bring it to
the consistence of paint.

Afterv having carefully brushed oif all the moss, the infected
trees should be anointed with this mixture, about the latter

ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 2B

end of March ; which simple precaution it is said, fully an-
swers the desired effect. The quantity of the composition
may be made up to correspond with the quantity required for
the trees to be anointed and made to the consistence of thick
paint, and it should be laid on with a painter's brush to the
thickness of one-eighth of an inch and the edges finished off
as thin as possible. Next, five parts of dry pulverized wood-
ashes should be mixed with one part of bone dust or ashes,
and then put into a tin box, the top of which is perforated
with holes ; the powder must be sprinkled over the surface of
the composition, being suffered to remain half an hour for
absorbing the moisture, when an additional portion of the
powder should be gently applied with the hand, till the whole
plaster acquire a smooth surface. As the edges of such ex-
cisions grow up, care should be taken, that the new wood
should not come in contact with the decayed', for which pur-
pose, it will be advisable to cut out the latter, in proportion as
the former advances ; a hollow space being left between both,
in order that the newly grown wood may have sufficient room
to extend, and fill up the vacancy, so that it in a manner forms
a new tree. By this process old and decayed trees have in
the second Summer after its application, produced fruit of the
best quality and finest flavor ; nay, in the course of four or
five years, they yielded such abundant crops, as young trees
could not have borne in 15 or 20 years. By such treatment,
likewise, large aged elm-trees, all the parts of which were
broken, having only a small portion of the bark left on the
trunk, shot forth stems from their tops, to the height of
above thirty feet, within six or seven years after the compo-
sition had been applied.

Thus it appears, that both forest and fruit trees may be
renovated and preserved in a flourishing state ; while the lat-
ter may be rendered more fruitful than at any former period.
We regret that our limits confine us to the present short ac-
count, and refer the reader to Mr. Forsyth's treatise above
cited; which is illustrated with thirteen beautiful engravings.

Under the articles fruit, fruit trees, orchards, &c., some ob-
servations on these subjects will be given in the course of this

24 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE.

work, from the treatise of the ingenious Mr. Bucknal, and,
on the present occasion, we will introduce some highly impor-
tant remarks by the same valuable and practical writer.

ENGRAFTED FRUITS.

" Some friends have requested that I would introduce another
paper on the nature of the valuable varieties of engrafted
fruits, as they are of opinion that the essay in the 17th vol. of
the Transactions of the Society h not sufficiently extended for
a subject so important to fruit growers, and those interested
in the production of fruits. As a proof of my willingness to
make the orchardist as perfect as I can, I beg you to present
my compliments to the Society, with the following elucidations.

" This is a subject in rural economy which ought to be
much better understood than it is, in order to enable the
planters to judge of the sorts proper to be planted, as an
article of pleasure, profit, or recreation, as much of the credit
of the plantation must arise from judiciously choosing trees
of the best, new, or middle aged sorts, and not of the old worn-
out varieties, which latter cannot, in the planting of orchards
in common situations, ever form valuable trees, and must end
in the disappointment of the planter.

" Engrafted fruits I have before said, and I now repeat,
are not permanent. Every one of the least reflection must
see that there is an essential difference bet\\een the power and
energy of a seedling plant, and the tree which is to be raised
from cuttings or elongations. The seedling is endowed with
the energies of nature, while the graft or scion is nothing
more than a regular elongation, carried, perhaps, through the
several repeatings of the same variety ; whereas the seed
from having been placed in the earth, germinates and be-
comes a new plant, wherever nature permits like to produce
like in vegetation ; as in the oak, beach, and other mast-bear-
ing trees. These latter trees, from each passing through the
state of seedlings, are perfectly continued, and endued with
the functions of forming perfect seeds for raising other plants
by evolution, to the continuance of the like species.

"This is not the case with engrafted fruits. They are

ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 25

doomed by nature to continue for a time, and then gradually
to decline, till at last the variety is totally lost and soon for-
gotten, unless recorded by tradition or in old publications.

"Reason, with which Providence has most bountifully blest
some of our species, has enabled us, when we find a superior
variety, to engraft it on a seedling or wilding stock, or to
raise plants from layers or cuttings, or even to raise the roots,
and thus to multiply our sources of comfort and pleasure.
This, however, does not imply that the multiplication of the
same variety, for it is no more, should last forever, unless the
species will naturally arise from seed.

"Nature, in her teaching, speaks in very intelligible lan-
guage, which language is conveyed by experience and obser-
vation. Thus we see that among promiscuous seeds of fruits
of the same sort, one or more arise, whose fruits should be
found to possess a value far superior to the rest in many dis-
tinguishable properties. From experience, also, we have ob-
tained the power, by engrafting, of increasing the number of
this newly-acquired tree; can change its country, give it to a
friend, send it beyond the seas, or fill a kingdom with the
fruit, if the natives are disposed so to do. Thus we seem to
have a kind of creative power in our own hands.

"From the attention lately paid to the culture of engrafted
fruits, I hope we are now enabled to continue a supposed hap-
pily acquired tree, when we can find it, for a much longer
duration than if such variety had been left in the state of
unassisted nature; perhaps I may say for a duration as long
again, or something more. After these sanguine expectations,
I may reasonably be asked, to what does all this amount? for
here there is no direct permanency, .... and why? The
why is very obvious, .... because the kernels within the
fruit, which are the seed of the plants for forming the next
generation of trees, will not produce their like. I will allow
they will do so accidentally, but nothing more can be de-
pended on.

"For example, suppose we take ten kernels or pips of any
apple raised on an engrafted stock: sow them, and they will
produce ten different varieties, no two of which will be alike;

26 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE.

nor will either of them closely resemble the fruit from whence
the seeds were collected/ The leaves also of those trees, raised
from the same pri mo-genus or parent stock, will not actually
be a copy of the leaves of any one of the varieties or family
to which each is connected by a vegetable consanguinity. I
intentionally used the word actually^ because a resemblance
may be found, though not much of that is to be expected.

" I beg that what has been last mentioned may not be taken
as a discouragement to attempts for raising new varieties. I
was obliged to speak very strongly, in order to place the cul-
ture upon its true foundation. I think it need not be ob-
served, that there is no acquiring a new variety hut through
the means of a seedling plant ; and, therefore, whoever wishes
to succeed must attempt that way, or wait till others in their
plantations may more fortunately produce it.

"In choosing seeds, that apple is most likely to produce
the clearest and finest plants whose kernels are firm, large
and well ripened. The size of the fruit is not to be regarded;
for large apples do not always ripen their fruit well, or rather
for cider, the small fruits are generally preferred for making
the strongest, highest-flavored liquor. And from what I have
been able to collect in the cider-countries, it is there the opin-
ion that an apple something above the improved crab promises
the best success This advantage also attends the prac-
tice: if there are no valuable apples raised from that attempt,
these wildings will make excellent stocks to graft upon.

"Gentlemen who actually employ themselves in attempting
to acquire new varieties, should remember that they ought to
select all the sets, from the bed of apple-quick, whose
appearance is in the least degree promising, and plant
them together; at such a distance as to allow each to
produce its fruit, which will happen in a very few years.
My friend, Mr. Knight, who undoubtedly is the first
in actual exertions for procuring these happily acquired
new varieties, has had two plants bear fruit at six years and
one at five. (In Virginia, apple trees will bear considerable
crops at that age.) The cider districts have off'ered several
premiums for securing new varieties, and some with good effect.
Premiums have been given both to Mr. Knight and Mr. Alban.

ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 27

"When the new variety is to be raised from a valuable
admired apple, I would recommend the placing these seeds in
a garden pot, filled with mould from an old melon bed; car-
rying the pot into a retired situation near the water, and giv-
ing attention to rear the plants to as large a size as is conve-
nient within eighteen months. With this view, the pot should
be placed in the green-house the first winter, or in a sheltered
position ; and, when the plants are afterwards to be set out in
the spots, they should not be placed under the drip of trees,
or much exposed to the winds.

" Two instances have been mentioned, the improved crab,
and most admired apple; but prudence says, try all sorts,
and something probably will arise; and the process is attended
with little trouble or expense to a person who constantly re-
sides in the country; yet, after all this scientific care, the ap-
ple may want flavor, and be in other respects nothing better
than a common wilding.

" It is an undoubted fact, and worthy of observation, that
all the different trees of the same variety have a wonderful
tendency to similarity of appearance among themselves ; and
that the parent stock, and all engrafted from it, have a far
greater resemblance to each other than can be found in any
part of the animal creation ; and this habit does not vary to
any extent of age.

" As an encouragement in attempting to increase the num-
ber of new and valuable fruits, we can prove that the Golden
Pippin is native English. The Red Streak, a seedling of Here-
fordshire, if not raised, yet was first brought into notice by
Lord Scudamore, and was for a long time called Scudamores
crah. The Stire apple was accidentally raised in the forest of
Dean, in Gloucestershire, and took the name of Forest Stire.
The cider made from this ap'ple was the strongest the country
ever produced, according to any living record. The Hagloe-
crab, the best cider fruit now remaining, was discovered in
the parish of Ecloe, on the banks of the Severn, and about
sixty or seventy years ago; many sciors were taken from this
tree by Mr. Belamy, and engrafted on seedling stocks about
Ross. These are now grown old ; and to ascertain the age

28 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE.

of the variety, I went with Charles Edwin. Esq., to Eclose,
in hopes of seeing the primo-genus of this family. The
proprietor of the estate acquainted Mr. Edwin that it had
ceased to bear, years ago, and was cut down. Those at Ross
are but poor bearers now, and I shall suppose the variety must be
one hundred and forty years old, though Marshal who wrote in the
year 1786, mentions these trees were prolific, and he supposes
the sort to be about 80 years old ; but from present expe-
rience, it must be much more. The Tinton Squash Pear is
of Gloucestershire ; the Barland and Old-field were near Led-
bury, Herefordshire. The two last pears clearly bear the
names of the two fields where they were raised. The Bar-
land fell about six years ago, visibly from weight and lon-
gevity, which was supposed to have been about 200 years. There
have been many other names of estimation handed down to
us, though the realities are now totally worn out, and have
ceased to exist. Can any better proof be desired, that en-
grafted fruits are not permanent, than the regret we feel for
the loss of these old valuable fruits.

" To making my paper short as convenient, I have dwelt
only on the apple ; yet all the engrafted fruits are under
the same predicament of the seed not producing its like, and
the offspring in time falling into nothingness of growth, and
bearing, though that space of time must certainly depend on
the natural longevity and hardiness of the sort, soil, position,
care, &c. All these are more fully expressed in the papers
published in the different volumes of the transactions of this
Society, and the two volumes of the Orchardist, wherein the
whole system is extended, to form a rational culture for the
management of standard fruits.

" It should be remembered, that, as I am now alluding to
the state of actual permanency, fifty years are to be counted
as nothing ; and, as often as we come to that point, we are
compelled to resort to our first assertion : ^' That engrafted
fruits are not permanent, they being continued from elonga-
tions, and not raised as a repetition of seeds. This is the
only rational way, as yet introduced, of accounting for the
loss of the valuable, old varieties of fruits. Should a better

ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 29

system be introduced, I shall readily adopt it : but this suffi-
ciently answers the purposes of the planter.

" Some years ago, from due investigation and thorough
conviction, I propagated this principle, and it was published
in the 17th vol. of the Society's Transactions, in the follow-
ing words : " All the grafts taken from this first tree, or
parent stock, or any of the descendants, will for some gene-
rations thrive; but when this first stock shall, by mere dint of old
age, fall into actual decay, a nihility of vegetation . . . the de-
cendants, however young, or in whatever situation they may
be, will gradually decline, and from that time, it would be
imprudent, in point of profit, to attempt propagating that
variety from any of them. This is the dogma which must
be received. I do not expect a direct assent, neither do I
wish it; for it should be taken with much reserve; but it is
undoubtedly true." These considerations should stimulate
us in searching after new varieties, equal, or perhaps superior,
to those of which we regret the loss.

" Observe that from the time the kernel germinates for
apple quick, should the plant be disposed to form a valuable
variety, there will appear a regular progressive change, or
improvement, in the organization of the leaves, until that
variety has stood, and grown sufficient to blossom and come
into full bearing ; that is, from the state of infancy to maturity;
and it is this and other circumstances, by which the inquisitive
eye is enabled to form the selection among those appearing likely
to become valuable fruits. (We would also remark that all young
trees, when disposed to be valuable, in addition to the luxu-
riance exhibited in the leaves, buds and free growth, have soft,
tender wood, offering little resistance to the pruning-knife,
whilst the knife is apt to lose its keen edge when applied to
seedlings of slow growth.) But from the time that the new
variety or selected plant, compared with all the engraftments
which may be taken from it or any of them, these shall show
a most undeviating sameness among themselves.

" It is readily allowed, that the different varieties of fruits
are easily distinguished from each other by many particulars,
not only respecting their general fertility, and the form, size,

30 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE.

shape and flavor of the fruit; but also the manner of the
growth of the tree, the thickness and proportion of the twigs,
their shooting from their parent stem, the form, color and con-
sistence of the leaf, and many other circumstances by which
the variety can be identified ; and where it is possible to
engraft each variety upon the same stock, they w^ould still
retain their discriminating qualities, with the most undevia-
ting certainty.

" The proper conclusion to be drawn from the statement in
the last paragraph, is this, that were any to put the thought
in practice, on a full grown, hardy or crab stock, it would
produce an excellent proof that engrafted fruits are not perma-
nent. For if twenty different varieties were placed together,
so that each might receive its nurture from the same stem,
they would gradually die off in actual succession, according to
the age or state of health of the respective variety, at the
time the scions were placed in the stock ; and a discriminating
eye, used to this business, would nearly be able to foretell the
order in which each scion would actually decline. Should it
also happen that two or three suckers from the wilding stock
had been permitted to grow among the twenty grafts^ such
suckers or wilding shoots will continue and make a tree after
all the rest are gone. A further consequence would result
from the experiment : among such a number of varieties,
each of the free growers would starve the delicate, and drive
them out of existence, only so much the sooner. It must be
observed, that this supposed stem is the foster-parent to the
twenty scions, and real parent to the suckers ; and those the
least conversant with engrafted fruits know the advantage ac-
quired from this circumstance. And here it is worth while re-
marking, that a Gascoyne or wild cherry, will grow twice the
size that ever an engrafted cherry did.

" By an experiment we have had in hand for five years, it
will appear that the roots and stem of a large tree, after the
first set of scions are exhausted or worn out, may carry another
set for many years; and we suspect a third set, provided
the engrafting is properly done and the engrafter chooses a
new variety. Now the Ribstone Pippin of Yorkshire, is the

ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE. 31

favorite, as being a free grower and good bearer, with fine
fruit. This, however, may be certainly depended on, that
when a new apple is raised from seed, if a scion were placed
in a retired situation, and constantly cut down, as a stool in a
copse-wood, and the apple never suffered to fulfil the intention
of nature in bearing fruit, the practitioners of the following
ages may secure scions from that stool, to continue the variety
much longer. Hence, though I have written as much as is in
my power against permanency, yet I have taken some pains to
assure the planters, that forecast, selection, pruning, cleanli-
ness, and care, will make the orchards turn to more profit for
the. rising generations, than what they have done for the last
hundred years.

" To place the nature of varieties in its true light, for the
information of the public, I must maintain, that the different
varieties of the apple will, after a certain time, decline, and
actually die away, and each variety, or all of the name stem
or family, will lose their existence in vegetation ; and yet it
is a well known fact, mentioned in the 17th vol. of the Trans-
actions^ that after the debility of age has actually taken pos-
session of any variety, it will yet thrive by being placed
agains. a southern wall and treated as a wall fruit. Who,
however, can afford to raise cider at that expense as a matter of
curiosity, to prove, that when the vital principle in vegetation
is nearly exhausted, a superior care and warmth will still
keep the variety in existence sometime longer ?

" It should be understood that the external air of Britain is
rather too cool for the delicate fruits, which is the reason why
in the Orehardist, I lay such a stress in procuring warmth of the
trees, by draining^ shelter and manure. It would now be lost
time to attempt to recover the old varieties as an article of
profit.

"If I have not expressed myself in this essay on the nature of
varieties^ with as much clearness and conviction as might have
been expected, it should be considered, that it is an abstruse
subject, very little understood, and requiring at first some
degree of faith, observation^ and perseverance. The prejudi-
ces of mankind revolt against it. They are not disposed to

32 ORIGIN OF THE APPLE TREE.

allow the distinction of nature ; and they imagine, that, in the
act of engrafting or multiplying, they give new life ; whereas
they are only continuing the existence of the same tree, stick or
bud. Observe what I said before ; the seed of the apple,
when placed in the earth, germinates, and unfolds itself into
a new plant, which successively passes through the stages of
infancy, maturity and decay, like its predecessors. I might
say all created nature is similar in this respect ; though from
the circumstance that varieties are much longer lived than
man, the plants have appeared to be possessed of eternal
powers of duration ; nothing sublunary, however, which pos-
sesses either animal or vegetable life, is exempt from age
and death.

" Within the last tw^enty years I have travelled many hun-
dred miles, and conversed with the most intelligent men in each
country ; and I now want to convince mankind for no other
reason than because it is their interest so to believe, that
there is in creation an order of beings (engrafted fruits) so
formed, that we have the power of multiplying a single vari-
ety, to what number of trees we please ; that the first sets
arise from a small seed ; that the next and descendant sets
are propagated by engraftings or from cuttings, layers, &c. ;
and, although these trees may amount to millions, yet, on the
death of the primo-genus or parent stock, merely from old
age, or nihility of growth, each individual shall decline, in
whatever country they may be, or however endued with youth
and health. I say they shall gradually begin to decline ; and
in the course of time, or of centuries, to those who would
prefer that expression, the ^vhole variety will scarcely have a
single tree remaining to show what the fruit was. Let those
who are not disposed to assent to the statement, ask them-
selves what has become of the old lost varieties ? did they die,
or did malicious men cut them up ?

" I, who am firmly convinced of the truth of what I have
advanced on this subject, have no doubt but that the same
would happen by engrafting on the oak or beach, if the mast
raised from the engrafted tree did not produce the like ; for
there the question turns.

ORIGIX OF THE APPLE TREE. 33

'' Is it not known that the woodman, in setting out his sap-
ling oaks, always selects new seedling plants, and never con-
tinues one upon an old stool ; and, if he should so blunder, that
tree, from the stool will never have freedom of growth,
nor the size or firmness of timber equal to the new raised
plant.

" I wish I could persuade my friends, that with the same
attention with which the woodman acts, the planter is to raise
his orchard from the young fruits which thrive in the neigh-
borhood, or are in health and full bearing in the country
from whence they are to be brought.

" The fruit grower should look to selection, cleanliness and
care. To me it is a circumstance perfectly indifferent, whether
he is to use Mr. Forsyth's composition or Mr. Billingham's
boiled linseed oil, or my medication. I only maintain that
the wounded parts of trees want something to destroy the
insects and vermin, and heal the wood, from which the trees
are kept in health.

" Let those who are blessed with fruit plantations, attend to
their preservation, and not leave them to the state of unas-
sisted nature."

PROPAGATIOiY OF FRUITS.

Propagation, in general, signifies the act of multiplying
the kind or species ; but, in this place, we propose to treat
only of vegetable nature.

Beside the usual modes adopted by the gardeners and agri-
culturists of propagating trees, shrubs, &c., there are tvro other
methods of multiplying plants, in a manner equally novel and
surprising.

1st. Planting the Leaves was accidentally discovered
by J. F. Henry, a German, who died at Augsburg, in 1726.
He reared many large trees, by setting healthy leaves in flower-
pots containing sifted garden mould, so that one third of the
leaf was covered with earth. Over tliese pots he suspended
vessels filled with water, which gradually dropped upon the
small plants beneath ; thus, the young stems began to strike
root and grow like those reared from kernels.

2nd. By Covering Horizontal Sprigs, or Branches with
Moss. — This ingenious method of multiplying plants was an-
nounced by J. C. Wendland, an eminent gardener in Germany,
who described it for the benefit of the public nearly in the
following words :

" Such shrubs as cannot conveniently be propagated by
seeds, sets or by layers, may be easily multiplied, especially
if they have young branches near their roots. For this
purpose, the earth around the stem ought to be previously
loosened, elevated, and made nearly level with the lowermost
sprouts : these should next be laid on the ground horizontally,
(without cutting or breaking them,) then fasten with small
wooden hooks ; covered with moss; and frei^ueiitly watered,
so that the latter may closely attach itself around the branches.
Tiie operation may be performed either in the Spring or
Autumn ; if in the former season, the moss should never be
suffered to become dry ; if in the latter, it must be covered
with straw to protect the layers from the effects of frost."

PROPAGATION OF FRUITS. 35

When the moisture has softened the rind of the sprouts,
young roots will strike through the moss into the soil, and
numerous plants may thus be obtained in the course of one
Summer sufficiently vigorous to be removed to the nursery.
No biennial parent-branches, however, need be employed ; as
these will produce new saplings only in the second year.

PROPAGATION BY SEEDS.

Propagation by seeds is the natural and easiest way to
rear trees and most other vegetable productions ; but few spe-
cies of fruit trees, however, will produce the same variety and
quality from the seeds or kernels, and the greater part ^y\ \
prove very inferior and crabbed fruit: some, notwithstandiig^
will be very good, and a few may equal the parent in every res-
pect, and bear a general resemblance in growth, foliage, &c.
There are a few varieties of peaches, however, that may be
reared from the kernels, with most undeviating sameness,
especially the different varieties of the Heath. Propagation
by layers or cuttings is not, and cannot well be practiced in
rearing the Apple or Peach and the various modes of budding
and grafting are resorted to for that purpose.

PROPAGATION BY BUDDING OR INOCULATION.

Bud, in botany, is the embryo or rudiment of a plant,
growing on stems and branches of trees, and covered with
scales, or with a resinous varnish, to protect it from the winter
cold, and from the depredations of insects. Buds proceed
from the extremities of the young shoots, and along the
branches, sometimes single, sometimes two by two, either
opposite or alternate, and sometimes collected in greater num-
bers. In general we may distinguish three kinds of buds ;
the leaf-bud, the flower-bud, and that containing both in one
covering. The first species contains the rudiments of several
leaves, which are variously folded over each other, and sur-
rounded by scales. The second species or flower bud, con-
tains the rudiments of one or several flowers, folded and cov-
ered in a similar manner. This is called the eye of the bud.

'■86 PROPAGATION OF FRUITS.

The third sort, which is the most common of any, produces
both flowers and leaves. Buds, together with bulbs, which
are a species of buds generally seated on or near the root, are
termed hihernacula, a term signifying the winter quarters
of the embryon shoot.

As plants are supposed to bear a striking analogy to ani-
mals, they may not improperly be reckoned both viviparous
and oviparous; in which view seeds may be considered as
vegetable eggs, buds as living foetuses for infant plants, which
renew the species as certainly as the seed.

As each bud contains in itself the rudiments of a plant,
and would, if separated from its parent vegetable, become in
all respects similar to it, Linnceus, to shew the wonderful
fertility of nature, has made a calculation, from which it ap-
pears that in a trunk scarce exceeding a span in breadth, no
less than ten thousand buds may be produced. How great,
then, must be the number of plants which are capable of being
raised from one large tree ?

The flower-buds of many trees, says Dr. Darwin, arise
immediately from the terminating shoots or spurs of the pre-
ceding year, and are either accompanied with leaf-buds, or
separately, as in apple and pear trees. Others proceed from
the shoots of the present year, alternately with leaf-buds, as
those of vines, and form the third or fourth of the new shoots.
They difl*er from the leaf-buds, because they perish when
their seeds are ripe without producing any addition to the
tree; the leaf-buds, on the contrary, decay in autumn, and
their condexes are then gradually converted into alburnum or
sap-wood, over which the new leaf-buds shoot forth their con-
dexes and radicles, or insert them into it, and gradually fab-
ricate the new bark and root fibres.

Leaves, in botany, are defined to be the organs of motion,
or muscles of a plant : they constitute the lungs of each in-
dividual plant.

Budding is a mode of propagation not only applicable to
fruit trees, but to ornamental trees and shrubs, including the
rose, and there are some fruits that can scarcely be multiplied
any other way. It consists in removing a bud with a portion

PROPAGATION OF FRUITS. 3T

of the bark from a tree and inserting it in a slit of the bark
of another tree. The season for performing this operation is
July and August, or September will answer for peaches, and
is early enough for most Southern latitudes, when the buds
destined for the following year are completely formed in the
axils of the leaves, and when the portion of the bark parts freely
from the wood beneath ; the buds to be preferred being those
on the middle of the shoot. There are many forms of bud-
ding, but that which is the simplest and most easily performed
need alone be described or practiced.

The buds upon the last year's growth will produce young
shoots, while those of the second year's growth are apt to be
blossom-buds, and will not make twigs.

Budding is regarded as a modification of grafting, and is
performed while the stock is in vigorous growth.

Mode. — " The operator should be provided with a budding-
knife, in which the cutting-edge of the blade is rounded off at
the point, and having a thin ivory or bone handle, like a paper
folder, for raising the bark of the stock. A horizontal or
transverse incision is made in the bark, quite down to the
wood, and from this incision a perpendicular slit is drawn
downward to the extent of perhaps an inch. The slit has
now the resemblance of the letter T; a bud is then made
ready, or is cut from the tree that is wished to be propagated,
having a portion of the wood attached to it, so that the whole
may be an inch and a half long. The bit of wood is then
gently withdrawn, care being taken that the bud adhere
wholly to the bark or shield., as it is called. The bark on each
side of the perpendicular slit being cautiously opened with
the handle of the knife, the bud and shield are inserted ; the
upper tip of the shield being cut off horizontally, and brought
neatly to fit the bark of the stock at the transverse incision.
Slight ties of moistened bass or candlewick are then applied,
and in about a month or six weeks these ligatures may be
removed, when, if the operation has been successful, the bud
will be fresh and full, and the shield firmly united to the wood ;
the next Spring a strong shoot is thrown out from this bud,
and to this the stock is headed down in the course of the Summer.

38 PROPAGATION OF FRUITS.

The stock (the next spring as the buds begin to
unfold, up to the time the leaves are half-grown)
should be cut off to within two or three inches of
the bud, and, when the bud has grown up some
inches and inclines from the stock, tie it to the
stump. All sprouts must be kept off, and in the
early part of July, in this latitude, cut off the
stump even with the budded stock or sprout that
has grown up, as at a. See cut.

PROPAGATION BY GRAFTING.

In gardening, the term Grafting {G-reffer, Fr.) signifies the
taking a shoot from one tree and inserting it into another, so
that they may closely unite and become one trunk — the graft
bearing its own fruit, being sustained and nourished by the
sap of the stock or tree into which it has been inserted. When
thus united, the shoot, branch, or scion, determines the kind of
fruit.

Grafting has been practiced from the most remote antiquity ;
but its origin and invention are differently related by natu-
ralists. The great aim of this useful art is, to propagate val-
uable and curious sorts of fruit trees ; to insure the growth of
similar kinds, which cannot be effected by any other method :
for, as all the good species of fruit have been accidentally ob-
tained from seeds, many of these, wh(^n sown, will degenerate
and produce bad fruit. But when shoots are taken from such
trees as bear good fruit, they will never change their kind,
whatever be their stock or the tree on which they are grafted.

Mr. Bradley observes, "that the stock grafted on is only to
be considered as a fund of vegetable matter which is to be
filtered through the scion, digested, and brought to maturity,
as the time of growth in the vessels of the scion directs." A
scion, therefore, of one kind grafted on the tree of another
may be rather said to take root in the tree on which it is
grafted, than to unite with it; for it is obvious that the scion
preserves its natural purity, though it be nourished and fed
by a mere crab.

PROPAGATION OF FRUITS. 39

The experience of Mr. J. Cooper, of New Jersey, is op-
posed to this generally adopted theory. He says, " experience
for more than fifty years has convinced me that, although
seedlings from apples will scarcely ever produce fruit exactly
similar to the original, yet many of them will produce excel-
lent fruit : some Avill even be superior to the apples from which
the seeds were taken. This fact has led me to plant seeds
from the largest and best kind of fruit, and from trees of a
strong and rapid growth ; and to let all young trees bear fruit
before grafting, which produced an uncommon, strong shoot, or
large, rich-looking leaf. .... I have seldom known them fail
of bearing fruit having some good quality ; at all events, they
make a stock to put any good kind on, which may afterwards
present itself."

In grafting or budding apple trees, it is best to perform the
operation within or near the earth, of such kinds as produce
an erect, strong stem ; but on such kinds as incline horizon-
tally, or on small, weak shoots, the preferable models, to insert
the bud or graft high enough to form a top.

" I have, in numerous instances, seen the stock have great
influence on the fruit gyxifted thereon in respect to bearing,
size, and flavor ; and also on the durability of the tree, par-
ticularly in the instance of a number of Vandevere apple trees,
the fruit of which was so subject to the bitter rot as to be of
little use. They were engrafted fifty years ago, and ever
since, those of them having tops composed of several different
kinds, though they continue to be more productive of fruit
than any others in my orchard, yet are subject to bitter
rot, the original and well known affection of the fruit of the
the primitive stock. I have had frequent opportunities of ob-
serving the same circumstance, in consequence of receiving
many scions from my friends, which, after bearing, I have en-
grafted, and the succeeding fruit uniformly partook, in some
degree, of the qualities of the former, even in their disposition
to bear annually or biennially."

The grafts or scions with which the operation of grafting is
effected should be of the last Summer's growth, from the out-
side bi*anches, firm and well-ripened, and selected from healthy,

40 PROPAGATIOX OF FRUITS.

vigorous trees. The graft is always the Qniddle part of each
shoot, cut to five or six inches in length, or so as to have four
or five good eyes, or buds, but should be preserved at full
length till grafting time.

The proper tools and other materials used in grafting are :
1st. A strong knife for cutting off the heads of the stocks
previous to the insertion of the graft; also a small /we toothed
hand-saw in good order, for occasional use, for cutting ofi" the
heads of large stocks. 2. A common grafting-knife, or sharp,
strong pocket-knife, for cutting and shaping the grafts ready
for insertion ; also to slope and form the stocks ready for the
reception of the scions. 3. A flat grafting firmer or chisel,
with sloping basils, and small mallet for cleftiiig large stocks.

4. A quantity of new bass strings, candlewick or other pliable
stuff for bandages for securing the grafts when placed above
the earth, and promoting their speedy union with the stock.

5. A quantity of clay for applying closely round the grafts
after their insertion and binding, to defend the parts from the
influence of the sun, winds, and wet weather (this plaster is
applied to grafts at the surface of the earth). According to
Mr. C. P. Ilenolds, of Rochester, N. Y., a very good wax for
grafting may be made with two pounds of resin, one pound of
beeswax, and one pound of tallow. They should be melted
together, poured into a tub of cold water, and worked with
the hands, until soft and pliable, and as light colored as pos-
sible, as dark wax is more liable to melt in the Summer's sun
and run off.

Some recommend using linseed oil in the place of tallow,
but I think it makes too dark-colored a wax.

Another grafting plaster or mortar that answers an excel-
lent purpose, is prepared of strong fat loam ; or any other
tough clay, to which may be added a fourth part of fresh
horse-dung, free from litter, and a small portion of fine
hay, cut, or hair, and a little water, well mixed : the whole
should be properly beaten with a stick, and thus well incor-
porated.

Thii$ operation should be repeated according to the nature
of the clay, and performed several times during the first day ;

PROPAGATION OF FRUITS. 41

the coraposition being still moistened with water for six or
seven days successively, at the end of which time it will be fit
for use.

There are various modes of engrafting, which are termed
whip-grafting, or tongue-grafting, crown-grafting, saddle-
grafting, root-grafting, check-grafting, side-grafting, and,
lastly, grafting by approach or inarching. Besides this last
mentioned, the following are the most commonly and success-
fully practiced.

1 St. Whip-grafting or tongue- grafting is generally performed
in nurseries^ upon small stocks, from a quarter of an inch to
a half or a whole inch in diameter; The stock, scions or
grafts, should always be of the same size, or approach as near
to the same size as possible. They are both to be sloped oif
a full inch or more and then tied closely together. This
method may be much improved by performing what gardeners
call tounging or tipping ; that is, by making an incision in
the bare part of the stock downward, and a similar slit in
the scion upward; after which they are to be carefully joined
together, so that the rinds of both may meet in every part,
when a ligament or bandage of bass or candlewick is to be
tied round the scion to prevent it from being displaced, and
the whole is to be covered over or coated with the clay above
described.

Another description of this mode we copy, being an excel-
lent article from Affleck's Farmers and G-ardeners Alma-
nack :

"Although it is better for a farmer to go to a nursery, and
there select the young trees he may require, yet every ©ne
ought to have a knowledge of grafting and budding — with this
view, a sketch descriptive of the process has been prepared,
and is here offered :

" Stocks for grafting or budding are produced either by
sowing seed, or from layers, suckers or cuttings; but the stock
must be of the same natural family as that to which the graft
belongs, or have a close affinity to it. To use others — as the
sycamore for the pear and apple, the walnut for the peach,
&c. — may do as a matter of amusement or experiment, but

42 PROPAGATION OF FRUITS.

can be of no permanent and real advantage. In grafting,
mere propagation should not be the only object, for, to secure
a permanent union between the stock and graft is of far more
importance. For apples, seedlings of the apple and crab.
Pears, those of the wild species or of the quince. Plums,
seedlings of the common or wild plum. Cherries, seedlings
of any free-growing wild variety. Peaches, on the stock raised
from the seed. The apricot and nectarine, the larger sort of
plums.

"The season for grafting may begin by the middle of March
and continue until the end of April ; the grafts being cut into
lengths of four or five buds each ; the knife to be thin, small,
and keen-edged. Cut off the head oi the stock and the base
of the scion at a corresponding angle, so as to form, when put
together, a neat splice ; the tip of the stock, if larger than
the graft, is to be cut off horizontally. Next a slit is made
downwards in the centre of the sloping cut in the stock, and
a corresponding slit upwards in the face of the scion ; in ap-
plying the scion to the stock the tongue formed in the base of
the former is inserted into cleft of the latter, and so fitted
that the inner bark may unite neatly and exactly on one side ;
the splice is then to be tied, or covered with clay or waxed
bandage.

" Cleft and Root Grafting. — Other methods might be
mentioned, but it will sufiice for our purpose to include cleft
and root grafting: the former being adopted where the stock
is larger than the graft, when the head of the stock is cut off
and a perpendicular slit made, D, the scion being sloped on
both sides, C, and inserted like a wedge into the cleft of
the stock as at F. Root grafting is performed on a root a
little thicker than the graft, and the more fibrous the better;
a quantity of them may be procured in the fall and packed
away in sand or earth in a cellar ; those from young, thrifty
trees being most desirable; and, when grafted, they may be
packed away in earth in a cellar until spring, when they may
be planted out in nursery rows."

We will here give" another description of cleft-grafting or
slit-grafting, as gardeners differently term it, so practical and

PROPAGATION OF FRUITS.

43

44 PROPAGATIOX OF FRUITS.

plain that any farmer may perform the operation without the
least difficulty : It is performed upon stocks from one to two
inches in diameter. The head of the stock being carefully
cut off in a sloping direction, a perpendicular cleft or slit is
to be made about two inches deep, with a knife or chisel, to-
wards the back of the slope, into which a wedge is to be driven
in order to keep it open for the admission of the scion ; the
latter must now be cut in a perpendicular direction, and in
the form of a wedge, so as t6 fit the incision in the stock. As
soon as it is prepared it should be placed in the cleft in such
a manner that the inner bark of both the stock and scion may
meet exacthj together ; two scions may be inserted if the stock
is large. It is then to be tied with a ligature of bass, cotton-
wick, or other pliable banda^re, and clayed over, as is prac-
ticed in whip-grafting, three or four eyes being left in the scion
uncovered. The proper season for this mode of grafting is
the same as the preceding, viz : February and March, although
it will answer all through April. Towards the latter end of
May, or beginning of June, the junction of the graft and stock
will be completed, and the latter begin to shoot; when the
clay may be taken off, and, in the course of a fortnight or
three weeks, the bandages may be removed.

" Extreme branch-grafting^'' or grafting over the top of an
old tree, is a very great acquisition to those who take pleasure
in cultivating good fruit. The process is copied from the
Trans. Soe. Arts, London, and is as follows :

" Cut away all the spray wood, and make the tree a perfect
skeleton, leaving all the healthy limbs; then clean the branches
and cut the top of each branch off, where it would measure in
circumference from the size of a shilling to that of a crown-
piece. Some of the branches must, of course, be taken off
where they are a little larger, and some smaller, to preserve
the canopy or head of the tree ; and it will be necessary to
take out the branches which cross other, and observe the
arms are left to fork off, so that no considerable opening is to
be perceived when you stand under the tree, but that they

may represent an uniform head When preparing the

tree, leave the branches sufficiently long to allow of two or

PROPAGATION OF FRUITS.

45

three inclies to be taken off by the saw, that all the splintered
parts may be removed.

The trees being thus prepared, put in one or two grafts at
the extremity of each branch; and put on the cement described

below, and tie it with bass or soft strings Do not sever

all the shoots, as, in case the grafts do not succeed, they may
be wanted to re-engraft the next Spring. Additional grafts
may be inserted in the sides of the branches, as at A, A, A,
A, A, A, or where they are wanted to form the tree into a
handsome shape.

*A^_

Cement for G-rafting. — One pound of pitch, ditto resin, half
ditto beeswax, quarter ditto hogs lard, quarter ditto turpen-
tine, to be boiled together, but not to be used until you can
bear a finger in it.

It is objectionable to graft at short distances from the trunk
or body of a tree, as the w^ounds are so large as to require
several grafts, w^hich cannot firmly unite and clasp over the
stumps, and consequently these wounds lay a foundation for
after decay; or, else, they diminish the growth of the tree,

46 PROPAGATIOX OF FRUITS.

whereas, upon this plan, they will be larger in three or four years,
than before the operation. The annexed cut will give an
idea of this plan to give a new top of superior fruit bearing
branches to a tree, even if old and decayed.

The following " neiv mode, as it was called, was long kept
a secret in France. A limb of willow three or four inches
thick Avas buried in a trench deep enough to receive it, and
at the distance of every four or five inches holes were bored,
into which grafts were inserted, care being taken to make the
bark of the graft and the limb into which it was inserted,
touch ; the lower part of the graft was pointed and the bark
shaved oif. The limb and the grafts were then covered with
earth, and abou^ two inches of the latter left above the sur-
face. In process of time the limb rotted and the grafts took
root. The different grafts were then dug up and trans-
planted.

The theory of grafting has been explained thus : " It is
the inosculation of the vessels of the graft with those of the
bark and alburnum of the tree, to which they are applied
and bound.

" In grafting, it is necessary to apply the bark which con-
tains or consists of the caudex of the young scion, exactly
to the bark of the branch into whicli it is inserted or
applied ; and then all species of grafting succeeds, whether
by excision or inoculation, or inarching. But I suspect where
a single bud is inoculated, it has often failed from the ope-
rator having selected a Jloiver-hw\ instead of a leaf-bud ;
which probably unites its caudex with those of the stock with
less vigor, and certainly dies, after it has ripened its seed ;
or, by holding the bud in his mouth as he ascends the ladder
or while he makes the incision, and thus destroys it by heat
as I once observed A leaf bud may in general be distin
guished from a flower bud by its being sharper, pointed, and
less spherical.

Cleft grafting is sometimes performed in the following sim-
ple manner, "You may cut, at or a little below the surface,
any cion whose root is unconnected with the mother stock,
and make a split in the stump, and sharpen your graft

PROPAGATION OF FRUITS. 47

in the same way, and open the split and set it in the
stump, hut not perpeyidicularly — the last process, perpendicu-
lar, is so apt to miss taking the sap ; but if you set your
graft cross or quartering, you cannot miss. You will be care-
ful to cover it with fine earth two or three inches deep, and
you may depend on success."

Root Grafting may also be successfully performed as
follows :

" When you commence grafting, you have nothing to do but
dig around the root of the tree, in whose root you intend to
set — when you find a root half an inch in diameter, cut it
loose from its mother and raise the outer end of it a little, so
that you can make a split in it about an inch or more from
the end — then sharpen the graft just at the joint, with one
side a little thicker than the other, and open the split end of
the root — cover it even at the surface with fine earth, and it
will sometimes grow to the height of six feet in one Summer.

Grafting Stone Fruits. — To be successful, the grafting
of stone fruits must be done very early. The cherry needs
to be grafted earlier than the plum, and the operation must
be performed on both before the buds begin to swell. The
peach vv'ill succeed by root grafting, if carefully done early in
the Spring. It may be grafted in the usual way with some
success.

After Management. — In grafting, when the top of the
stock is off, it is best not to rub off all the suckers as they are
produced, and thereby thwart nature in her efforts to renew
the lost top. Large stocks may suffer for want of sufficient
top, if all the sprouts are cut off and kept off. Yet suckers
must not be permitted to divert too much of the sap from the
scions. It is best, after the scions have been well established, to
cut or rub off the suckers occasionally, or spurr-iuy that is, re-
duce a portion at a time, so that the scion may not be impov-
erished. Old trees, when grafted, should be deprived of all
suckers that croAvd or interfere Avith the scions, but small
twigs of the old wood should here and there be left until the
next year or second season. This will aid in sustaining the
vigor of the stock and the health and luxuriant growth of
the scions.

48 PROPAGATIOX OF FRUITS.

Grafting Clay. — Take equal quantities of pure clay and
fine fresh horse manure — if the clay be too strong, add a
little sand — apply a ball of the mixture to the stock, completely
covering it. It is kept in its place and supported by -winding
around it strips of old cloth, tow or other bandage. The com-
position will work well with less horse manure, and, by adding
fine hair, or, pure clay alone will answer if properly bandaged,
in case it is not convenient to prepare grafting composition.
It is, however, more troublesome to apply, and no surer than
the wax composition.

GKAFTING OLD ORCHARDS.

The following treatise, by C. P. Renlods, Rochester, N. Y.,
written for that popular and valuable periodical, " Th' Rural
Annual and Hoi'ticidtural Directory^ Joseph Harris, Roches-
ter, on grafting old orchards, is deemed worthy of a place in
this work.

" There are but few old orchards in the country that do not
contain some trees which are decidedly unprofitable. Some
bear small, sour, natural fruit, only fit for cider or swine;
others are grafted to poor varieties, or are shy bearers, or the
variety may be good generally, but may not succeed on some
soils or localities. Thus for various reasons nearly every
orchard contains some trees that bring but little i]rood fruit to
the farmer, and he feels that, unless some improvement can
be made, they may as Avell be cut down and no longer cumber
the ground.

Now, if a tree is healthy and thrifty, it would be unwise to
destroy it, for it has a foundation of roots, and a structure of
trunk and branches, that it would require many years for a
young tree transplanted from the nursery to attain to. If
we can only substitute for that inferior, nearly wcrthless fruit,
fine, excellent, productive fruit, it will be far better than to
destroy the tree. The science of grafting afibrds the means of
changing that fruit within a few years.

If a bearing tree produces tolerable, fair-looking, saleable
fruit, although not of the first class, it would be impolitic to
graft it over, for it would require several years before the

PROPAGATION OF FRUITS. 49

grafts would bring in so large an income as the old kind, and
there is some risk to run in grafting over an old tree. The
grafts may fail, or the tree itself may die in consequence of
cutting out so much of the top.

It is to afford some suggestions how to avoid failure in
grafting that this article is written."

THE TIME FOR GRAFTING.

We prefer grafting apple trees as early in A pril as the wax
will work freely. If the work is properly done, no subsequent
freezing will injure the grafts. I once grafted an orchard
in the early part of April, and about the middle of the month
the ground froze up quite solid, but the grafts succeeded re-
markably well.

GRAFTING WAX.

A very good wax for grafting may be made with 2 lbs.
of resin, 1 lb. beeswax and 1 lb. tallow. They should be
melted together, poured into a tub of cold water, and worked
with the hands, until soft and pliable, and as light colored as
possible, as dark colored wax is liable to melt and run off in
the Summer sun.

Some recommend linseed oil in the place of tallow, but I
think it makes too dark colored a wax.

GRAFTING.

The first operation in grafting is to saw off the limbs to be
grafted, and this is a very important part of the operation.

It is desirable to have the new top as low as possible, and
many are induced to saw off large limbs as near the trunk as
practicable in order to secure this end ; but it is very liable
to result in the failure of the grafts and the speedy death of
the tree. The end of the limbs will die first, and decay will
soon extend down to the roots. Never saw off a limb more
than two inches in diameter^ and hut few of that size. The
safest way and the one most certain of success, is to allow
the larger limbs to remain and graft their lateral branches,
5

50 PROPAGATION OF FRUITS.

thus, without elevating the top much above the original one,
you graft only small limbs. A fine sharp saw should be
used, so as to make a smooth cut and do the work neatly.
Care should be used to hold the limb with one hand, while
sawing it off with the other, otherwise it may peel down
on the un.ier side. Some three or four inches of the
stump of each limb should be left to graft. It is a good plan to
graft only a part of the tree the first year, selecting the most
thrifty limbs, and taking two or three years to complete the
tree.

CUTTING AND PREPARING THE SCIONS.

The scions should be of the past year's growth, cut from
the outside limbs of a tree any time during the suspension of
growth, but February or March is considered the best time ;
tied up in bundle;^, carefully labelled, and laid away in the
cellar in slightly moistened sand. An expert will cut the
grafts at the time of grafting with success, but it is best
to cut them before.

Two buds should be left on every graft and using a sharp
knife cut it to a wedge shape, leaving the side the lower bud
is on a little thicker than the opposite one, so that the bark
of the stock will be certain to press on the bark of the graft,
and the bark of each should exactly meet.

SETTING THE GRAFT.

With a grafting chisel, or an ordinary one, split the
stock down about two inches, drive in a small wedge of wood
or iron to keep the cleft open, until the scion or scions are in-
serted ; set the scions so that the lower bud will be just inside
the cleft, and the bark of the stock and scion join at the same
point, as at this junction the sap flows from the stock into the
graft, and withdraw the wedge. Where the stock is from one and
a half to two inches in diameter, it is well to insert two scions,
and in case both grow, the weakest should he smoothly cut off
three' or four months afterivard. The wax should be immedi-
ately spread on, so as to cover the end of the stock and its clefts,

PROPAGATION OF FRUITS. 51

thereby excluding air and water. Spread it on pretty thick,
for it is poor economy to be too saving of Tr^ax, if resin and other
materials are very high. It is necessary to grease the fingers
to prevent the wax adhering to them.

AFTER TREATMENT.

As. soon as the growth commences in the grafted tree, the
sap which formerly flowed through the severed limbs, will seek
new channels, and numerous suckers will start in the vicinity
of the grafts. These should be carefully rubbed off once a
month.

In case the grafts in any of the limbs fail, one or more
sprouts should be allowed to grow, to be grafted when of suf-
ficient size..

An old tree, thus grafted over, will come into bearing seve-
ral years before a young tree transplanted at the same time,
and bear much heavier crops.

VARIETIES.

In selecting varieties to graft, a somewhat different selec-
tion would be made for a market orchard from what would be
desired for home supply.

If for market, a few only of the most productive varieties
in the neighborhood, and the most saleable should be chosen.
Other things being equal, a red apple always sells better than
a green or yellow one, as buyers are influenced a great deal
by the looks of the fruit. An orchard of Baldwins^ in most
localities, will probably yield a greater profit than almost any
other variety, and a Greening, from its well known character,
is always in demand.

If an orchard is located near a large city, Summer apples
often pay very well. The Early Harvest, Red Astrachan,
Early Joe, Primate, Sweet Bough and Golden Sweet are the
best Summer varieties for New York State, either for market
or home consumption.

Among autumn varieties, the Gravenstein deservedly ranks
first; the Detroit Red, or Black Detroit, is a large, product-

62 PROPAGATION OF FRUITS.

ive and excellent variety ; the Maiden's Blush, is a handsome
yellow apple, with a blush, rather above medium size, and
productive ; Wine, or Hays, a large striped handsome apple,
of excellent flavor, 1 have found one of the best and most
productive of late Autumn varieties, and it would command
the highest price in any market.

For Winter, in addition to the Baldwin and Greening,
already mentioned, the Spitzenberg, where it succeeds well,
is a good variety and meets with ready sale ; it is a long time
coming into full bearing, but, when once established, is a good
uniform bearer ; the Tompkin's County King is bearing the
test of experience very well, and bids fair to take a high rank
among Winter apples ; the Peck's Pleasant, a green apple,
becoming yellow, with a red cheek, as it ripens, is a good and
productive variety for late Winter.

The above varieties would form a very good selection for
Western New York, and with a few variations would be well
adapted to many other parts of our country.

PEARS— OLD WORTHLESS TREES.

We have thus far spoken only of apples, yet nearly every
old orchard or fruit yard has a number of old worthless pear
trees, producing either bitter, astringent, natural fruit, or un-
profitable grafted varieties. How many trees of the once
unsurpassed Virgaliere are left standing about the country,
producing from year to year nothing but miserable cracked
fruit. Man has not yet become wise enough to devise a
remedy for this disease which affects several of our better
pears ; so I suppose there is no other way than to substitute
some other varieties for those so diseased. Happily, our list
of good pears is becoming quite extensive, and there is no
excuse for retaining an old favorite that has become worthless.
In Summer we can enjoy such varieties as Doyenne d'Ete,
Dearborn's Seedling, Tyson, Rostiezer, and Beurre Gifford ;
in Autumn, the Bartlett, Flemish Beauty, Seckel, Belle
Lucrative, Duchess d'Angouleme, Louise Bonne, Sheldon,
Beurre d'Anjou, Beurre Diel, Beurre Clairgean, and Law-

PROPAGATION OF FRUITS. 53

rence ; and in Winter, Vicar of Wakefield, and in some
localities, Glout Morceau, and Easter Beurre, although I am
of opinion that we are yet without a really good Winter pear.
Pears generally bear grafting well, and will soon repay all
outlay. They should be grafted a little earlier than apples,
and in the same way.

GRAFTING AND IMPROVEMENT.

The address of J. R. Williams, Esq., before the Kalamazoo
Agricultural Society, Michigan, contains much good sense.
The following remarks on the ease with Avhich every man may
improve the quality of his fruit are applicable to the latitude
and meridian of other places besides Western Michigan :

"As it is with animals and vegetables, so it is with fruits.
You can have stunted, astringent, crabbed fruits, or the most
delicious. The precaution to send your neighbor's boy to snip
a shoot from a fine tree, while you are stopping to decide the
affairs of the nation with him — a few minutes taken to slide
it under the bark, while you are waiting for a meal at home,
will transform a useless shoot into a valuable tree, that shall
furnish pleasure and nutriment to generations of men. A few
minutes improved now and then, which would be otherwise
idled away, will surround your dwelling with a grove which
will prove of the greatest utility and delightful embellish-
ment. I know men say they have no time, yet I have always
observed that men who make this excuse have plenty of time
to lounge at the tavern — plenty of time to run after some
mountebank or charletan — plenty of time to litigate with a
neighbor. No ! man ! plant the tree. It will grow while you
sleep. Bud it. Graft it. Nurse it, and it shall gladden the
sight and please the palate of people yet unborn, and you shall
have a memorial of your existence, springing from the sod,
when you shall repose beneath it.

Some five or six years ago I found on the place where I
reside some scrubs of natural fruit. The tops of my trees,
my neighbors said, were too large to graft. But they were
grafted with considerable labor. My predecessor might have
budded or grafted each with a single germ, and saved me nine-

64 PROPAGATION OF FRUITS.

teen twentieths of the time and expense. Another set of
men told me the country was not natural for fruit. I put in
the grafts, and for years have had an abundance of delicious
fruit for the table or cookery, for myself and my neighbors
in summer, fall, and winter, and I find none will eat more
greedily than those who have no time to graft their own trees,
and Avho curse the climate as unfit for fruit."

SEEDS OF FRUIT TREES.

In addition to what has already been said under the head
of "Propagation by Seeds," a few more observations on this
subject are deemed proper in this portion of our work. There
are very few seedling fruits out of the great number grown,
which are worth the place they occupy, as compared with
those which are propagated by budding and grafting; and no
man should ever think of relying on these for the supply of
fruits for market or for family use. Still every man desires
to know how to propagate the difi'erent varieties of fruits from
the seed, that he may be able to supply himself with stocks
if he chooses, on which to graft or bud those he may select
for his own culture.

The seeds of apple, pear, and quince, may be treated sub-
stantially alike. Those of the first may be taken from the
fruit itself, or, if more convenient, washed from the pomace at
the cider mill as soon as possible after the juice is extracted."
(One objection to this, however, is, that generally there is a
mixture of seeds in the pomace of all varieties, slow-growing
and free-growing, healthy and unhealthy, dwarfish and scrub-
by— and one would wish to propagate from the most thrifty
and suitable. It would, therefore, be proper to select the
kernels from the most healthy, free-growing varieties.) " It
is common to obtain seeds from rotten apples. This may be
done by mashing them in a plentiful supply of water, and
running them through a sieve, by which the pulp will be car-
ried off and the seeds retained. Pomace may be washed by
macerating in water, and then running it through a long spout,
when, the seeds will fall to the bottom and the refuse matter
pass ofi*. This is quite easy, when there is a small spring of

PROPAGATION OF FRUITS. 55

water with a fall, or even a pump to be used. Pear seeds are
difficult to manage, and should be taken from the fruit as soon
after it is well ripened as convenient. The seeds of the poorer
sorts, \i free-growers, such as the common Choke pears, are
most plentiful and best.

The seeds of the apple, pear, and quince may be planted
as soon as washed out, in good, moist, deep and rich soil,
where they will vegetate freely with the ensuing spring. Those
of the pear are the most difficult of all ; and the young plants
are the most tender and precarious. It is of very little use to
plant pomace of rotten apples, and none at all to plant rotten
pears. Not one in a hundred, if in a thousand, will come. It
does not destroy the vitality of the seeds to dry them and
keep them over ; though we have found them more difficult to
vegetate than those planted in time. They are often kept dry
for several years, and then sown with success ; though a por-
tion of them will always in such cases fail.

Pears and apples are ready for the bud the second year,
provided they receive a good growth and are well treated.

Though quinces may be grown from the seed, a better way
is to use the cuttings. We have been nearly as successful
with them as with those of the currant ; and they may be
propagated in this way indefinitely.

The kernels of the peach, cherry, and plum, after being
taken from the ripe fruit, should be immediately planted in
the seed bed, where they will make their appearance in the
following spring. It is sometimes recommended to put cher-
ries in sand and keep them until spring before planting out.
This is an unsafe mode, from the fact that they are liable to
start before planting ; and, when this is the case, their removal
is their destruction. If the kernels of either of these fruits
are allowed to become dry before planting, they will not open
again, though exposed to the frost and wet of Winter. There
will be exceptions, and only such, to this, among the peach
kernels, but none, or next to none, with either of the other
named fruits. The vital powers of a peach seed are not de-
stroyed in many years by being dried, and if the kernels are
broken, the dried ones may be grown ; but without this care,
not one in a hundred will germinate.

56 PROPAGATION OF FRUITS.

After standing the first season in the seed beds, all these
fruits should be removed to nursery rows, setting them therein
about one foot or fifteen inches apart, having taken the pre-
caution to cut ofi" one half of the length of the tap-root. The
peaches will be ready for the bud the first season, and the
others, the second.

Some prefer grafting these fruits, with the exception of
the peach, but budding is so much easier, and quite as sure?
that it will probably be adhered to instead, both by nursery-
men and those who cultivate for themselves; though the
former, as a saving of time, will practice all the usual modes
0? propagation."

THE NURSERY.

Nursery, in horticulture, is a piece of land selected for
raising or propagating plants and trees, with a view to supply-
ing both gardens and plantations.

As we state under distinct heads the mode of cultivation to
be adopted in the rearing of plants, and more especially of
the apple and peach tree, we shall communicate a few more
general hints and directions in regard to establishing and
managing a nursery :

I. A nursery ought to be situated contiguously to the
dwelling-house, that it may be conveniently inspected in every
season ; it should likewise be in the vicinity of a brook or riv-
ulet, in order that there may be a constant supply of water
during the hot days of Summer.

II. If intended for timber trees, the nursery should be
formed on the ground which is designed for the future planta-
tion, so that a sufficient number may be suffered to stand, when
the others have been removed.

III. With respect to fruit trees : 1. The soil ought to be
fresh, rather dry than moist, and not richer than that into
which they are finally to be transplanted. 2. It should be
carefully enclosed, to exclude hares, rabbits, and all other
animals that infest young plantations; after which the ground
must 'be diligently cleared from all weeds, and trenched or
ploughed deep, followed by a subsoil plough to the depth of

PROPAGATION OF FRUITS. 57

at least eighteen inches, in the month of July or August, so
that the nursery may be ready for the reception of the young
stocks early in October. 3. On the approach of the planting
season, the soil must be laid as level as possible, and divided
into equal quarters, which ought likewise to be subdivided
into beds, wherein may be sown the seeds or kernel of the fruit
intended to be reared. Lastly, when a sufficient number
of stocks is obtained, they must be removed into such soils
and exposed to such situations, as the nature of each fruit may
require.

ORCHARDS

Orchard, in horticulture, is a tract of land appropriated
to the growth of standard fruit trees, with a view to furnish a
supply of the most useful kinds of fruit.

Orchards are sometimes confined to the cultivation of
apples, peaches, pears, cherries, or other particular fruit,
especially if they are situated in the vicinity of railroads, canals,
towns, or cities ; more frequently, however, they are com-
posed of all the trees before mentioned, with a double propor-
tion of those bearing apples, which, doubtless, are the most
plentiful and valuable fruit that may be easily preserved
during the whole year. It is also the custom, when standard
apple trees are planted from 30 to 33 feet apart, to place two
dwarf trees at equal distances between them.

The utility of a general orchard, both for domestic use and
the sale of its production, is evident to the most superficial
observer, independently of the beautiful appearance it presents,
from an early period in the spring to late in the autumn, ....
we shall, therefore, give some directions from ^^ractical writers
and actual experience on the proper management of this most
important department of economy.

I.— EXTENT, SITUATION AND SOIL.

The extent of an orchard should be in proportion to that of
arable land, and the quantity of fruit required either for pri-
vate use or the supply of the public market ; so that the planta-
tion may consist of from half an acre to twenty acres. As,
however, there are many friends of horticulture whose posses-
sions confine them to a small compass, and who, nevertheless,
wish to practice this useful art on a systematic plan, we have
subjoined a cut in which the proper place of each tree is accu-
rately represented, and the most valuable fruit trees are dis-
tinctly pointed out.

ORCHARDS. 59

The situation and aspect may vary according to circum-
stances, provided the soil is good. All low, damp exposures,
however, ought to be purposely avoided, as no fruit trees will
flourish there, nor can their productions be fine or well flavored.
A moderately low situation, therefore, is preferable to elevated
lands, provided it is dry^ because it will be sheltered from the
effects of tempestuous winds ; though a small declivity will be
very desirable, especially if its aspect incline towards the
east, southeast, or to the south ; which situations are always
more eligible than a western exposure "

(The above directions respecting the choice 'of situation for
an orchard are inserted here to keep the reader in mind of the
necessity of caution in following the directions of European
writers on horticulture. Ample reasons will be given in the
course of this work for preferring even a northern situation
for both apple and peach trees in this country.)

It is a well known fact that in those western parts of the
United States, which have a high exposure to the winter's
blasts, the northern sides of a ridge or mountain arrive sooner
and more certainly at a state of perfect vegetation than the
south sides, which are laid open to the power of the sun. Some
account for this phenomenon as follows : they suppose that the
southern exposure to the vehement rays of the sun, during
the infant stages of vegetation, puts the sap in motion at too
early a period of the Spring, before the season has become
sufficiently steady to aff'ord nurture and protection to the veg-
etating plant, blossom, or leaf; and, when in this state the
first eff*orts of vegetation are checked by the chilling influence
of cold nights, and such changeable weather as the contest
between Winter and Spring is ever wont to produce in their
apparent struggles to govern the season On the con-
trary, the northern exposures, which are not so early presented
to the vivifying influence of the sun, remain, as it were, in a
torpid state until the more advanced period of the Spring,
when all danger of vegetation being checked is over. Mr. C.
Yancey, of Amherst county, Virginia, who was remarkable
for his fine orchards and management of fruits, always pre-
ferred the north side of a lofty mountain for his peach orchard.

60 ORCHARDS.

Another gentleman observed, that during a hard "winter he
saw a particular tree, in a row of the same kind and growth,
preserved through the mere accident of its having been paved
with oyster shells.

It is also to be remarked that the southwestern mountains
of Piedmont Virginia, which are not very high, are noted for
the production of fine fruit.*

The apple, peach, pear, and cherry arrive at the greatest
perfection, not only on all the hills, declivities, and valleys
adjacent, but from foot to top, on both north and south sides of
these mountains. As fine fruit grows on the north sides and
top as can be produced m any country. It is also observable
that a line, thermal belt, perhaps, it might be called, ranging
about midway the south sides of the mountains expand vege-
tation some eight or ten days earlier than at the lowest or
highest parts, being sheltered from the high north and north-
west winds of the one and the vernal frosts of the other.

A correspondent, when writing a friend in Albemarle county,
in the section above referred to, states that he found all the
peaches had been killed by frost in the peach orchards in the
valley near the mansion, while they had escaped, and were
bearing in great abundance at another part of the estate higher
up the side of the neighboring mountain.

With respect to soil any common field, or pasture, which
produces abundant crops of corn, grass, or culinary vegeta-
bles, may be chosen for laying out an orchard. If it be of a
rich loamy nature, it will be of great advantage ; though any
soil of good quality may be prepared for the purpose ; but it
must be neither too wet or heavy; nor too light or dry; it
should be soft, easily worked, and have at least one spade deep
of vegetable mould.

Cole, in his American Fruit Book, says, " soils have a pow-
erful effect in the modification of fruit, so much that some are
large, fair, and of the greatest excellence on one soil and

*An intelligent Pennsylvanian who had paid great attention to fruit,
and who had traveled through many States of the Union, recently stated
that he regarded the Piedmont region of Virginia as decidedly the best
portion of the United States for the production of fine apples.

ORCHARDS. 61

worthless on another. They also vary the time of ripening,
and materially aiFect the tree in growth, health, size, and lon-
gevity. The choice of a proper soil is, doubtless, not suffi-
ciently attended to. Orchardists of judgment and experience
agree, that apples growing in a loose soil produce much more
rich and generous liquor, than those that grow in a stiff clayey
soil; but, if cultivation and mulching is properly attended to,
provided the soil is well drained, the most satisfactory growth
and fruiting may easily be obtained from such ^ stiff , clayey
soil.' " The author is of opinion that, if properly managed,
it cannot be excelled — it only requires such manures as have
a tendency to loosen the soil, and more frequent and better
cultivation.

In regard to clayey soils, a writer says: "I have visited
many fruit raisers to examine their orchards and the products.
The evidence obtained leaves no doubt in my mind, but that a
clayey loam is the only soil which will admit the highest de-
gree of cultivation for the apple without endangering its keep-
ing qualities."

In the ''''Southwest Mountain " section of Virginia, just re-
ferred to, the soil is of a fine Spanish-brown color, approach-
ing to red — when wet, very tenacious — when dry, spongy and
puffy; and, when new or fresh, produces the largest and finest
crops of corn, oats, tobacco, and wheat, without manure.
This is the character of the soil that produced the "Albemarle
Pippin'' and the "Nelson Pilot apple," the most valuable of
all winter apples.

The rich alluvion deposited by annual floods; the sandy
slopes of the low lands, furnishing little else than silica ; lime-
stone cliffs, affording along their sides the richest of fruit
soils; high clayey ridges, requiring thorough tilth; and broad
river bottoms with deep black soil, are all congenial, and well
adapted to the general culture of the apple. But all these
various soils are disposed to favor the growth of particular
varieties, and it should be the business of the horticulturist to
classify and point out to the fruit grower and farmer the ad-
vantages to be derived from a discriminating selection.

Dr. J. A. Warder, the distinguished horticulturist of the

62 ORCHARDS.

West, is of opinion that ''an elevated situation, with light,
porous soil, is the most proper location for an apple orchard,
although it is found that fruit trees will thrive in newly cleared
land, if set among the stumps; they have been planted on
prairie sod, and there are many fine orchards on rocky tracts,
where the preparation must be done exclusively with the pick,
the spade, and the shovel. It may be the best economy for
the owner of such land to appropriate it to the orchard, be-
cause it is unfitted for tillage crops." Decidedly best, for the
product of such rough land may be made to vie with and even
surpass in value the richest and most highly cultivated acres
of the farm.

A gentleman who owns a farm in a rough, mountainous,
red-land section of Virginia, has an orchard, which in the ag-
gregate is a large one, planted entirely on such spots — no
order or regularity is observed or attempted, but the trees are
set in fence corners, abrupt declivities, beside heaps of stone,
along lanes and places impracticable for tillage with the plough,
where only the pick and mattock can be used to loosen the
soil — and these places produce thrifty trees, and fruit of
the very best quality — the rich, light, friable soil requiring but
little cultivation. These spots, which otherwise would be
valueless, are thus made, with little labor and expense, the
most productive parts of the farm.

As farther proof of the adaptability of certain soils to large
growth and successful apple culture, the author will here de-
scribe a large tree, in his own neighborhood, which description
he gave the Southern Planter and Farmer some months ago :

Probably the largest apple tree in the Southern States is
now standing in a dilapidated condition on a farm at present
owned by the heirs of the late Professor George Blaetterman,
of the University of Virginia, in Albemarle county, three
miles south of the southwest mountains. The soil that pro-
duced this noble old patriarch is friable and loamy, of dark
mulatto color, and a little mixed with small yellow gravel;
clay subsoil, and immediately over the only bed or vein of
limestone between the ocean and the mountains. This tree is
upwards of three feet in diameter three feet above the ground,

ORCHARDS. 63

and its present height is not less than thirty-five or forty feet.
One of its branches has decayed and fallen off. The tree
still bears fruit of medium size and indifferent flavor, but makes
good cider. It has two or three neighbors standing near at
irregular intervals — all are much decayed, and one, fully as
large as the one I am describing, has fallen, and its bulky
ruins still remain. All these trees are evidently seedlings.
An old dwelling once stood near them, which was built and
occupied by the Sharpe family, w^ho were among the pioneers
of this section. The scope of the writer's recollection is some
fifty-five years, and these trees were grand old specimens at
his earliest recollection. They are probably not less than one
hundred years old.

All that has life must perish and decay,

Mix dust to dust, though long or short the stay.
Oft has dread lightnings quivered o'er thy head,

And raging tempest rocked thee in thy bed ;
And winds less rapid oft have spread around

And cast thy fruit all pattering to the ground ;
Where man and beast the benefit received,

And thou wert of the bending load relieved.

The pomologist may infer that the soil above described is the
very best, and most suitable for the growth of the '''■prince of
all fruits,'^ the Apple — yet, the farmer and orchardist should
bear in mind that any good, strong soil, of whatever color,
texture, or consistence, that will grow good corn, wheat, or
tobacco, will produce fair crops of fruit; and, with proper
care and tillage, abundant returns may be expected.

PREPAEATION OF SOIL.

Any good farmer will not be surprised to learn that very
thorough cultivation of the land appropriated to orchards, even
if the situation is favorable, is not to be dispensed with. As
a general rule, it should be deeply and well ploughed, followed
by a new-ground coulter or subsoil plough to lift and pulver-
ize the soil. The harrow should then be applied and the soil
reduced to a fine tilth.

The mattock may be used on steep or stony ground, where

64 ORCHARDS.

ploughing is impracticable ; " but trencldng the ground with
the spade is a much more efficient mode of preparation than
can be efifected by the mattock ; for, where it is properly per-
formed, the surface soil is thrown to the bottom, and the fat
subsoil is brought to the top, from which procedure results not
only the thorough culture that is desired, but the mould is
placed below, for the deep roots and the new soil, free from
the seeds of weeds, is brought within the reach of the sun and
frost and atmospheric influences. It is not necessary to de-
scribe the process of trenching, nor to enlarge upon its ad-
vantages, as they are generally understood. The only diffi-
culty is the cost, which may deter many from the practice of
this mode. The expense of trenching an acre of land, clear
soil, would be at this time about $50. The same land may
be ploughed nearly as deeply for about $10; showing a dif-
ference of outlay in this important item that would induce
most persons to dispense with the spade in the preparation of
orchard land.

The land selected for orchards, if not sufficiently rich,
should be well manured before ploughing ; and after setting
the trees, a covering of leaves, straw, or any kind of litter,
will have a most beneficial effect in relieving the effects of
drought, producing an even temperature, a regular and healthy
growth, and will promote fair and abundant crops as the trees
approach maturity.

We read in the New Testament of an ancient cultivator
who had got it into his head that digging and dunging a tree
might help it. The faults of ordinary management are the
impoverishment of the soil and the withholding of proper
manures; such as "mi^cA:," ditch mud, peat and animal
manures, ashes, &c., the first four having been properly acted
on by the freezing of a winter. All these together make a
compost of the best description for thin soil, intended for
setting an orchard, or, to be used to promote the free growth
of the trees in the process of cultivation.

Surface draining should not be neglected, and under drain-
ing is indispensable in low and very moist situations ; for the
apple tree is a little "impatient of wet," and does not well

ORCHARDS. 65

"bear a wet foot." Most situations, however, in tlie high-
lands, that would be preferred for orchards, have natural
drainage sufficient for every purpose. Even some of those
plants which are considered aquatics, appear to thrive better,
when the redundance of wetness is in some measure alleviated
by drainage. As a general rule, if the soil be retentive, or
wet, it would be best to practice thorough drainage, by a
system of under-drains. It is not deemed necessary in this
work to describe the process of underdraining, or to expatiate
on its merits and advantages, as every farmer knows, or has
the means of knowing, whatever is practicable or profitable
about it.

Large quantities of barnyard manure are not recommended
in setting out young trees, or in orchard culture; although, if
well rotted and in moderate quantities, its effects on the growth
of young trees is very obvious. Ashes, lime, plaster, char-
coal, bone dust, muck, and, better than all, sods and soil from
fence-sides and corners, road-sides and forest, constitute the
proper food for the apple orchard; but lime should not be
used among young trees, unless in such quantities as farmers
usually spread on their cereal^crops, and if so used, its appli-
cation is exceedingly proper, especially on clayey soils.

Downing, in his magnificent and elaborate work on " The
Fruits and Fruit Trees of America,'' says, in regard to pre-
paring the places, " Here is the fatal stumbling-block of all
novices and ignorant persons in transplanting. An English
gardener when he is about to plant fruit trees, talks about
prejjaring his borders; an American says he will dig his holes;
and we cannot give a more forcible illustration of the ideas of
the two persons as to the wants of a fruit tree, or a better
notion of the comparative provision made to supply these
wants, than by contrasting the two phrases themselves. The
one looks upon a tree as a living being, whose life is to be
rendered long, vigorous and fruitful by a good supply of food,
and a soil mellow and easily penetrated by the smallest fibre ;
the other considers it very much in the light of a truncheon,
or a post, which he thrusts into the smallest possible hole, and
supplies with the least portion of manure, trusting to what
6

bb ORCHARDS.

he seems to believe the inextinguishable powers of nature, to
make roots and branches under any circumstances. It is true
that the terms differ somewhat from the nature of the culture
and the greater preparation necessary in planting fruit trees
in England, but this is not by any means sufficient to justify
the different modes of performing the same operation there
and here.

" In truth, in this country, where the sun and climate are
so favorable, where pruning and training are comparatively
so little necessary, the great requisite to success in the ordi-
nary culture of fruit trees is the proper preparation of the
soil before a tree is planted. Whether a transplanted tree
shall struggle several years to recover, or grow moderately
after a short time, or at once start into a very luxuriant and
vigorous growth, depends entirely upon the amount of care
and labor the planter is willing to bestow on the soil for his
trees. We have seen several instances where, side by side,
one man planted his trees in large spaces of deeply moved
and rich soil, and another in small holes in the common mode,
which uniformly showed the trees of the first larger after
five years, than those of the last, after twelve."

AVe have written and quoted enough to satisfy the intelli-
gent planter that the great desideratum in the art of trans-
planting, is THOROUGH PREPARATION OF THE SOIL ; that is

the foundation of all after work, and the main source of all
subsequent free-growth and thrift in the young plant. The
tree thus placed in the most favorable situation, luxuriates in
the mellow soil, and grows off at once freely and vigorously
spreading its verdant branches, supported by a stem, smooth,
elastic, and green as the young hickory.

MANURE FOR TREES.

The hog-mud from ditches, leaves, trash, soil from fence
corners, &c., should be collected and mixed with animal
manures to form a compost the most valuable for trees of
almost every description. The muck, or mud, should be thrown
out during the dry weather of summer or fall, and should be

ORCHARDS.

67

occasionally stirred, and left for the freezing and frost of one
winter to mellow it — a little lime, or ashes,* added to the
heap contributes greatly to its value ; the rubbish lime from
old walls and buildings is the best. Well rotted stable manure
alone is also very beneficial as a top dressing for trees.

LAYING OFF.

The soil having been thoroughly prepared and sufficiently
manured, the next process will be laying off the ground for
planting. This affords an opportunity for the exercise of
some skill and taste. In arranging the trees, Mr. Bucknall
directs them to be planted conformably to the mode repre-
sented in the following cut :

One row of the tallest and strongest standards is to be set
on three cold sides, parallel to which, must be planted another
row of the next free-gro2vei'S, then the trees are to be disposed
in a similar manner, according to their strength, gradually
declining in size, to the center. Each standard is to be
placed 33 feet apart, between which two dwarf-trees should be
planted, all of them being so pruned that each row will, in
the course of a few years, form an actual hedge of fruit.
The intermediate spaces may be filled with any hoed crops,
which should be omitted accordingly as the trees advance in
growth. Farther, the rows of trees ought to incline to a
point of the compass towards the east, because the sun will
shine upon them early in the forenoon, and thus dissipate the

* Well rotted cbip manure is excellent for fruit trees. It comes under
the head of leaves, forest mould, and such like material from vegetable
decay. The effect of ashes is immediate and continues for years.

68

ORCHARDS.

vapors which arise during the vernal nights, and stint the
fruit in the earlier stages of its growth.

Having given this general outline relative to the planting
of orchards, we should consider our work deficient on a sub-
ject of such importance, if we neglected the opportunity of
communicating a more complete and systematic introduction to
this department of horticulture, with which we have been favored
by Mr. Christ, an eminent and practical German writer. In
order to enhance the value of this work, we have procured
the subjoined cut, which represents two rows of a design for
an orchard, occupying two acres of ground (Rhenish meas-
ure) that is, 19 roods in length, according to the horizontal
rows, and 17 roods in breadth, conformably to the perpen-
dicular lines.

:<f^.-

*4,

^'^-
i^f

In an extensive orchard, the proprietor will find it more
advantageous to place the fruit trees at a considerable dis-
tance, as, by such arrangement, he will be enabled to train a
greater variety of useful plants beneath and between those of
a larger size. But in a limited space of ground, such as that
exhibited in the preceding cut, the primary object will be to
make the most economical use of the allotted ground and to
secure the greatest possible variety of fruit-bearing trees.
Next he will endeavor to arrange them so that they may stand
in symmetrical order, and exhibit a pleasing sight. For this
purpose the arrangement here proposed, in an irregular square,
will be found the most convenient and agreeable to the laws
of vegetation. Thus, the eye, wherever it turns, not only

ORCHARDS. 69

perceives a straight line, and uniform grooves, but the plan
itself is the most consistent ; because each tree is planted, in a
certain space, at the greatest possible distance from the other,
and thus, in this manner, is less cumbersome to its neighbor,
than it would be in a rectangular square. Hence 'the proper
and most profitable disposition will be that of allowing three
rods interval between standards, in the horizontal rows from
east to west, and two and a half rods in the perpendicular
lines from south to north. This space, however, would, after
sometime, be too narrow ; one tree would impede the growth
of another, and by obstructing the air as well as the rays of
the sun, prevent the ripening of the fruit ; if the trees were

indiscriminately in the spots marked on the plan To

obviate such inconvenience, it should be understood to be a
fundamental rule, that each fruit tree must he provided ivitli a
neiglibor, loliicli is of a different growth. It will, therefore,
be requisite to make such a choice of the various kinds and
species of trees, that one of a vigorous growth with a spread-
ing crown, or top, should stand next to another that expands
with less luxuriance, and has fewer or lower branches. This
arrangement may be more easily accomplished, as every
zealous friend of horticulture will naturally wish to possess
in his collection, at least one, or a few trees of every valuable
kind of fruit. And in order to facilitate such choice, we shall,
in the course of this work, furnish ample catalogues from
which proper selections may be made.

But, though the soil and space for standards, according to
our plan, be rather sparingly allotted, yet there would remain
a considerable piece of ground between them unemployed,
for some years, while they are young and growing ; hence it
will be advisable to plant and train between every two stand-
ards, in the horizontal rows, a small or dwarf-tree with a lim-
ited top or crown (peach trees would answer very well) bear-
ing early and abundant fruit, until the stems have attained so
large a size, and such spreading branches, as to overshadow
and stifle their useful but diminutive neighbors. Thus the
latter must, according to circumstances, yield the room they
occupy to the former ; and after having amply repaid the

70 ORCHARDS.

trouble of rearing them and their proportion of the ground
rent, they may still, with proper exertion, be transplanted to
another situation.

Among all fruit trees, there are none better calculated for
intermediate plantation between standards than the Yellow
Mirahelle, and the G-olden Pippin. The former is of tolera-
bly quick growth, may be managed and pruned at pleasure, and
generally bears fruit in the second year after having been trans-
planted ; its abundant plums are of great value, both for home
consumption and for sale, when in a dried state. The Golden
Pippin maintains the same rank among apple trees as the
Mirabelle among the plum kind ; its growth is moderate, the
fruit plentiful and delicious, containing a sharp, aromatic
juice and a tender pulp.

We will now give a few extracts from Coxe, one of the
most valuable, practical American works that has been pub-
lished, but which is now nearly, or quite, out of print, and is
rarely to be met with :

" The first thing to be determined upon in the planting of
an orchard, is the proper distance of the trees ; if a mere
fruit plantation be the object, the distance may be small, if
the cultivation of grain and grass be in view, (grain and grass
should never grow in an orchard,) the space between the trees
must be wider ; at 30 feet apart, an acre will contain 48 trees ;
at 35 feet, 35 trees ; at 40 feet, 27 trees, and at 50 feet,
about 18 trees to the acre. It Avill probably be found that
40 feet is the most eligible distance for a farm orchard. It
will admit sufficient sun and air in our dry, warm climate ;
and until the trees shall be fully grown, will allow of a profit-
able application of the ground to the cultivation of grain and
grass," [rather of any kind of hoed crops). Grain and grass,
and especially clover, should never grow among young trees,
or even in a grown up orchard. Buckwheat is not so in-
jurious.

Dr. Long, of Illinois, uses a very simple mode of laying
off the ground for his orchard trees, by which he secures per-
fect regularity, without even looking behind him. He uses a
very strong line, duly stretched and prepared for the purpose.

ORCHARDS. «i

(with, we suppose, bits of red flannel sewed on to designate
the exact distances of the trees from each other.) With this
he marked the spot where to drive his stakes, and then in-
stead of using the notched hoard to determine how to dig the
hole and set the tree, he made use of the handle of the spade.
Bj laying it down on the four sides of the stake, he marked
out a circle with the stake for the center, which was to be the
size of the hole dufi;. In this way he marked out the exact
place where the tree should stand.

THE XOTCHED BOARD.

The notched board for setting trees is prepared as follows :
Take an inch board 8 inches wide, bore a IJ or 2 inch
auger hole exactly in the centre each way, saw out the piece
on one side to the hole in the centre of the board, to corres-
pond with the diameter of the hole — then bore an inch hole
near each end to pin it to the ground. After the exact place
for each tree is designated by a stake, according to Dr. Long's
plan, or some other, slip the board on to the stake, with the
stake in the notch — then drive a pin in the holes in each end
and mark oif the place to be dug or scraped out — say 4 feet
square with the stake in the centre — then lift off the board,
pull up the stake, and prepare the place for the tree, which
should be from 15 to 18 inches deep, and filled to a sufficient
height with rich mellow soil. When ready to plant, replace
the board on the end pins, and adjust the tree to the notch,
which shows the exact place where the stake stood — see that
the tree sits firmly on the bottom prepared for it — spread
out the roots, having first pared off the wounded ends, and
fill in with ^we rich mould — give the tree a slight churning
when the roots are covered, and let the tree sit about as deep
as it did in the nursery, which can be known by the color of
the bark — during the process tramp in the soil gently with the
foot. As a general rule about 3 inches of soil should remain

72 ORCHARDS.

above the upmost tier of roots. In setting large trees, it is
important that the bark of each tree should correspond with
the point of the compass to which it stood before removal.
We regard the blotched hoard as the most correct mode of
ascertaining the exact position of the tree.

PREPARING THE HOLES OR PLACES FOR THE

TREES.

If the ground has been well loosened with the plough fol-
lowed by the subsoil plough, or deeply w^orked with the spade
to the depth of 14 or 16 inches, the job of digging the holes
will be- light. As has already been stated, drainage of some
sort is indispensable. In the uplands this expense is unne-
cessary, as the natural drainage is sufficient. Slaty hill-tops
and declivities and gravelly soils are naturally well drained,
and most elevated situations are dry enough. Level, clayey
soils should be drained, in some way before trees should be
planted, as they will not thrive in wet land. When holes are
dug with the spade, without drainage, in such soil, you are
apt to set your trees in a bed of mortar; then water
will stand around them, and will often kill them. Mr.
Baldwin's plan is to " plough the ground just to the depth
that you wish to set the trees, plough three or four fur-
rows wide and in the direction in which the ground slopes ;
and then you will have no standing water about your
trees. Tlie water does not stagnate but runs off. And then,
by this method, I can set five trees while you are setting one
with the spade." Dr. Long ridged his wet land and plant-
ed upon these ridges, and succeeded well in growing his
trees. In regard to deep planting, the Dr. also says, " we
must be very careful about digging a deep hole — deep plant-
ing is very injurious to apple trees for the reason above named,
besides you deter many from setting out trees by telling them
that they must subsoil, dig great holes, and underdrain."

Mr. Baldwin was of opinion that it was not often necessary to
subsoil and underdrain in planting an apple orchard, and would
state in reference to the whole subject, that any body who wishes
to make trees grow must consult nature. We know where the

ORCHARDS. 73

soil is wet constantly, trees will not grow. Surface draining,
or some other method, must be adopted to drain the land, that
the soil may be adapted to the cultivation of fruits. Do this,
and your trees will grow. Neglect it and they will not grow.
Persons who set out grape vines, for example, in the mud,
and expect them to grow and produce fruit, will be disap-
pointed. Better not set them out at all. I repeat, we must,
in this matter, consult nature. (We should recollect that the
opinions expressed by Dr. Long, and Mr. Baldwin are in refer-
ence to tree planting in the deep soil on the prairies.

A correspondent of the American Agriculturist, one of
the most valuable journals of the kind in the United States,
in regard to " digging holes for trees,'' says, " There is a deal
of good horticultural sweat wasted in digging holes for trees?
when we dig so deep and wide as the fathers in horticulture
have taught. There are unfinished portions of creation, of
course, where, in planting an apple tree, it may be necessary
to remove a load of gravel, and bring a load and a half of
soil — growing trees, as it were, in pots. But would it not
save transportation to pack up one's baggage and decamp
from such places ? In a fair soil, if the transplanted tree
could but have the earth about it to itself, and not be robbed
by some nimble-rooted green-crop, under the guise of " cul-
tivation," or by grass, or foul Aveeds, of just that ready nutri-
ment which the dismembered tree so sorely needs, 15 or 18
inches is deep enough for the holes. When the tree tops, (lam
thinking of apples), are twenty, thirty, forty feet in diameter,
even the deepest holes the most enthusiastic cultivator ever
perspired in, are insignificant. Manure, too — Avhy put in
under the young tree a Golgotha of bones, old boots, stones,
tin pots and what not? One shovelful of old barn yard
manure will feed a young tree for a year, perhaps more.
Can't we save some of this ardor for the time when the tree
needs a little pruning, a twig here and there — and, instead of
such extreme generosity with the subsoil at the start, show a
continuous disposition to let the tree have the surface soil,
which it so delights in ? Can't we keep up the enthusiasm
long enough (having secured thrift, which is half the battle

74 ORCHARDS.

against insects), to keep vigilant watch for the insidious borer ?
But that matter of insects must be taken hold of in great
earnest. The negligence of cultivators in this respect is cost-
ing the nation many millions."'*'

In digging holes for the trees, the practice of the author is,
when the soil is slaty or shallow, to dig them 15 or 20 inches
deep, and wide enough for spreading out all the roots in their
natural position. Then subsoil the holes or ^:>Za<?es, viz : dig
up and pulverize the bottom with a pickaxe or long bladed
mattock, to the depth of six or eight inches.f This gives a
depth of pulverized earth, when the hole is well filled, of
about twenty four or twenty six inches. Where trees are
allowed the tap-root, this mode of preparation is far the best ;
and trees with no tap roots are benefitted by the additional
drainage and retention of moisture thus secured. (Something
more will be said in regard to tap roots in the course of this
work.) It does not matter how deep or how wide the holes
are dug, the wider and deeper the better, provided they are
well filled with good rich soil, mixed with a handful! or two
of bone dust or lime — pack a little, and place the soil close
around the roots, and fill up to a point that will allow the
tree to set, when the work is finished, 7io deejyer than it stood
in the nursery.

* It is the practice in the West, where the soil is drained and naturally
deep and mellow, after the ground has been deeply ploughed and well
harrowed, to make the holes or places for setting trees with the plough,
by simply marking out the surface at the proper distances, and setting
the trees at the intersections. This is done by running in the same fnr-
row several times.

t When the ground is elevated and the bottom of the holes slaty or
gravelly, fill in to the depth of 3 or 4 inches with clayey soil from the
ditch banks.

PREPARATION OF THE TREES.

As a general thing, trees are placed in the ground pre-
cisely as they are sent from the nursery. In removing a
tree, no matter how carefully it may be done, a portion of the
roots are broken and destroyed, and consequently the balance

ORCHARDS. 75

that existed in the structure of the tree is deranged. This
must be restored by a proper pruning, adapted to the size,
form and condition of the tree, as follows :

Standard Orchard Trees. — These, as sent from the
nursery, vary from jBve to eight feet in height, with naked
stems or trunks, and a number of branches at the top forming
a head. These branches should be {someivhat shortened) cut
back to within three or four buds of their base. This lessens
the demand upon the roots, and enables the remaining buds
to push with vigor. In the case of older trees of extra size, the
pruning must be in proportion ; as a general thing, it will be
safe to shorten all the previous year's shoots to three or four
buds at their base, and where the branches are very numerous,
some may be cut out entirely. Although the above " hints
on transplanting," are from the pen of an experienced nur-
seryman, yet, we think, as regards pruning or preparing a
tree for transplanting, the writer recommends rather a free
use of the knife. Much, however, in our judgment depends
on the condition of the tree, and the preservation of the roots
in taking them up. With the usual fair proportion of roots,
as taken from the nursery, and careful setting, such severe
pruning as " cutting back to within three or four buds
of their base," is rather retarding the growth, and jeop-
ardizing the life of the young tree. The fact must be that
the tree needs some branches as well as roots, and will lose
less, and grow more vigorously, under favorable circum-
stances, with a moderate proportion of the former. We shall
quote other authorities on the subject, as this writer truly says,
more fatal errors are committed m iJTeparing young trees for
transplanting than on any other operation connected with
rearing trees.

Pyramidal Trees. — '' If of two or three years' growth,
with a number of side branches, will require to be pruned
with a two-fold object in view, viz : The growth of the tree
and the desired form. The branches must be cut in the form
of a pyramid by shortening the lower ones, say one half?
those above them shorter, and the upper ones around the lead-
ing shoot to within two or three buds of their base. The

76 ORCHARDS. •

leader itself must be shortened back one half or more. When
trees have been dried or injured much by exposure, the prun-
ing must be closer than if in good order.

Dwarf Standard Trees and Dwarf Bushes must be
pruned as recommended for standards, aiming at producing
a round, well proportioned head, with the main branches reg-
ularly distributed, and far enough apart to admit air enough
to all parts.

Geartixg Trees intended for Pyramids. — Some of
these may have a few side branches, the smallest of v\'hich
should be cut clean away, reserving only the strongest and
best placed. In other respects they will be pruned as directed
for -trees of two years' growth.

Those having no side branches should be cut back so far as
to insure the production of a tier of branches within six inches
or less of the ground. A strong yearling four to six feet,
may be cut back about half, and the weaker ones more than
that. It' is better to cut too low than not low enough, for if
the first tier of branches be not low enough, the pyramidical
form cannot afterwards be perfected.

Planting. — Although very full directions for planting will
be given in the course of this work, yet, the views of the ex-
cellent author we are quoting on this subject, are so simple
and valuable, that, to omit them here would lessen the
importance of this part of the work of the orchardist.

" Dig holes in the first place, large enough to admit the
roots of the tree to spread out in their natural position.
Then having the tree pruned as above directed, let one per-
son hold it in an upright position, and the other shovel in the
earth, carefully putting the finest and best from the surface
in among the roots, filling every interstice, and bringing every
root in contact with the soil. When the earth is nearly filled
in, a pail of water may be thrown on to settle and wash in the
earth around the roots ; then fill in the remainder, and tread
gently with the foot. The use of water is seldom nece'ssary,
except in dry weather, early in Fall or late in Spring. Guard
agaii^st planting too deep ; the trees, after the ground settles,
should stand in this respect as chey did in the nursery. Trees

ORCHARDS. 77

on dwarf stocks should stand so that all the stock be under
the ground, and no more.''

In very dry gravelly ground, the holes should be dug twice
th? usual size and depth, and filled with good loamy soil.

"Staking. — If trees are tall and much exposed to vWnds, a
stake should be planted ivith the tree^ to which it should be
tied in such a manner as to avoid chafing. A piece of mat-
ting or cloth may be secured between the tree and the
stake." (The author is of opinion that some flat rocks around
the roots when they are at hand are much better than stakes,
as they help to retain the moisture, and the weight
keeps the tree in its upright position, without the risk of
being chafed, besides securing free motion to the tree — but
staking is not needful in ordinary cases, if the trees are well
set.

" Mulching. — When the tree is planted, throw around it
as far as the roots extend, and a foot beyond, five or six
inches of rough manure or litter. This is highly advantageous
everywhere, both in Spring and in Fall planting. It pre-
vents the ground from baking or cracking, and maintains an
equal temperature about the roots." Leaves are the natural
and best mulching, especially when partly decayed, with a
few brush to hold them around the trees ; and when the fruit
ripens, remove the brush and there is a good protection from
bruises and dirt.

"After Culture. — (The fruit grower cannot be too often
reminded of the advantage of culture.) " The grass should
not be allowed to grow around young trees after being planted,
as it stunts their growth and utterly ruins them. The ground
should be kept clean and loose around them, until at least they
are of bearing size.

" Treatment of trees that have heen frozen in the packages^
or received during frosty weather — Place the packages,
unopened, in the cellar or some such place, but free from
frost, until perfectly thawed, when they can be unpacked, and
either planted or placed in a trench, until convenient to plant.
Thus treated they will not be injured by freezing. Trees
procured in the Fall for Spring planting, should be laid in

78 ORCHARDS.

trenches in a slanting position to avoid the winds ; the situa-
tion should also be sheltered, and the soil dry. A mulching
on the roots and a few evergreen boughs over the tops, will
afford a good protection."

" The above valuable hints on '' Transplanting and Prepar-
ation of the Trees," are from the Descriptive Catalogue of
Fruits of Elwanger & Barry, Rochester, N. Y.

DISTANCE BETWEEN TREES IN PLANTATIONS.

According to Downing, "the distance at which trees should
be planted in an orchard depends upon the mode in which
they are to be treated. When it is desired fully to cover
and devote the whole ground to the trees, thirty feet apart is
the proper interval ; but, where the farmer wishes to keep the
land between the trees in grain and grass, fifty feet is not too
great a distance in strong soils. Forty feet apart, however,
is the usual distance at which the trees are planted in orchards."
We object to '•'• grain and grabs'' in orchards, as such cultiva-
tion is insufficient. Hoed crops are almost indispensable, and
they should not be grown nearer than four feet from the trees,
as they deprive the trees of a portion of the moisture and food
so much needed for luxuriant and healthy growth, always
to be desired in young trees. Nothing should be grown im-
mediately under a tree, and there the cultivation should be
with the hoe, and not too deep. Experienced cultivators, how-
ever, allow that buckwheat may be cultivated with advantage
in strong soils.

Thirty feet apart, then, is the proper distance in good soils,
allowing hoed crops until the trees are getting large, and then
give the whole ground to the trees — this will ensure quick
growth and early bearing.

In addition to v. hat has already been said on this subject,
the views of a few more writers might be useful to the farmer
in arrano;ing; his orchard.

Under the head of "Laying Off," Mr. .Bucknall recom-
mends thirty-three feet apart for large standard trees, with
two dwarf trees or bushes between, which may be removed as
the large trees require the room they occupy. See also the

ORCHARDS. 79

view6 of Mr. Christ, under the same head, who recommends
three rods by two and a half, under certain modifications, as
the proper distance between the trees.

Coles, in his American Fruit Book, says, "As to the dis-
tance between apple trees, much depends on circumstances.
A person wanting many kinds on a small space, should set
thick and shorten in the limbs as they interfere, and in due
time cut away the poorest trees. In general, orchard culture
thirty to thirty-three feet is a good distance. Some set forty
feet apart, but it allows only about twenty-eight trees to the
acre, and will be a long time, if ever, before they cover the
land. When set two rods apart, peach, plum, or cherry trees
may be set between them ; and in most cases these trees will
flourish, bear and fail, before the apple trees will need the
room. In devoting land w^holly to the apple, Vv^e would put
100 trees on an acre (almost twenty-one feet apart), and they
would bear many years before interfering, and then cut away
the poorest trees."

We close this article with a quotation from Coxe, an authority
of the highest reputation on the cultivation and management
of orchards: "The first thing to be determined upon in the
planting of an orchard is, the proper distance of the trees ;
if a mere fruit plantation be the object, the distance may be
small; if the cultivation of grain be in view (we object to
that), the space between the trees must be wider; at 30 feet
apart an acre will contain 48 trees; at 35 feet, 35 trees; at
40 feet, 27 trees; and at 50 feet, about. 18 trees to the acre.
It will probably be found that 40 feet is the most eligible dis-
tance for a farm orchard. It will admit sufficient sun and air
in our dry, warm climate ; and, until the trees shall be fully
grown, will allow of a profitable application of the ground to
the cultivation (of other crops) grain and grass.* In the ar-
rangement of an orchard^ 2?Iant each kind in distinct contigu-
ous rows."

"^In yards and lawns, where grass must be cultivated among the trees,
a space some three or four yards in diameter around the trees should be
kept clear of grass, and may be dug up, mulched, and manured, thereby
accelerating the growth of the trees, improving the quality of the fruit,
and protecting from injury the portion that falls to the ground.

80 ORCHARDS.

TKANSPLANTIXG.

^'Plantins;, in gardening and agricultm^e, implies the setting
of a plant or tree ; which, being moved from its former place,
is fixed in a fresh cavity proportioned to its size."

The whole art of transplanting is a very simple affair, re-
quiring only care and attention, and there is not much differ-
ence of opinion among authors and fruit growers on this sub-
ject. The ground having been deeply ploughed or dug, and
the holes or places prepared as directed in the preceding
pages; choose a time in either Fall or Spring, when the ground
is not wet or frozen — November and March are, perhaps, the
best months for this operation in the South and West ; although
later in Spring and earlier in Autumn will answer. Some-
times there are spells during the winter months very favorable
to planting, and the author has succeeded well in planting
trees during mild, dry weather in winter.

In light, puffy, or sandy soil, if such have to be used, Fall
planting is considered best, as the soil will become more set-
tled and compact by the time the trees commence growing.
On stiff clayey soils, Spring planting will do quite as well, if
not better.

The directions contained in the following excellent article,
from the pen of John J. Thomas, Esq., on transplanting in
Autumn, may be considered fully sufficient, under ordinary
circumstances, of tree planting at that season of the year :

" The question is often asked, what is the best time to set
out fruit trees ? Can we do it while the leaves are yet green,
or wait till near winter, after they have fallen? The answer
may be. Do it whenever the work can be well done, and while
the soil is in proper condition, as to dryness, for working
properly. If done early, the leaves must be carefully stripped
off, to prevent the rapid evaporation of moisture. We have
known trees to have been entirely spoiled in a few hours by
wilting, from carelessness in not removing the leaves when
taken up. In the Northern States, nurserymen usually com-
mence digging by the first of October. Some trees have en-
tirely' ceased growing by this time, including generally, cher-

ORCHARDS. 81

ries, plums, and standard pears. If the leaves are removed,
tliej may now be taken up and transplanted as well as at any
time in x'Vutumn, or the following Spring. Others have not
fully completed the ripening of the young wood, Avliich is
effected through the assistance of the leaves. The only harm
done in taking them up, at this time, is in getting immatured
shoots on some parts of the trees, instead of those well-ripened
and hardened; and the result will be that some of the tips
may be nipped by the frosts of Winter, or they will not start
in Spring with so much certainty and vigor. Hardy kinds,
such as the apple, will not be much injured in this way; and
the peach, although tender, should be shortened back in Spring
in any case.

It will be safe, therefore, with few exceptions, to take up
trees any time after the 1st of October — care being taken to
do the work well, as already indicated.

The soil should be in such condition as to be easily made
fine and mellow, so that it may be filled in perfectly among
the roots without having interstices. Staking against wind,
or eifecting the same purpose by a small mound of earth,
should not be omitted." (These mounds should be removed
in the course of the Summer — their use is very doubtful. The
stake is injurious, unless carefully wrapped or padded — a few
flac rocks around the stem, where they can be had, is better
than either, as they help to retain the moisture, and no winds
can displace the tree. If the situation is not exposed to high
winds, and the tops are light, no staking is necessary. If the
free motion of a young tree is prevented by staking, it retards
growth and elasticity, and is detrimental to vigor and health.)
We never succeeded better than by taking up trees about
mid-x\utumn, heeling them in by burying the roots and half
the stems for wintering, and setting out early in Spring. They,
however, do quite as well set out in Autumn, provided they
are hardy sorts, and the site is not a windy one. In heeling
in for winter, it is absolutely essential to fill all the interstices
among the roots very compactly with fine earth. Many trees
are needlessly lost by carelessness in this particular. The
roots are injured by dryness or mouldiness, and the mice find
7

82 ORCHARDS.

easy access among tbe cavities. To exclude mice eifectually,
the heeling ground should be clean, and a smooth mound raised
on all sides about the trees.

General Directions. — " Dig holes, in the first place, large
enough to admit the roots of the tree to spread out in their
natural position. Then, having the tree propeily pruned, let
one person hold it in an upright position and the other shovel
in the earth, carefully putting in the finest and best from the
surface in among the roots, filling every interstice, and bring-
ing every root in contact with the soil. When the earth is
nearly filled, a pail of water may be thrown on to settle and
wash in the earth around the roots ; then fill in the remainder,
and tread gently with the foot. The use of water is seldom
necessary, except in dry weather, early in Fall, or late in
Spring. Guard against planting too deep; the trees, after
the ground settles, should stand, in this respect, as they did
in the nursery. Trees on dwarf stocks should stand so that
all the stock be under the ground, and no more. In very dry,
gravelly ground, the holes should be dug twice the usual
size and depth, and filled with good loamy soil." [Ellwan-
der tf* Barry.) We endorse the above, and shall proceed to
quote other authors on this subject.

Coxe, in his "View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees in
the United States," says :

" The proper season for planting will be found to depend
on a variety of circumstances. In liojht soils, the Winter set-
ties the earth around the roots, and best secures them against
drought — it is a time of leisure to the farmer. In stiff, wet
soils, Spring planting is preferred, other things being equal.
Have planted at both seasons, and generally found that care
and attention ensured corresponding success in the growth of
trees. In whatever season an orchard is planted, be careful
to extend the roots in every direction; to cut off all wounded
parts, and especially not to plant too deep ; plant with about
three inches of earth over the upper tier of roots — which will
make it about two inches deeper than it stood in the nursery ;
after^being partially covered, the tree should be well shaken,
to admit the finer particles of earth among the fibrous roots ;

ORCHARDS. 83

and let it be well settled by treading the earth around it.
The tops of young trees should never be shortened, lest it
produce a growth of suckers — the top may be thinned out, if
found too heavy. If the trees have been a long time out of
of the nursery, and the roots have become shriveled at the
time of planting, pour a pail of water around each tree."

There is some discrepancy here between Coxe and other
authors as regards planting, &c. Although he warns the
farmer against '^ deep planting^'' yet he plants two inches
deeper than the tree originally stood in the nursery, which is
at variance with most authors. Next, he says, the trees should
be loell shaken to admit the finer particles of earth around the
roots. This shaking or cJiurning^ as some call it, is objected
to by some authors, who maintain that filling in the interstices
with fine earth is sufficient, if well done. Then he says,
" The tops of young trees should never be shortened, lest it
produce a growth of suckers." As to the practice of planting
deeper than the tree stood in the nursery, some allowance
must be m.ade for the settling of the earth around the tree, so
that the depth will remain the same as when the tree grew in
the nursery. As to shaking or churning, when the hole is
partially filled, if moderately done, should it be of no advan-
tage, it can do no harm. Downing says: "Pruning the heads
of transplanted trees, at the time of their removal, we think
generally an injurious practice." We are of the same opin-
ion, unless their roots are dried, have been frozen, or improp-
erly managed, when it might be necessary to use the knife
freely.

Downing also says that, "More than half the losses in or-
chard planting in America arises from deep planting^ and the
equally common mode of crowding the earth too tightly about
the roots. No tree should be planted deeper than it formerly
grew, as its roots are stifled from want of air, or starved by
the poverty of the soil at the depth where they are placed."

Coles, in his "American Fruit Book," says, in regard to
setting trees : "The land and holes being prepared as named,
and the broken roots cut off", set the tree and place the roots
in their natural position, and so that they will not run down-

84 ORCHARDS.

ward, and separate those that lie together; carefully guard
against setting too deep^ especially on cold, moist land. Let
the upper roots lie a few inches below the surface, when the
earth is leveled. The roots being adjusted, place fine loam on
them, filling up closely under the heel of the tree,* and all
around the roots so as to leave no cavitv ; treadino; it down
gently, that it may come in close contact with the roots. Do
not shake tJtetree^ as this will displace the small fibres. The
hands should be used, not the foot, or a harsh implement, in
adjusting the roots and applying the soil."

" When the hole is filled up level, if it be in Spring, make a
cavity to catch the rain. If it be in Fall, make a broad mound
around the tree eight or ten inches high, to keep the roots
warm, throw off" the water, and support the tree. Place a few
stones close by the tree, bedded firmly in the mound, then lay
sods between the tree and the stones, and press them down
closely. Thus set, no stakes are necessary, as the trees Avill
stand a hurricane. It takes but a few minutes to make the
mound and fasten the tree. In the Spring, remove the mound
and make a cavity, as in Spring setting."

The best season for transplanting is from November to
March; because the generality of plants, trees, shrubs, &c.,
during those months are in a dormant state, and receive but
little injury from their removal ; provided the roots are well
preserved, and the weather open. The quality of the soil, as
well as the climate, situation and exposure, should, therefore,
be relatively consulted. It will also be necessary to mark the
sides of trees or plants on which they are exposed to the sun,
and place them exactly in the same direction ; for otherwise
the circulation of the sap is prevented or retarded, and their
growth consequently impeded. Farther, the roots must be
properly spread before the plant is settled in the ground, when
a portion of fine mould should be strewed over them ; and on
being sprinkled with water, the whole ought to be closely
pressed down to the consistence of unbroken earth. Next,
some coarse litter or mulching should be scattered on the spot

*This is facilitated by preparing a small mound in the bottom of the
hole of fine loam or earth.

ORCHARDS. 85

in order to prevent tlie roots from being injured by the frost;
and, if the trees are exposed to winds, it will be advisable to
support them with stakes, during the first year at the least;
such stakes, however, must be carefully fixed in a triangular
direction, inclining towards the tree at the top, in an angle of
thirty or forty degrees; and at such depth that they maj^ not
interfere with the roots. It will also be proper to insert a few
battens between the stakes, and to intertw^ine them with small
birch or other twigs or wrappings that will not damage the
bark, while they admit free passage to the rain water ; by this
simple contrivance, the bark is at the same time effectually
secured from the rot.

Having quoted several authors on transplanting w^ho, in the
main, agree as to all essentiL^l points, we shall close this article
with our own views, and those which we have adopted from
the most prominent and reliable sources.

The art of successfully removing trees from one location to
another is a very simple, and yet a very important job ; for no
tree improperly set will ever prosper as it should.

Select any good soil, not Avet. that would produce a good crop
of corn, tobacco, or potatoes, or, if it has been manured, and
raised either of these crops the previous year, so much the
better. Stake out your land according to directions under that
head — twenty-five or thirty feet apart each way will do very
well; dig the holes sixteen to eighteen inches deep,* and much
larger than the roots extend — from three to six feet in diam-
eter, according to the size of the tree ; small, thrifty trees are
the best, as they suffer less in removal, are more sure to take
root, and will often surpass in growth much larger trees.
Throw away the subsoil by scattering it all around with the
shovel. If the hole or cavity is too deep for the tree, fill it
up with good surface soil, which- may be mixed with well pul-
verized manure — compost in which bog or ditch mud, well
decomposed, predominates is best — to which may be added,

^It is best when the holes are of proper depth, and cleaned out, to dioj
up the bottom with the mattock five or six inches — let the subsoil remain,
then fill in with rich soil.

86 ORCHARDS.

and well mixed, a pint or a quart of bone dust, according to
the size of the tree.

Let some one hold the tree upright in its place, spread out
the roots carefully in their natural directions, and fill in the
soil carefully, working it in well among the roots with your
fingers, so that no holes or interstices will be left for the air to
affect the roots. Previously to setting the tree a small hillock
should be made in the hole at or near the centre to fit the sole
or heel of the tree, so that it may stand firm and steady.
When the roots are covered some two or three inches with soil,
take hold of the stem and give a ditjlit churning, which helps
to settle the fine earth about the small roots ; then press gently
with the foot; throw in more soil, and repeat the pressing
with the foot — observing at the same time that the tree stands
erect. When the hole or cavity is quite filled up, the tree
should stand about as deep as it stood in the nursery, which
may be known by the appearance of the bark at the root.
Some orchardists set one or two inches deeper, to allow for
settling of the earth. It is also proper to preserve a slight
cavity around the tree to catch the rain, if you plant in Spring.
If you set in Fall, have it a little sloping around from the
stem. If the weather is dr}^, dash a pail of water around the
tree to settle the ground and furnish the moisture, if it is
needed.

In regard to staking, a few rocks, flat ones if you can get
them, placed around the stem will answer a better purpose
than stakes.

If the above directions are followed, there can be no doubt
of luxuriant growth and a good start for the young orchard.
Do not work deep near the trees — stir often, and keep out the
grass, and the growth even of the first year will be consid-
erable.

ORCHARDS. 8<

MARKING FRUIT TREES.

On a leaf of the farm book or journal, let the farmer put
down a map of his orchard thus, every dot standing for an
apple tree :

NORTH.

Suinuier —

Summer Summer Golden CJoldcii Early Eaily

Junoating. do. Queen. Queen. Dixie. Dixie. Harvest. Harvest.

Fall—
Rambo. Rambo. Baldwin. Baldwin. Pryor's Red. Fryer's do. FallPip'n. P'allP'n.

Winter-
Wine Sap. Wine Sap. W^ine Sap. Wine Sap. Alb. Pip'n. Alb. Plp'n. Alb.Pip'n. Alb. P'n.

*

^ ^

■7=-

^

*

•X-

■s

Winter-
Northern
Spy.

Northern Limber-
Spy, twig.

Limber-
twig.

Rawle's
Genet.

Rawle's
Genet.

Winter
Cheese.

Winter
Cheese.

The upper part of the map is north. Then, by counting
rows, and the number of the trees in the row, the tree repre-
sented by each dot can be identified, and the name of the
fruit should be under each dot as shown above. There are
other modes, but this is the most convenient and simple.

CULTIVATION OF ORCHARDS.

The soil beneath and around fruit-trees, till they arrive at
their full size, should by no means be neglected ; as the
excellence and maturity of the fruits, will in a great measure
depend upon its proper culture . . . Hence, no grass or
weeds should be suifered to groAv under the trees ; but the
ground ought to be frequently stirred with the spading fork,
mattock, or hoe; but not so deep as to interfere with the roots
near the stems of young trees. The ground between the
rows should be well cultivated with the plough; and root
crops may be grown while the trees are youiig. When the

88 ORCHARDS.

trees become large and spreading, the "whole of the ground
should be appropriated to the use of the trees.

The advantage of frequently breaking the crust and stir-
ring the soil, especially under the trees, is of great benefit,
as it allows the fertilizing particles of rain, air, dew, snow, &c.,
more easily to penetrate into the earth, and produce benefi-
cial effects on the roots — such cultivation is likewise one of the
most effectual means of preserving them in a sound and heal-
thy state, and is most fatal to depredating insects. If manure
is freely given between the trees, the soil will be thus so
much imprvovd as to serve for raising the most abundant crops
of vegetable roots: particularly, turnips and j^otatoes. The
former are peculiarly calculated for this purpose ; as they
do not exhaust the soil in any degree equal to the impover-
ishing effects of the latter. In fact, in order to secure the
very best results, the groivn up orchard also should be as
well manured, and as highly cultivated as a garden, and the
soil kept loose and light all tlte time, no other crops being
allowed among the trees.

A correspondent some years ago, under the signature T.,
in the Albany Cultivator^ gives the following very valuable
advice in regard to the culture and mana<iement of fruit trees.

'' Nothing has operated more to check improvement, than
the neglect of young trees after they are once set out. The
man who plants fifty peach trees into meadow ground, and
loses one half by being smothered with the growth of
the grass, and the other half the following Winter, by
the gnawings of meadow mice, will not be long in becom-
ing disheartened in fruit culture. He who sets out a hundred
apple trees in grass land, or in ground devoted to the cul-
tivation of wheat and oats, where tripple the time necessarily
required, elapses before the trees bear, satisfies himself and
his neighbors that he who plants young trees only plants for
posterity. No conclusion can be more erroneous, no practice
more pernicious to horticultural improvement. "When the
best management is given — and the best is incomparably the
cheapest and most economical — young trees, no larger than
a cari*iage whip, may be brought into a good bearing state, in

ORCHARDS. 89

an incredibly short time. One of the finest,- most productive
and most profitable peach orchards in the whole State of
New York, is only seven years since setting out. No crop is
raised among the trees, but the ground is kept clean and
mellow by plowing and harroAving. A very celebrated fruit
garden and orchard was planted by the proprietor after age
had marked his hair with silvery whiteness ; he has now for
twenty years enjoyed the luxury of plentiful crops from his
trees, and is still in the vigor of life. His success was chiefly
owing to good transplanting — digging the holes six feet in
diameter, and filling them with fine rich earth — and to
thorough cultivation of the soil for several subsequent years.
There are various degrees of good and bad treatment,
w^hich from their common or uncommon occurrence, deserve
to be pointed out.

1. The worst of all is to transplant young trees to a mea-
dow, and worst of all a clover meadow. An orchard of sev-
eral hundred peach trees was noticed last Summer, which
had been set out in a clover lot the previous Spring or
Autumn, and though the trees appeared to have been of fine
growth before transplanting, not one in twenty was alive. If
it ever becomes necessary to set out young trees in meadow
ground, each row must stand on a ploughed strip of land, at
least seven feet wide, kept constantly clean and melloAv.

2. Next to meadows, placing young trees among grain
crops sown broadcast is the worst. They may in such cir-
cumstances, survive removal, but, it is impossible for them
to make much growth. Young trees, standing in well hoed
potato crops, have been observed to make at least six times
greater length of growth in one season than trees standing
in wheat fields. Corn, though greatly shading young trees
by its tall growth, is far better than wheat, oats or barley, in
consequence of the hoeing and cultivation which is given.

3. The only crops which should be tolerated, are low, hoed
crops, as ruta bagas, carrots, field beets, potatoes, &c.

4. But the best mode altogether, is to keep the ground
clean and mellow for several feet distant (six to ten) from
the young trees.

90 ORCHARDS.

" While trees are yet young and small, the wide intermedi-
ate spaces between the rows may be cultivated with roots,
leaving about one-third of the land in unoccupied strips next
the trees. But when the trees become large, it is far the
best not to attempt the raising of any other than the fruit
crop. If the trees are of good varieties, the increase in the
amount borne, and in the quality and value, where the whole
surface is left perfectly free for annual ploughing and monthly
harrowing, will many times overbalance the w^orth of any
other crop, which may be derived from the ground, to say
nothinsr of the inconvenience resultinor from treadins; down
this other crop in gathering the fruit. All crops necessarily
abstract the nourishment which should go to the tree, and pre-
vent that thorou2;h and constant stirrinn; which should be mven
to the soil. Young trees, the past season, were found to have
made nearly double the growth, where the soil was kept clean
and unincumbered, compared with tliose which stood among
well cultivated root crops."

There are many and various modes employed by unskillml
and negligent farmers to injure or destroy their young trees.
Some will set tliem out in the most approved mode recom-
mended by the fathers in horticulture, and, afterculture is
never thought of by them. They neglect to inclose the young
orchard with a sufficient fence, and the 7jn'lch cows go there
and prune them for him. Another will suffer the scions to
remain out of the ground, until the sun, wind and frost have
shriveled them past redemption, and his buckets of water will
avail nothing. Others plant well — put the orchard in grass, a
luxuriant crop of hay is grown, a dry season comes on, and
the trees are dried up, smothered and lost. In this case,
perhaps, the nurseryman is blamed for sending out sickly trees
in improper condition. But the two great causes of the un-
successful setting of young orchards, in the South, are, plant-
ing TOO DEEP and the neglect of afterculture.

In Thomas' excellent book, "The Fruit Culturist," we find
the following directions for ploughing among fruit trees.

"Arrange the horses, when they work near the line of trees,
one before the other, tandem; let a boy ride the forward one,

ORCHARDS. 91

use long traces, and a short whiffle-tree (single-tree) and
place the whole in charge of a careful man, who knows that
one tree is worth more than fifty hills of corn or potatoes,
and no danger may be feared." It is, however, safest to use the
mattock or spading-fork just under the trees, whether they be
large or small, and Avhether the trees have been mulched or
not. If the mulch is in the way, remove a part of it and re-
place it when the work is done. If trees are well mulched,
say 3 or 4 inches in depth, and as far out as the limbs extend,
they require but little work immediately under the tree. It
is improper to mulch too deep, as the air and Avarmth may be
excluded to the disadvantage of the health and free growth
of the trees. In working under the trees, the spading-fork is
better than the spade or plough, as there is much less damage
done to the roots, when that implement is carefully used.

In the usual way of ploughing orchards, the careless plough-
man will have uo be strictly watched. He will be very apt to
allow the top of his hames to bruise and break these tender
spreading branches nearest the ground. If he can get his
migle-tree near enough, he will tear off a portion of the ten-
der bark of the trunk, and, if the wound is large, the tree is
fatally injured, and had as well be removed and another put
in its place. These injuries are frequently inflicted by igno-
rant, thoughtless persons, who can form no proper estimate of
the damage thus sustained by the tree

The thrift and free growth of young trees may be greatly
accelerated by the use of diluted soft soap, home-made is best ;
rub it en up and down the stem, with a coarse rag or brush,
as has already been recommended in this work. The author
has practiced this in his own orchard, and hioivs it will act as
a charm. It loosens and takes oif the moss and any extraneous
matter adhering to the stems, including insects, their eggs,
larva, cocoons, &c., and the process may be extended to the
larger limbs as far as a man can reach. This operation is
best performed in the Spring, and once or twice during the
Summer and Fall. Grown up trees may be treated in the
same way, provided they have been well scraped, so as not to
injure the smooth bark, with a hoe or some other dull tool,

92 ORCHARDS.

to remove the rough bark that curls up and is ready to peel
off; and which is the hiding place for insects. Besides these
advantages, the soapsuds (which must not he too thick or too
strong for very young trees) is diluted by the rains and grad-
ually washed off, nourishing the roots and leaving the young
stems smooth and green. This stimulating process is so highly
beneficial to the luxuriant growth of young trees, that the
farmer or orchardist should not fail to practice it. The old
and the grown up trees of the orchard may receive the same
treatment, and with the same satisfactory results ; and the
size, flavor and quality of the fruit will be greatly improved.

In illustration of our ideas on this subject, we append the
following extract from an article on Fruit, by J. S. Skinner,
of the "Farmers' Cabinet," written about twenty-three years
ago:

"From some facts which I have seen but lately, apparently
on good authority, I am inclined to think that, like some ani-
mals, fruit trees become hide bound, and that like them, also,
a good scrubbing and cleaning, to open the pores and promote
free perspiration, would grcatl}^ contribute to their health. I
have lately met with the following statement, which seems
highly worthy of attention. It is known to all who know
anything of botany, that the bark of a tree when divided
horizontally, presents three parts ; liher^ or inner bark, which
lies next to the wood; the cellular tissue, or iKirenchyma^
distinguished in the bark of a tree by its fine color, but color-
less in the bark of the roots ; and lastly, the ejndermis, or
outward bark, which is the universal covering of every part
of a tree. _ Now the experiment to which I refer, to ascertain
the effect of removing this rough, hardened epidermis^ or out-
side coating, from the trunk and limbs of a very large and
aged pear tree, was this : the limbs, or branches of the tree,
as is often the case in Europe, were trained espalier fashion,
or horizontally along the west wall, the branches extending
in the most perfect order on each side of the large trunk.
The stem or body of the tree was cleared of the rough- ei[>\-
dermis entirely, and the branches on one side also were treated
in like manner. The branches which extend on the other

ORCHARDS. 93

side of the stem, had only every alternate branch stripped of
the rough, hardened epidermis. Previously to this, the tree
had for many years ceased to bear fruit, except occasionally
one or two at the extremity of the upper branches. The first
season after the above operation, the foliage assumed a lux-
uriant and healthy appearance on the decorticated half of the
branches, and, in the course of the second year, numerous
fruit buds were formed, which in due time produced a fine
crop of fruit of excellent quality, while those on the other
side, on which the epidermis was suff"ered to remain, continued
barren. The application of soft soap (soapsuds, he has it)
would have secured a yet higher degree of health and fertility.
I have observed in the garden of John Willis, at Oxford, in
Maryland — one of the best practical horticulturists I ever
knew — that the bodies of his bearing fruit trees were — to use
almost the strongest fi^rure I can employ — as smooth, as clean,
as polished, and as fresh looking as the arm of a beautiful
young bride when just stripped of its glove to receive the
wedding ring. The truth is, disguise or shy it as we may,
young trees require as much watching and "cleaning, washing
and nursing, and to undergo as many vermifugent opera-
tions as young children do ; and those who cannot make up
their minds to bestow strict and careful attention on both,
had better make up their minds not to get either the one or
the other ; for in both cases they will deserve the stigma,
which should always be afiixed to cruel and unnatural parents,
who willfully neglect their young ones."

The above article called forth at the time the following
piquant but complimentary remarks from Mr. Botts, editor of
the Southern Planter:

"As soon as we came to the women and children mixed up
with apple, pear and plum trees, we knew whose signature
we should find appended to the communication which w^e have
transcribed from the ''Fanners Cabinet.'' Mr. Skinner is
one of the most racy, piquant and original writers in this
country."

It is to be hoped the young fiirmer will not be deterred
from his operations in the orchard, or anywise discouraged by

94 ORCHARDS.

what Mr. Skinner has said concerning the "washing and
nursincr" of YOung trees. Nothing valuable is attained with-
out some labor and attention, and the rewards of both are
sure — especially as regards fruit culture. It is pleasant
and healthful to work among the trees, and it is attended with
results satisfactory in ratio Avith the means expended.

ADDITIONAL REMARKS ON CULTIVATION AND
THOROUGH PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.

It may not be improper in this place to reiterate and
still further insist on the importance of thorough ijrepa-
ration of the soil intended for fruit trees — and,, indeed,
for nearly all vegetable crops. The labor thus expended in
advance, may be somewhat tedious, and, perhaps, expensive,
but it is capital well laid out ; for the after culture will always
be light and easy, when the soil is once well and deeply bro-
ken, and the manure well mixed with the soil, if it is needed;
thrift, free growth, and early bearing are secured, and the
benefit appertaining to all these things, is exactly in proportion
to the degree of drainage, pulverization, &c., of the soil thus
thoroughly effected.

If we study the nature and character of plants, says a
Western writer, we find that they take up food through their
roots — chiefly through the ends of their roots, which are called
spongioles, from their resemblance to a sponge — which is
carried in the sap to the leaves and branches, where it extracts
other nourishment from the air. This food can only be taken
up in a solution of water, and consequently there must be
moisture in the soil if we expect plants to thrive. In order
to do this, we must loosen the soil, so that the roots can get
down where the moisture is. In a dr}^ time we need not ex-
pect tender roots to force their way where it is impossible for
a strong man to force a crowbar. We must mellow up the
soil. All agree that we can raise crops of every description,
if it will only rain when we need it. But we cannot make it
rain, and we must find some way to get moisture without it.
Can we do this? I think we can, and Avill attempt to show
how. ' It must be done by deep ploughing, and thorough cul-

ORCHAIIDS. 95

tivation. All lands do not require deep ploughing — such as
have an open, porous subsoil for five or six feet or more, like
the Missouri bottoms, some of the lands in the vicinity of
Kansas City, and some other sections of the State. What
we say in fovor of deep ploughing, we think applicable to
our im.mediate vicinity, where we have a tenacious subsoil
within a few inches of the surface There is always the same
amount of water in and about the earth's surface. It is either
in the ground or in the atmosphere, in the form of vapor. In
the winter, there is more in the ground than in summer, for
the reason that the heat of the sun evaporates it, and it exists
in the air in vapor. Whenever this vapor comes in contact
with substances colder than itself, it gives up its heat and is
condensed, again becoming water. We can see it in summer
collected upon the outside of a pitcher of water. The pitcher
looks as though it was sweating. No one believes that it
comes through the pitcher; it must come from the air. If
we breathe upon an axe in winter, we see it covered with frost
or frozen vapor. The cold comes from the axe, the water
from the breath. In summer, every night, when the ground
is not too much parched, the cold earth receives moisture from
the atmosphere in the form of dew. The same process takes
place in the soil.

When we open the soil, and mellow it up deep, so as to
allow the air to circulate freely among its particles, and reach
the lower and cooler portions, the process of condensation takes
place, and moisture is abstracted ; but unless we plough deep
enough, so that the soil below is cooler than the air, no dew
will be deposited. If we take two vessels of pulverized earth,
one six, the other eighteen inches deep, and place them in the
sun, the one eighteen inches deep will be quite moist at the
bottom, while the other will be quite as dry as though baked
in an oven. The one six inches deep becomes hot, and all the
water is evaporated or boiled out of it, while the other is cool
and condenses moisture from the atmosphere. Some will say
there is no moisture in the soil, in a dry time, two feet below
the surface. That is true, unless the ground is mellow. If
it is hard pan, it is impossible for the air to circulate there and

yb ORCHARDS.

give up its moisture. We would not advise turning the surface
soil so very deep all at once, {unless the land is intended for
an orchard). Six inches would do no harm ; but the ground
below should be mellowed with a subsoil plough. This is an
instrument that runs along in the ground like a mole, in the
bottom of a furrow made by the common plough, raising and
pulverizing the earth, breaking up the compact, cold and
water-proof under-stratum of heavy soil, allowing it to fall
back in its former place and leaving the thin layer of vege-
table mold on top where nature placed it. A tolerable good
substitute for the subsoil plough is a narrow, sharp shovel-
plough, with a long shank, that would follow in the bottom of
the other furrow without throwing the dirt out. (A new-
ground coulter is also a good substitute for the subsoil plough.)
The most convenient and expeditious way to subsoil, is to
have one team attached to the common plough, and with an-
other to follow immediately behind with the subsoil plough in
every furrow ; although one team might do the work by
changing ploughs every round.

The effects of all ploughing, whether deep or shallow, is to
admit air, and consequently moisture, to the soil, and to allow
the roots to travel to a greater depth into the loosened par-
ticles in search of food. The subsoil often contains matters
which are deficient in the surface soil. By deep ploughing
these are rendered available, and we admit an increased sup-
ply of atmospheric fertilizers.

PRUNING OF FRUIT TREES.

Pruning in gardening and the culture of trees, denotes the
lopping off exuberant or diseased branches, with a view to
render trees more healthful and fruitful ; to make them grow
higher, and with greater regularity ; to produce larger and
better tasted fruit, and to give them a more handsome and
regular appearance.

Fruit trees in this country are generally grown as standards,
especially apple trees. In this way they require less care,
are better able to develop their natural forms, attain the most
rapid growth, and largest size, and bear the greatest quantity

ORCHARDS. 97

and best quality of fruit, with less labor than in any other
mode. The bright sun of our clime reaching through and
pervading all parts of the tree, supersedes the necessity of
those nice and minute systems, of pruning, so largely illus-
trated and described by British authors on fruit culture. Such
practice is of little or no use here, and our favorable climate
gives us all this advantage over their particular and tedious
operations in this branch of tree culture, made necessary by
an uncongenial climate.

With respect to standards^ Mr. Bucknall says, it will "be
advisable to shorten their branches only, when they are either
too luxuriant, or, by growing irregularly, divert the current of
the sap, and consequently weaken the whole. In such case,
the more vigorous sprouts ought to be closely cut down, in
order to strengthen the other parts ; but these amputations
should not be performed on stone fruit trees, which are very
liable to become affected with the gum, and thus, in a short
time, to perish. It will, therefore, be necessary in the lat-
ter instance, to pinch the straggling shoots early in the
Spring .... But all decaying, or apparently dead branches,
whether belonging to wall or other fruit trees, ought to be
pruned close to the stem ; because by attracting noxious par-
ticles from the air, and admitting too great a degree of moist-
ure into the tree, such useless parts contaminate the halsamic
virtues of the sap, and thus eventually cause the destruction
of the tree, by affording a nest in which insects will deposit
their eggs . . . Lastly, all branches that intersect each
other and thus occasion a confusion in the crown of the tree,
ought likewise to be carefully removed ; and as vigorous
young shoots often spring from old arms near the trunk, and
grow up into the head, they must be annually exterminated ;
lest they should fill the tree w4th too much wood.

In regard to the proper period for commencing this opera-
tion on fruit trees, especially in orchards, Mr. Bucknall is
of opinion that pruning should be practiced in the nursery,
and regularly continued to "the extremity of old age." Thus
it will be advisable to take off only a small quantity of wood
at one time; and by employing his '' medication,'' (or some
8

98 ORCHAKDS.

kind of paint or composition), the wounds Tvill heal without
causing any more blemishes in the tree than those to which it
was subject, at the time when the branch was separated. If
such tree, however, be very old and much encumbered with use-
less wood, it will be proper to cut off all decayed, rotten, or
blighted branches, previously to the operation ; and to rub
them with the preparation above alluded to, with a view to ex-
clude the rain and cold winds . . . Lastly, Mr. B. observes,
the rest may be left to the discretion of each person, who will
soon see how much is necessary ; self-conviction being the
best school for improvement."

The following excellent directions respecting pruning trees,
have been published before ; and though the substance of them
are already given in the course of this work, yet the manner
in which they are here presented to the reader, will be of
advantage, as they cannot be too strongly enforced.

" Any time in the month of March is a proper season to
prune your trees : mind nothing about the moon, for she
concerns herself little about you or your trees, and the sign is
always in the right place when it makes you industrious . . .
There is no part of a farm that yields so great profit with so
little labor as the well cultivated orchard.

"Young trees require to be pruned every year as well as the
old. You should never suifer a sucker to remain near the
root, from one year to another, nor by any means upon the
body or trunk, which you do not intend shall be permanent.

In pruning old trees, and those which have gotten their
growth, observe the following rules :

Cut away no limb near the trunk, nor indeed at any dis-
tance from it, which is too large at the place of incision to
heal or to close over again ; this may be determined by the
thriftiness of the tree, as well as by the size. If by neglect
you have suffered a limb to stand, till it has attained its
growth, it must stand otherwise, by extirpating it, (unless de-
fended by ' ForsytJis composition), you give the tree its
death wound by opening an avenue to the air and water,
whiph induce rottenness, and, in course of time, the limb or
trunk becomes hollow, frequently to the roots.

ORCHARDS. 99

For this reason, no sprout should be suffered to remain in
or near the body of the sapling, which is not designed shall
stand when it has attained its full growth. The long life of
different orchards, soil and situation being equal, will depend
more on the above management than on any other circum-
stance.

" In trimming an orchard, great patience and industry are
required, which will be amply rewarded at the harvest. You
must not only remove all the dead and dry branches, but ex-
tirpate every unnecessary twig and sucker, from each branch,
to its very extremity.

" The more of this labor that is performed, if performed with
judgment, the more thrifty will the treebecome and the fruit will
not only be increased in quantity but much improved in quality.

"When the tops of the branches of your apple trees begin
to die, (which will be much retarded by the above treatment)
they ought to be immediately regenerated, by giving what is
called a new top : This is done by cutting off a few feet of
their extremities, over the whole tree, except cherries, accor-
ding to Forsyth, so as to leave it in a proper form ; if the
trunk is yet tolerably sound, the new branches will grow
thriftily, and bear luxuriantly ; and, if you wish to vary your
fruit, the sprouts after one year's growth, and most frequently
the same year, will be fit for inoculating, which succeeds
equally well in the old as in the young trees, and with which
every farmer ought to be acquainted."

As a general thing in ordinary practice, a careful pruning
to regulate the form and growth of standard trees is about all
that is necessary.

Every fruit tree, says Downing, sJiould be alloived to take
its natural form, the whole efforts of the pruner going no
farther than to take out all weak and crowded branches.

The pruning of large limbs should be avoided by taking
out the superfluous shoots while they are small and tender.
Mr. Coxe, in his useful work on American fruit trees,
says, " when orchard trees are much pruned, they are apt to
throw out numerous (superfluous) suckers from the boughs in
the following Summer ; these should be nibbed off when they

100 ORCHARDS.

first appear, or tliey may be easily broken off while young
and brittle, cutting is apt to increase their number.

In a healthy, well-shaped tree, pruning is considered" ivorse
than useless^'" except the keeping down of a few water sprouts
and suckers at the roots. It should be recollected that the
free growth of a tree somewhat corresponds with, and is de-
pendent on the action of the leaves and limbs ; that if these
are properly distributed and in due proportion, perfect health
is secured, and the use of the knife is but little required.

The best time for pruning to favor luxuriant growth^ accord-
ing to the theory generally received by orchardists, is in the
Fall season, just after the fall of the leaf. Winter is next
best, performed in the mildest of the weather, and, in orchard
pruning, this is the most convenient season. There are favor-
able and unfavorable times appertaining to all seasons for
pruning fruit trees. One of the best American authors, whose
authority is undisputed, remarks, ''^ that for pruning in the
Northern and Middle states^ a fortnight before mid-Summer
is by far the best season, on the whole, for pruning''. We see
no good reason why it should not be in the Southern or Wes-
tern states. The same author continues : " Wounds made at
this season heal over freely and rapidly; it is also the most favor-
able time to judge of the shape and balance of the head, and
to see at a glance which branches require removal; and all
the stock of organizable matter in the tree is directed to the
branches that remain."

When it is necessary to separate large limbs, the saw
should be used ; one that is open, with fine teeth, and in good
order is best. If the branches are not very large, what is
called by carpenters a " tennon saw,'' is much more conven-
ient and less liable to injure the bark.

For small limbs, viz : those from one inch and less in diam-
eter, a pruning chisel is used, and is the most convenient im-
plement. It is a socket chisel, blade about eight inches long,

ORCHARDS. 101

and two inches wide, socket, say five inches long, with basle
on one side of about twelve degrees, the edges in the shape of
a V. It is used with a long handle and a w^ooden mallet to
drive it.

In removing large limbs, it is important to use some kind
of composition to cover the wound, and keep out the water
and air, and prevent the w^ood from cracking until the wound
is healed and covered with new bark. The composition is
also useful in case of the acr^idental Avounding of a tree,
breakage of large limbs from high winds or excessive weight
of fruit.

"Shall we grow trees with branches starting from the ground,
or, shall we prune; and to what height? These and similar
questions, are now often asked. We think it would be super-
fluous to give any instructions in growing fruit trees to low
heads, since for the past sixteen or eighteen years, all our
journals both horticultural and agricultural, have vied with
each other in descriptions, how best to accomplish, as they
supposed, so desirable a result. Indeed, so much has been
written on this point, that Ave have gone from trunks six to
eight feet high, down to as many inches. These low headed
orchards on coming into bearing, have disappointed, or must
soon disappoint their owners. The conditions attending the
growing fruits are now so changed from what they were a few
years since, that trees with low heads, are, in the main, no longer
a success. They increase the labor of cultivation many fold. The
low branches cut off the under circulation, inducing disease in
the foliage, if not in the fruit. They invite insect enemies, and
make it difficult, if not impracticable, to arrest their ravages.
In short, low heads are a failure, and the sooner we can in-
duce people to start the heads of their trees at a proper
height, the sooner will it be possible to successfully destroy
insects, to ward off diseases, to insure color to the fruit, and
make it practicable to cultivate near the trees by means of
horse power."

The above paragraph, from the pen of Dr. E. S. Hull of
Alton, Illinois, is valuable, and coincides with our own views
on the subject. We do not understand, however, what he

102 ORCHARDS.

means by saying that ^'the conditions attending the growing
fruits, are now so changed from what they were but a few
years since that trees with low heads are no longer a suc-
cess." We known of no change attending the conditions
of our fruits.

LOW HEADS RECOMMENDED.

Maj. Brooks, at a discussion on apples at the Xew York
State Fair in 1866, recommends low heads for apple trees.

"Trees have a tendency to produce a surplus of wood; if
it all remains the branches are feebly nourished, and some
die of starvation, after robbing the others. I think that
most trees need to be renewed, like grape-vines, by an an-
nual and moderate removal of small and superfluous branches,
never large ones. I will add that trees, when young, show
an inclination to branch low, which, I think, ought to be re-
spected. Low heads greatly favor picking. Mr. Francis, of
York, picked from low trees thirty-two barrels of apples in a
day. Low branches mulch the ground partially, and in a
degree obviate the necessity of ploughing.

"Another great fault is the omission to *fork over the
ground, or plough it light, often succeeded by deep and reck-
less ploughing^ to the injury of the roots, and often the de-
struction of the tree. When the ground is regularly ploughed
every year or two, and at a uniform depth, the roots will es-
tabhsh themselves below the ploughing, and if the soil is
deep they will do very well. But if cultivation is omitted
for several years, the roots indulge their natural habit of
running near the surface^ and then deep ploughing destroys
many of the tree's best supports. This is especially so on
hard pan and cold tenacious sub-soils, which drive the roots
to the surface. Roots know better where to go than man can
tell them. Nature's method of cultivation is by covering
the ground with leaves, at once manuring the soil and mak-

A good strong garden fork is a valuable tool to work the soil beneath
all fruit trees, and, when it is well used, there is no need of the plow
immediately under the tree. Its use is far less liable to injure the roots,
and the pulverizing of the ground is equally well or better done than
Could be accomplished by the plow, or even the mattock.

ORCHARDS. 103

ing it light and acceptable, as no other process can. Mulch-
ing, where leaves and litter can be obtained, is a wonderfully
cheap and beneficial expedient, and, in mj opinion, may well
take the place of ploughing and the attendant cropping,
which has doubtless done much to render a majority of our
orchards unproductive."

The reader w411 pardon us for introducing the above short
digression, as the writer's remarks are instructive and spicy.

CAUTIONS IN PRUNING.

In pruning very young trees, side shoots should not be cut
off close, but take them off a few inches from the stem. If
cut close, it will induce weakness in the stem, the trees will
bend over, and no manner of staking can save them. In that
case they had better be cut off at the ground, and let them
put up anew. Young trees with numerous branches, taper
off the stem as they branch off upward, which proves that
each branch gives additional strength to the trunk below it ;
as the stem or trunk enlarges and strengthens, take them off
close.

Never allow any person to throw sticks or stones among
the branches of any fruit trees, for the purpose of getting
down straggling apples, or other fruit, as the bark will be
bruised and injured, and it will sometimes cause the decay of
the best limbs in the tree.

No person pruning a tree or gathering fruit, should go
among the branches with hard boots or shoes on, at any sea-
son, and more especially when the sap is up and the bark will
peel. Unless carefully used, the ladders to gather fruit will
bark, bruise and break the limbs, inducing canker and caus-
ing rotten limbs.

MEDICATION FOR THE WOUNDS OF FRUIT TREES.

Forsyth's Composition. — Take fresh cow-dung and mix
with it human urine and soap-suds; when well mixed, it should
be of the consistence of thick paint. It should be laid on
the wounded parts with a painter's brush to the thickness of

104 ORCHARDS.

al)Out one-eiglith of an inch, and the edges finished off as
thin as possible. Next, five parts of dry pulverized wood
ashes should be mixed with one part of bone-ashes or dust,
and then put into a tin box, the top of which is perforated
with holes. The powder must be sprinkled over the surface
of the composition, being suffered to remain half an hour for
absorbing the moisture, when an additional portion of the
powder should be gently applied with the hand, till the whole
plaster acquire a smooth surface. As the edges of such ex-
cisions grow up, care ought to be taken that n5 7ietv wood
may come in contact with the decayed ; for which purpose it
will be advisable to cut out the latter, in proportion as the
former advances ; a hollow space being left between both, in
order that the newly-grown wood may have sufficient room to
extend, and fill up the cavity, so that in a manner it forms a
new tree. By this process old and decayed trees have, in the
second season after its application, produced fruit of the best
quality and finest flavor; nay, in the course of three or four
years, they yielded such abundant crops, as young healthy
trees could not have borne in 15 or 20 years. Previously to
the application of the plaster Mr. F. directs all decayed, hol-
low, loose, rotten, injured, diseased and dead parts to be cut
away, till the knife extend to the sound or solid wood, so as
to leave the surface perfectly smooth, wdien the composition
prepared in the manner above described should be applied.

PRUNING AND GRAFTING COMPOSITIONS.

Grafting Composition may be used on all wounded parts
of a tree. It is made of one part beef tallow, two parts
beeswax, four parts white resin, melted and well mixed — pour
it in a vessel of cold water and work and pull well, as in
making: shoemaker's wax. This mixture is not liable to be-
come too soft or melt in warm weather, nor too hard for use
in cold weather. Be careful to have it of proper temper, so
that when applied in cold weather, it will not peel off. It
should be pressed closely to the wounded parts, in order that
moisture and air maybe excluded, whether used in grafting or
pruning.

ORCHARDS. 105

Composition Cloth is made by clipping strips of thin
cloth into the above composition, and drawing it between two
stick.s to get off the superfluous matter. They may then be
torn into narrower strips tosuit the purpose for which they are
intended. These bands being weak will yield as the limb ex-
pands, so that no injury may be apprehended from their
tightness.

Clay for Grafting is not so convenient, but it is as good
as any other plaster. When nothing is used with it, it is ne-
cessary to use bandages of rags, tow or the like, winding it
around to support the clay. The best clay composition may
be prepared by mixing pure clay with an equal quantity of
fine, fresh horse manure, with any fine hair worked into it.
If the clay is very tenacious, work in a little fine sand to re-
duce the strength of the clay. The proportions may be va-
ried according to the strength of the clay — some kind of
bands must be used to bind it closely to the stock and graft
when used in grafting.

Plaster for Large Wounds. — Take equal parts fresh
cow-dung and clay well mixed and tempered with human
urine. When there are large hollows, cut out all the rotten
and decayed wood and fill the cavity well with the composi-
tion— finish the outer edge well and smoothly. It may be
applied with a garden or bricklayer's trowel. If in shrink-
ing the surface becomes cracked, fill in with more of the com-
position.

Shellac Composition. — Alcohol and shellac are used by
dissolving the shellac until it is of the consistence of thick
paint — apply with a painter's brush. This is a very conve-
nient and elegant plaster — it excludes air and water, and is
not aifected by cold or hot weather. It may be made in the
following manner: Take one pint of strong spirits and dis-
solve it in as much shellac as will make a liquid of the con-
sistence of paint. Apply this to the wound with a common
painter's brush, always paring the surface of the wound
smoothly with the knife. The liquid soon becomes perfectly
hard, adheres closely, excludes the air perfectly, and is affected
by no changes of weather; while at the same time its thin-

106 ORCHARDS.

ness oiFers no resistance to the lip of new wooi and bark that
gradually closes over the wound. If this composition is kept
in a well-corked bottle, sufficiently wide-mouthed to admit the
brush, it will always be ready for use and suited to the want
of the moment. This is Mr. Downing's receipt.

Composition of White Lead. — The most convenient,
simple and cheap, as well as the best composition for pruning,
or for spreading over any large wounds, is simply white lead
and oil mixed with a little lamp-black to give it a light lead
color (if white is objectionable). This will remain longer
and has all the good qualities of the "Shellac and Alcohol"
Composition. It should be applied with a painter's brush,
and, if necessary, a second and even a third coat may be ap-
plied to large incisions. The author of this work can recom-
mend this mixture as being the very best for applying to
wounds, large or small. It does not answer so well for a
grafting composition.

COMPOSITIONS AND WASHES.

When large wounds are to be covered, or the cavities of
large limbs to be filled and plastered, the following composi-
tion is about the best that can be applied: (the solid wood
had better be painted) The plaster is made of equal parts
of clay, garden mould, and fresh cow-dung, tempered and
made pliable with urine.

The health and vegetation of trees may be greatly pro-
moted by scraping them ; by cutting away the cankered parts;
and by washing their stems annually, in the month of Feb-
ruary or March, or even later, ivith strong soap suds.

A w^ash highly recommended for this purpose is made as
follow^s : prepare a mixture of fresh cowdung, urine and
soap-suds — the composition to be applied to the stems and
branches of fruit or forest trees, in the same manner as the
ceilings of rooms are white-washed. It is best to apply it
with a large paint brush or coarse rag — for small trees,, the
rag is^ best, as it will rub off any extraneous matter adhering
to the bark, giving it a smooth surface. {Diluted soajJ-suds

ORCHARDS. 107

is still letter ; hut it should not he jnit on too strong for very
young trees.) This operation will not only destroy the eggs
of insects, that are hatched during the Spring and Summer,
but also prevents the growth of moss ; and if repeated in
Autumn, after the fall of the leaves, it will kill the eggs
of those numerous insects, which are hatched during
that season ; thus greatly contributing to the nourishment
and growth of the tree, and preserving its barkin a fine
healthy state.

TRAINING.

Training in gardening., is the operation or art of form-
ing young trees to a wall or espalier, or of causing them
to grow in a shape suitable to that end. According to
the British mode training is of but very little use in the
United States, and more especially it is a useless job in
the Southern and Western states ; as we have a sufficiently
dry climate, and hot sun to secure the perfect growth and
maturity of the apple, peach and pear, and other valuable fruits,
without resorting to this tedious, lengthy and troublesome
process to mature fruits. The only objects of training, accor-
ding to the British acceptation of the term, is to secure a more
complete exposure of the leaves and branches to the light and
sun, to ripen their fruits in a naturally damp, showery and
unfavorable climate. Training in that climate greatly pro-
motes fruitfulness. It retards luxuriance of growth and dim-
inishes the vigor of the trees. Space is a great object in Euro-
pean gardens, and trained trees occupy much less ground
than standards, by having a flat surface to correspond with a
wall or espalier.

Training, although useless in many respects here, is, never-
theless, very convenient in a small garden. It gives a very
beautiful and tasty appearance, and furnishes very superior
specimens of fruit. It is practiced to considerable extent in
the neighborhood of Boston, and fruit is cultivated in this
way, in some situations still farther north. There are various
modes ; such as fan training, horizontal training, geonoville or
conical training, spiral training, pyramidical training, etc. The

108 ORCHARDS.

advantac^es of traininor in a cold or moist climate cannot be
appreciated here, and we can raise tlie best of fruit without
any such trouble or expense ; allowing our standards to take
pretty much their natural shape, thereby securing the full
crops resulting from unrestrained growth, and the natural
spreading out of the branches freely to the sun and air.

PrRAMiDiCAL Ttainixg is a very beautiful form suited to
apples and pears. It is an easy and simple mode, and has
come into general favor with amateurs. The conical form is
also much admired. " There can scarcely be a more beauti-
ful display of the art of the horticulturist, than a fine row
of trained trees, their branches arranged with the utmost
symmetry and regularity, and covered in the fruit season with
large and richly colored fruit." The conical training is a very
simple and easy mode. It is mostly applied to pears, which,
when treated in this way, may be planted eight feet apart,
and thus a great variety of sorts may be planted in a small
garden.

Tree Trainixg is different from common tree form ; that
being only a modification or limited training. It is intended to
produce low and long branches by cutting back the stem, and
retarding the growth of the upper limbs, until the lower ones
grow large and strong from excess of light and exposure to
the sun. It is said " nothing surprises a British gardener
more, knowing the cold of our Winter, than the first sight of
peaches and other fine fruits arriving at full perfection in the
Middle States, with so little care ; he sees at once that three-
fourths of the great expense of a fruit garden is here
rendered needless."

"WHAT ARE DWARF TREES?"

This question is asked and answered by ''Tlltons Journal
of Horticulture.'' They are trees grafted on slow growing
stock, which would not attain so large a size as the species
grafted on it. Dwarf pears are now grafted only upon
quinces ; but formerly the thorn was used. They are less
hardy than upon pear stocks, and require higher cultivation,

ORCHARDS. 109

and are, therefore, less adapted to orchard than to garden
culture. For the latter, they possess many advantages, the
greatest of which is, that they come into bearing much sooner
than standards. They also admit a greater variety in a small
garden, and being within easy reach, can be much better con-
trolled and trained than tall standards. Dwarf apples are
grafted upon several species of shrubby apples known as Par-
adise, or Doucin stocks. They frequently produce fruit when
not more than two feet high, and are perfectly hardy.

The cherry is dwarfed by grafting on the Prunus Blahaleh,
and is more hardy than on the Mazzard stock, which is used
for standards.

MULCHING FOR FRUIT TREES.

Mulch is a Hebrew word, to dissolve. In English, ''half rotten
straw, leaves, or any coarse half decayed litter.'' The benefits
of mulching in Horticulture, as well as in Agriculture, can
hardly be over-estimated ; especially when practiced in the
Southern States. Leaves are the natural mulch for shrubs
and trees of every description, and makes the best of all
mulching. They retain sufficient moisture, and at the same
time admit the air, that is also necessary for the growth and
proper condition of the roots of shrubs, plants and trees.
Half rotted straw, old hay, old tan, sea-weed, salt hay, saw-
dust, (not pine,) shavings, or any coarse, decaying litter — all
these aid in retaining moisture, and as they decompose, make
the right kind of manure for trees

In England, mulching is much practiced by gardeners, to
keep the roots uniformly moist and cool. If an English cli-
mate requires such practice, how much more valuable would
it prove in the hot exposures of the south. In order to aid
in retaining this desirable state of coolness and moisture for
fruit trees. Professor Turner's theory, which relates to forming
and keeping the head and branches of a tree loiv, so as to shade
and shelter the stem and branches, and even the soil in which
the roots grow, from violent sunshine, is worthy of extensive
treatment in this way ; especially in those States south of

110 ORCHARDS.

North Carolina. When the ground over the roots is exposed
to the broad sunshine, then by all means cover the soil — two
or three inches is deep enough — and, if you have no leaves or
straw, use litter, bark, or any saitable covering that can be ob-
tained.

The ''■Rural South Carolinian'' says, in regard to mulch-
ing— "If mulching is employed at the time of planting trees,
they will never need watering. Uniform temperature and a
constant supply of moisture, are the prime elements of suc-
cess in fruit culture. Mulching enables us to accomplish this.
Mulching acts beneficially in other ways. It prevents, in a
great degree, the cracking of fruit, and causes those va-
rieties which are spotted and defaced, to become clean and
covered with a rich bloom." Mulching young trees obviates
the necessity of watering them, but in case of a long, dry
spell, after planting, it may become necessary to give them
water to save them. One pail of water, with the mulching to
retain it and keep the ground from baking, will be of more
service than six applied to the naked baked soil, exposed to
the hot sun. If the mulching material is light and liable to
be blown away from the roots, it is best to throw on a little
soil to keep it in place. 3Iulching may sometimes interfere
with cultivation. In that case it is only necessary to remove
a portion of the litter, when the fork or mattock may be ap-
plied, and a portion of the mulch worked into the soil, which
will be all the better for the growth of the young trees and
for the thrift, health, and maturity of fruit of the old. The
mulching should be immediately replaced.*

Among the improvements and arts of cultivation, all expe-
rience proves the great benefits derived from mulching the
ground around fruit trees, as a means of fertilization and a

* A writer in the Country Gentleman says, ''The last Spring I set out
one hundred apple trees, part of which I mulched with about fo ;r inches
of coarse hay and straw, and the rest, in pursuance of an article in the
Country Geyitleman, kept nicely hoed. Of the one hundred, all are liv-
ing except one, but those not mulched have made the best growth, over
a foot, notwithstanding the drought."

A near neighbor, who set last year, has lost nearly half of his trees
this summer; but then he had the pleasure of harvesting & poor crop of
oats, sowed close up to the trees. " A word to the wise," etc.

OUCIIARDS. Ill

protection from drought and excessive heat, so common in the
south and west during the middle or hitter part of the Sum-
mer season. This mulching, or sJiade^ is required for all
plants in their infancy, or, when they have suffered violence
from removal.

Note. — The advantages of mulching over clean culture is lessened in
consequence of the shelter afforded by the former to depredating insects.
This shelter, however, may be rendered very uncomfortable by mix ng
tobacco stalks with the mulch, say 15 or 20 lbs. to each tree. "Walnut
hulls, vines, and leaves will answer the same purpose.

REMEDIES FOR THE REMOVAL OF MOSS.

Moss, in Horticulture, is a disease which greatly impedes
the free growth of young trees, and effects the thrift and
health of those that are grown up, and, at the same time, very
materially injures the fruit of orchards.

The remedy usually employed is, to scrape off the moss
with a kind of wooden knife, that will not wound the bark or
branches ; or, to rub them with a strong hair cloth, or coarse
woolen, immediately after a heavy rain. But the most
effectual method, according to Mr. Bucknall, consists in
washing all the affected branches with soap-suds, and a hard
brush, every Spring and Autumn. The action of rubbing,
he observes, will so far invigorate the tree as amply to com-
pensate both the labor and expense : the plant will not be in-
jured by this operation, which he directs should be performed
in the same manner as a groom curries, or scrubs, the legs of
a horse. (Moist weather, or directly after a rain, should be
chosen for this business, as the moss may then be easily dis-
engaged.) The most efficacious preventive, hoAvever, is to re-
move the cause, by draining all superfluous moisture from the
roots ; and, when the trees are first planted, by placing them
on the surface of the ground and raising a small mound of
good, fresh mould around them, (If this preventive, '^ placing
the trees on the surface," was practiced in our dry, hot cli-
mate, no mulching or watering would save the young scions,
but it might answer very well in the cool, moist climate of
England,) or in low, very moist lands in this country.

112 ORCHARDS.

The moss, vegetating on shrubs, &c., is of various kinds,
according; to the nature and situation of the soih If the
young branches of trees are covered with long and shaggy
moss, they will speedily perish; and can only be preserved
by cutting them off at the trunk ; or, by lopping the head of
the shrub or tree if it be found necessary ; as it will sprout
out again with increased luxuriance. In thick plantations,
however, and in cold ground, the trees will always be covered
with moss : in such cases they must be thinned, and the land
drained or deeply stirred.

When shrubs, fruit trees, &c., are covered with moss, in
consequence of the soil being too dr?/, it will be useful to
spread large quantities of river or pond-mud about the roots,
and to open the ground for the admission of the manure :
such expedient will not only cool the land, and greatl}' sup-
press the future growth of moss, but at the same time prevent
the fruit from falling off too early, ... a circumstance that
frequently happens in orchards in very dry soils. Mr. F.,
advises moss to be carefully removed in the months of Febru-
ary or March; after which the scraped trees must be washed
with a mixture of fresh cow-dung, urine, and soapsuds. If
this operation be repeated in Autumn, when the trees are des-
titute of leaves, it will not only prevent the production of
moss, but it will destroy the eggs of numerous insects, that
would otherwise be hatched ; while it contributes essentially
to promote vegetation. But, though moss be in general de-
structive to the vegetation of shrubs and trees, yet, if grow-
ing only on the north side of their trunks, it may be of con-
siderable advantage in cold climates as a shelter to screen
them from the severity of the north winds. Or, in very hot
climates, if allowed to grow on the south side of trees and
shrubs, it would probably be a protection against the fiery
rays of the sun.* In the usually fine climate of Virginia, we

*The growth of moss and diseases of the bark, may be caused, or
promoted in transplanting, by setting large scions to a different point of
the compass from that to which it was grown whilst in the nursery ;
which practice renders necessary a constitutional change in the texture
of the young plant, not only of the bark and wood, but of the roots, to
accommodate itself to its new position.

ORCHARDS. 113

have no use for this pestiferous excresence, and consider it a
deadly enemy to the health and free growth of fruit trees
It is only the old^ neglected^ or the starved^ young orchards
in the South, that are infested with moss, and, the only way
for its eradication is to lop, scrape, soap, cultivate, mulch, and
manure ; and, if judiciously performed and applied, success-
ful renovation will be accomplished. Indeed, if the trunks
of old trees are tolerably sound, remunerative crops will cer-
tainly be secured, and the trees in a manner be rejuvenated,
if treated as above recommended.

Free f!;rowing trees are seldom affected with moss, and, pre-
vention is better than remedy. By keeping your trees in a
fine, thrifty condition, moss will not accumulate, and mai.y
other ills of tree life will be warded oif.

VARIOUS MANURES FOR FRUIT TREES.

Almost all kinds of manures are useful for fruit trees.
Give the ground under them a heavy dressing of cow-stable
or barn-yard manure, muck, or ditch mud, and ashes, which
contain much lime, in any convenient proportion. If the land is
light or sandy, the muck should largely preponderate. Rich
soil, or mould, ojyposite in character to that in which the trees
are grown, may be spread and mixed with the soil under them
with great advantage. Air-slacked lime is excellent for top
dressing, so is ashes, both especially so when well rotted litter
is added.

APPARENT DECLINE IN THE GROWTH AND PRO-
DUCTIVENESS OF THE APPLE AND OTHER FRUIT
TREES.

The declension of fruits is a subject which has elicited some
controversy. That varieties of cultivated fruits may, and do
decline, is, perhaps, true. But the reason of this deteriora-
tion may be accounted for in the altered circumstances under
which they are now grown. When the country was new, and
the unexhausted, virgin soil teemed with the rich, mellow mould,
containing a profuse amount of vegetable food, just suited to
9

114 ORCHARDS.

the nature of the trees, our first orchards grew with a thrifti-
nei^ aiid vigor that is now unattainable in most parts of the
country ; unless, where the soil is properly enriched, and the
lost ingredients restored in a suitable or scientific manner.
The original vegetable mould that has been worked out, must
be replaced with manures, swamp mud, ashes, lime, mulching,
littering with leaves, &c. When this is properly done, and
our improved varieties planted, (many of which are superior
to the old ones,) we shall have fruit to equal, if not surpass,
that of the oldeji time. But this is not all that is required.
We must cultivate, and we must fight insect enemies, from
which the old orchards were entirely exempt.

If we do these things, we will find that the good days of
fruit growing have not departed, and our trees will bend with
fair and profuse crops of luscious, excellent fruits. But
trees will not take care of themselves ; and, the sooner we
discover this fact, the better, both for us and them. Every
tree exposed to stock,* except hogs and sheep, should be pro-
tected in some ' manner. Do all this, (and it is light work,)
and our reward in teeming showers of delicious, mellow fruits
will exceed all that we had ever imagined of their value and
perfection.

THE BEARING YEAR.

Most authors on apple culture are very brief in their re-
marks on the subject of the bearing year, or alternate year
bearers. This is a matter of some consetjuence to the fruit
raiser, who always wishes to have some fruit every year, if
possible.

Dr. E. S. Hull, of Alton, III., in a lecture on Orchard
Fruits, delivered before the Illinois Industrial University,
Jan. 19th, 1868, has some sensible remarks bearing on this
subject. He says, "It is wholly within our means to prevent

*" The farmer will expend hundreds of dollars in fencing out in-
truders from his corn and wheat: but he thinks it a hardship to devote
half an hour each morning to crush the circulios. or clipping incipient
caterpillars' nests from the shoots. The great point Is to bring the mind
to the -adoption of the truth, that vigilaisce and attention are necessary
to secure and preserve fruit as well as other crops " — Rural Annual.

ORCHARDS. 115

over -bearing or barrenness in trees. And he who is ambi-
tious to grow fruit of first quality, or to the most profit,
should thoroughly understand the peculiar habits of each
variety, and the method by which both barren or alternate
year bearers may be made to yield a full annual crop of fruit.

To understand this, we must refer to the trees active in
growth. Trees which expend all their forces in the produc-
tion of wood growth, can produce little or no fruit. Indeed,
it is not possible for any tree to perfect a fruit germ, and not
again in some way disorganize it, unless the wood growth shall
cease, in time for the leaves to elaborate food enough to grow
both leaf and fruit the following year, or, until a part of the
leaves shall attain to nearly or quite their full size. That
this is so will be apparent, when we consider that the leaves,
which first appear in the Spring, were formed in the buds the
previous year, perfect in all their parts, and in the embryo
state contained each individual cell found in them when fully
grown. But we are asked, if there is no addition to the
number of cells, how do the leaves grow ? The answer is,
that the only difference we can see between an embryo leaf
and one full grown, is in the size of the leaf cells. As growth
begins in the Spring, these small cells, which we found in the
previous year, begin to expand ; each individual cell thus en-
larges until the whole of the numerous cells of which the
leaves are composed are of full size.

To further illustrate this, let us suppose in a brick wall that
each brick at the same time were gradually to expand several
hundred times its present diameter, and you have just what
takes place in the growth of an embryo leaf. Here we find
the tree in possession of a full grown leaf. This leaf did
not form itself, but \^as formed by the tree in the preceding
year. To produce and sustain this cellular enlargement,
there had been stored the previous year a large share of nu-
triment in the buds and in other parts of the tree. This nu-
triment, or plant food, must not only be sufiicient to feed the
embryo leaves, but must also be sufficient to produce the
small warty excrescenses, the rootlets and spongioles. Those
leaves and spongioles first grown were made, with the excep-

116 ORCHARDS.

tion of moisture, wholly out of the materials that were stored
by the tree during the growth of the previous year. When
these vegetable stores are in sufficient supply to do this and
nourish theTruit germs also, then we shall hear little about
imperfect fertilization. On the other hand, had the food
been consumed the previous year by ripening an over-crop of
fruit, or by making a very succulent growth, then the tree
would not store a sufficient amount of plant food to perform
its three-fold office in the production of leave-5, roots with
their spongioles, and fruit. In this condition a part of the
leaf, and the larger part, or all of the fruit-buds, yield up
their nourishment, which goes to the production of root and
leaf growth. The tree, therefore, is barren of fruit for the
summer; its whole growth being required to recuperate :he
growth of the tree. Such trees often bloom freely and cast
their bloom. When this occurs, uninformed persons often at-
tribute this to want of fertilization, or suppose that the rains
have washed away the pollen, and the like.

Having thus briefly referred to some of the causes of our
fruit production and wood growth, we will now return and
state how we treat trees bearing alternate crops. Alternate
bearing trees are such for the reason we have endeavored to
explain, viz: exhaustion. What we have to do, then, is to
economize and equalize the forces of the tree. If it be a
Hart or Bigarreau cherry on which we are to operate, our
first duty will be an inspection of the buds, that we may
know what proportion of them are perfect. But before we
proceed, we will have to state that the fruit-buds on most
cherries are produced on little spurs, as they are called ; these
are two, three and four years in forming. Each of these will
likely have five, ten or more fruit-buds, and each bud will
contain several fruit germs. When all these germs are per-
fect, we have known as many as sixty fruits produced from a
single spur, when not more than a dozen or fifteen could be
properly grown.

Understanding, as we now do, the position of the buds on
the cherry tree, we next determine their condition by an in-
spection of them, as detailed in our remarks on buds. Pro-

ORCHARDS. ilT

bably we shall agree, for a tree of which the diameter of the
trunk is four inches, one-half bushel of fruit may be reason-
ably looked for, and for each additional inch in diameter four
quarts may be added. Now, let us farther agree on the num-
ber of cherries required to fill a half bushel. As our way
will double and perhaps triple the size of the leaves, the fruit
ivill 5s correspondingly large. Hence we reduce the usual
number, five thousand, to eighteen hundred to fill the mea-
sure; next, we estimate our buds, so many to each spur— five
will be about right. Now, each of these buds ought to j/ield
three cherries, fifteen to each spur; we shall need, then, only
one hundred and twenty spurs, but we will allow a few, and
say one hundred and thirty, to provide the required amount.
This determined, some time before the buds open in the
spring we prune away all the spurs except the requisite num-
ber, leaving those that are to remain evenly distributed
throughout the tree. In addition to the spurs already formed,
there will be a great many of small one-year old spurs devel-
oping for fruit for the next and succeeding years. Each
year thin these out, always leaving as many again as you
ultimately expect to reserve for fruit-bearing, as some of
them, under the treatment we have described, are pretty sure
to run off into wood growth. Alternate bearing trees man-
aged in this way cannot overbear one year, and hence will
not require a whole year 8 rest in which to restore their ex-
hausted energies, as would be the case had the trees received
ordinary treatment."

This management of cherries by Dr. Hull may, and doubt-
less will, succeed admirably, but the process is rather scien-
tific and tedious for most farmers, but may suit amateurs and
those who have more leisure. As far as this theory is adapted
to apple-culture, there is not so much trouble about it. Ac-
cordinor to Downins: and others, when about half the fruit is
thinned out in a young state, say of the size of common
grapes, leaving only a moderate crop, the apple, like other
fruit trees, will bear every year., unless the fruit is destroyed
by frost or cold winters. The bearing year of an apple tree,
or a whole orchard, may be changed by picking off the fruit

118 ORCHARDS.

■when the trees first show good crops, allowing it to remain
only on the alternate seasons which we vfish to make the
bearing year.

The best and most profitable mode, however, to secure an-
nual crops from trees that are disposed to bear biennially, is
to effect this desirable purpose hj proper tillage and hy proper
manures combined, thus securing a high state of vigor and
productiveness. The manures most likely to supply the trees
with proper food and put the soil in high condition, are de-
scribed in the course of this work — lime being a prominent
part, if not already in the soil — but caution should be given,
as an over-dose would be injurious. It would be best to mix
it in the composition heap. (Ashes should also be used.)

There are a few varieties of the apple that will bear annu-
ally with ordinary culture and management, and it is of con-
siderable importance to know which are these varieties. The
author has taken some pains to give a correct list of them,
which he will append at the close of this article.

It is desirable to have as many trees bearing every year as
possible ; and, by selecting those which bear annually, this
great advantage is secured, even if some of this character do
not bear first rate fruit. The biennial class, which nat-
urally gives a good crop once in two years, with no cultiva-
tion, or Avith ordinary cultivation, is only of half the value —
the qualities of both being equal.

It will doubtless be to the advantage of all apple growers in
setting new orchards, or adding to old. ones to have in view
the benefit of a proper selection as it regards annual and
biennial varieties, and those which come into early bearing ;
which, we think, has been overlooked by our most practical
horticulturists. We propose appending, according to the
best information we can get, and from our own experience,
a list of such varieties, which will enable those who plant
trees to secure advantages in this way.

But to return to the subject of the "bearing year.'" The
cause generally assigned and believed, in regard to alternate
bearing, is, " The exhaustion of most of the organizable matter

ORCHARDS. 119

laid up to the tree, "which requires another season to recover and
collect a sufficient supply again to form fruit buds," (^vhich
also happens in the case of most nut bearing trees.) This,
Mr. Cole says, is not according to analogy, as many other
species of trees and shrubs bear abundantly every year. The
same author, on page 87, American Fruit Book, says, " we
first offered to the public the important fact that most of our
varieties of apples in New England, natural and grafted,
produce large crops in even years', 1846, 1848 and 1850, if
the season be favorable, and light crops in odd years, 1845,
1847 and 1849. Like all new things this view has been
opposed and ridiculed, but never met fairly with facts. We
observed it for 30 years, and the same orchards in our boy-
hood, still continue the same. These important facts cannot
be laughed down, nor upset by false reasoning. On the con-
trary, correct observers are confirming what we have said."
Mr. Cole does not give his opinion as to the cause of this
freak in nature, but is satisfied in believing it is as he has
stated. In justice to him, however, he also says : " Yet some
trees and some orchards, and in some neighborhoods, most of
trees bear in odd years." This he seems to consider only as
exceptions to the general rule. According to our experi-
ence we know of no such habit attending our orchards, and do
not think they stop to play the game of odd and even, but
bear their crops according to seasons and circumstances. A
late vernal frost sometimes has something to do with the
bearing year ; and full orchards are occasionally bereft of
their fruit buds by a severe Winter in the bearing year, and
forced to rest and renovate their fruiting powers until the
next season, which in that case will be the bearing year,
whether it be odd or even. Other reasons might be assio-ned
for the alternation of the bearing year. We like trees that
will bear every year, and if we can control them by aid and
art, or in any way induce them to do so, so much the better.
But at the same time we should esteem and cherish so much
the more highly those few varieties that do so without coaxing.
As to the ''^ even year ' forbearing, our Southern and West-
ern latitudes do not favor any partiality for odd or even

120 ORCHARDS.

numbers, but leave all such capricious pranks to tlie soil of
I^ew England.

It is not desirable that young trees should bear large crops,
and to prevent it, if the time can be spared, a portion of the
young fruit had better be thinned out, in order to insure
thrifty and vigorous growth, and smalLn^ crops of fine fruit,
Y^^hich is of more importance, when trees commence bearing,
than large crops. Trees that are grown up, and those which
have attained their full size and maturity, are in a condition
by nature to bear full crops, and as a general thing they will
do so, some annually and others biennially ; but, of course,
like animals, they must be well fed and attended to ; other-
wise we shall, as a general thing, have to be contented with
biennial crops.

Mr. A. G. Comings, of Mason county. New Hampshire,
says of the Baldwin apple, which is usually an alternate
bearer : " I have found by experiment that with proper cul-
ture it will bear more frequently. I have a tree in a rich
loam and under high culture, which was ivell supj^lied with
fruit for five years in succession. The apples grew extremely
large and were of very fine flavor.

One of Mr. A. J. Downing's correspondents says, in a
note : " For several years past I have been experimenting
on the apple, having an orchard of two thousand Newtown
Pippin trees. I found it very unprofitable to wait for what is
called the ' bearing year.' I have noticed from the excessive
productiveness of this tree, it requires the intermediate year
to recover itself; to extract from the earth and atmosphere
the materials to enable it to produce again. This it is not
able to do unassisted by art, while it is loaded with fruit, and
the intervening year is lost ; if, however, the tree is supplied
with proper food, it will bear every year ; at least, such has
been the result of my experiments."

LIST OF ANNUAL BEARING TREES.

The following varieties of apple trees in a soil kept in good
condition will bear evert/ yeai\ viz:

White Spanish Reinett (Mississippi), highly recommended.

ORCHARDS. 121

Rawle's Genet, or as some call it Geneting (Winter.)

Higby Sweet (Ohio apple), new.

Wine Sap — nearly every year (finest of market apples).

Limbertwig (in some situations).

Grimes' Golden — resembles the New^ark Pippin — a new
variety originated in Brook county, West Virginia — quality,
best.

Sops of Wine.

Benoni.

Holland Pippin.

Hubardston's Nonesuch.

Domine.

Stanard.

Minker.

Monte Bello (New), Ch. Downing — an Illinois apple of great
promise.

Ramsdell's Sweeting (enormous bearer), October to Feb-
ruary.

Milam — Winter variety, much admired in the Piedmont
district.

Vandevere — Large, roundish, yellow-ground, marbled with
red; flesh yellow, crisp, tender; suited to rich sandy soils.

LIST OF LATE BLOOMING VARIETIES.

In frosty situations the following varieties, in consequence
of their habit of late blooming, preserve their blossoms from
the vernal frosts during late Spring. The importance of such
a selection is 7iot appi^eciated as it sJiould he, and we wish to
call the attention of those who are compelled to plant in such
situations to the advantage of raising as many late blooming
trees as possible.

Raudes Grenet — (from our own observation).

Sweet Genet — a seedling of Rawle's Genet — originated with
Mr. Reuben Ragan, of Putnam county, Indiana — fruit large,
handsome, fair, expands its blossoms at least a week later than
its parent, and always escapes Spring frosts.

Ingram's Seedling (new^).

Lawver Apple, (new.)

122 ORCHARDS.

Borsdorff (German apple).
Northern Sp}^ and
All Russet apples.

REMEDIES FOR UXFRUITFULXESS.

Trees, like animil^, are sone:im3s subject to barrenness.
There is no subject within the wide realm of horticulture more
difficult to understand or explain satisfactorily than the true
cause of vigorous trees failing to bear fruit, especially when
they have been well tilled, manured, and pruned The cause
generally assigned is an over-vigorous constitution, causing
over-luxuriant growth of shoots and leaves, and excessive
wood growth. Other causes have been assigned; as the influ-
ence of certain soils — the lack of certain constituent elements
in the soil, which are necessary to fruitfulness; such as potash^
soda, Sec, in limestone soils, and the want of lime, iron, clay
or muck composts in free stone, sandy, or slaty soils. Over-
luxuriance of growth, however, is considered by the best au-
thorities as the most usual cause of unfruitfulness in fruit
trees. Fortunately for the orchardist, such condition of his
trees very seldom occur, and the remedies in such cases, as
generally prescribed, are as follows :

" To induce fruitfulness, when a vounjT tree is too luxuriant,
employing all its energies in making vigorous shoots, but
forming few or no blossoms and producing no fruit, we have
it in our power, by different modes of pruning, to lessen this
over-luxuriance, and force it to expend its energies in fruit
bearing. The most direct and successful mode of doing this
is h J pruning tJte roots, a proceeding brought into practice by
English gardeners."

Root Pruning is effected by cutting off a portion of the
nourishment supplied by the roots of a tree. The leaves,
losing part of their usual nourishment, have not the ability to
continue their rapid growth, or maintain the excessive vigor
of the balance of the tree, causing the branches to assume
slow growth and the organizable matter accumulates, causing
fruit buds to be formed. The inclination to luxuriant wood
and leaf growth being cut off, the remaining sap and food are

ORCHARDS. 123

employed in producing and maturing fruit buds for the next
year.

The proper time for root pruning is in the Fall or Winter.
It is effected by removing the soil from the roots and cutting
them off a few feet from the tree ; the distance must be regu-
lated according to the size of the tree — the larger roots are
cut off, and the ends should be smoothly paired or cut. Eng-
lish nurserymen practice root pruning in this way: They dig
a trench or ditch during the Fall, November is preferred^
about eighteen inches deep around their trees with a sharp
spade, cutting off all the roots as smoothly as possible. The
distance from the tree varies according to the size and luxu-
riance of its growth. By adopting this practice, they cause
their trees to bear early and full crops, and force apples and
pears and other fruits grafted on their own roots to bear
abundantly as dwarfs; and, treated in this way, they can be
grown from six to eight feet apart and thinned in a conical
form.

The ends of the roots cut off in trenching round the tree
are abundantly supplied with suitable manure, mixed with soil
in the ditch to keep up their health and a proper degree
of vigor. Trees dwarfed in this way, by annual root prun-
ing, become very prolific. The plan is well suited to growing
trees on a small surface, and to the gardens of amateurs.

An excellent English author in writing on this subject men-
tions the following advantages to be derived from systematic
root pruning.

"1. The facility of thinning (owing to the small size of
the trees) and, in some varieties, of setting the blossoms of
shy-bearing sorts, and of thinning and gathering the fruit.

"2. It will make the gardener independent of the natural
soil of his garden, as a few barrowsfuU of rich mould will
support a tree for a lengthened period ; thus placing bad soils
nearly on a level with those the most favorable.

'•3. The capability of removing trees of fifteen or tw^enty
years' growth, with as much facility as furniture. To tenants
this will indeed be a boon, for perhaps one of the greatest an-
noyances a tenant is subjected to, is that of being obliged to

124 ORCHARDS.

leave behind him trees that he has nurtured with the utmost
care."

In conclusion, this author y ecommends cauti07i ; "enough
of vigor must be left in the tree to support its crop of fruit,
and one, two, or three seasons' cessation from root pruning
will often be found necessary."

Root pruning is only valuable, according to our judgment,
when applied to such standard trees as at the usual size and
age fail to blossom or bear fruit, or do so in a manner so light
and unprofitable that some course is necessary to induce fair
crops and full. bearing. Such trees will generally require but
a single pruning to bring them all right and cause them to
assume a permanent fruitful condition. Pears and plums
that are shy bearers when grown up, say from twelve to four-
teen years old, may be forced in this way to bear when of
proper size. An esteemed author observes, " Several nearly
full grown peach, pear, and plum trees, on a very rich soil on
the Hudson, which were over luxuriant but bore no fruit,
were root pruned by our advice two years ago, and yielded
most excellent and abundant crops last season." The same
author says: "In case of apple orchards, where the perma-
nent value depends on the size, longevity, and continued pro-
ductiveness of the trees, it is better to wait patiently, and not
to resort to pruning to bring them into bearing; as it cannot
be denied that all excessive pruning shortens somewhat the
life of the tree." Mr. Coxe, indeed, recommended that the
first fruit should never be allowed to ripen on a young apple
orchard, as it lessens very materially the vigor of the trees.

Pruning the Tops or Shortening -in the extremities of the
branches of peach, nectarines and apricots, has a strong ten-
dency to increase the fruitfulness of those trees. By reduc-
ing the new wood, the sap is more abundantly distributed in
the balance of the branches, causing many bearing shoots to
be produced on each branch instead of one.

Sjmrring-in, which is the annual shortening of the lateral
shoots of trained fruit trees, as practiced in England, is per-
formed in order to make them grow short fruit branches or
spurs, and is a part of the same theory, and is well adapted
to pears, apples, peaches, and other fruits.

ORCHARDS. 125

Bending Down the Limbs is a mode easily practiced to
produce fruitfulness. By doing this, the circulation of the
sap is delayed or retarded — the growth becomes less vigorous —
the organizable juices and matter increase, and fruit buds
are directly formed. The proper time for bending the limbs
is the early part of the summer — say during the month of
June, when the sap is up and the limbs have become pliant.
They are tied or fastened down, below a horizontal line, and
forced to remain in this position until the growth of the wood
stiffens and causes them to retain permanently the position
required for this purpose. It is usual to pin them to the earth
by means of forked stakes, the forks inverted and driven in
the ground, and when there is danger of chafing or rubbing,
the limbs should be protected by soft rags or other wrapping
at the places pinned down. Other modes to fasten them to
the ground might be adopted, but this is the most simple, and
probably the best. When a tree is trained to this position,
which is very simple and easily done, it is certain to cause
fruitful branches and fine fruit on the limbs so treated.

Disbarhing and Ringing are modes practiced by some gar-
deners, and recomme^nded by some writers to induce fruitful-
ness ; but most authors in this country who have written on
this subject disapprove of both, and in place of this process
keep the bark in a fine green and healthy state, by applica-
tions of soft soap or strong soap suds, &c., as a wash ; or, by
rubbing hard soap on the stems of the trees and on the lower
parts of the large limbs.

Bandages or Ligatures very tightly wrapped around the
limbs will have the same effect, temporarily^ as disbarking and
ringing with less injury to the tree and branches.

OTHER MODES OF INDUCING FRUITFULNESS.

The productiveness of fruit trees of every description
depends very much on the soils in which they are grown.
Poor soils stave the trees and reduce the crops, as is w^ell known.
Lime stone soils seldom if ever fail to produce fine fruit,
and large growth of trees. The largest apple tree perhaps

126 ORCHARDS.

in Virginia was grown in limestone soil, with rich loamy sub-
soil mixed with small gravel. Other strong loamy soils are
also well adapted to the fruitfulness as well as vigorous
growth of orchard trees. The particular ingredients of soil
favorable to full bearing are always present in soils such as
these. Soils also have a powerful influence in the growth
and modification of fruits. Their size, texture, excellence,
and fine keeping qualities are produced and established by
the soils in which they are grown. Perhaps, as to flavor,
the dark red or chocolate colored soils of the Piedmont re-
gion of Virginia, extending into North Carolina, are the very
best for the extreme lusciousness and high aromatic flavor,
always present in the well cultivated fruits of this region.
It is believed that the fruits of this section are also less afl"ect-
ed by insect enemies and by vernal frosts.

In regard to the keeping qualities of the apple, there can
be no doubt but that gray, clayey soils, are decidedly the
best, inducing plumpness and firmness in the fruit, and a dis-
position to hang well and long on the trees.

The Tide-water sections of Maryland, Virginia and North
Carolina, where the soil is loamy and not too much sand, or
too wet, are well adapted to both the apple and the peach, and
the fine qualities of both are secured in an eminent degree,
by good cultivation and by careful selection of varieties to suit
this lotver section of the country. (A list of such varieties
will be appended in this work.) There are many very fine
varieties of apples that will not flourish here that are quite at
home in the high, gray, and slaty lands, and mountainous
sections where the red soil predominates. (Lists suitable for
all these locations will appear in their place in this work.)
'' Locations bordering on salt water are warmer in Winter and
cooler in Summer, as the atmosphere is modified by the more
equable temperature of the water," which seldom freezes to
any extent. This favorable condition to fruit culture, of the
maritime sections of the States above named, may be attribu-
table to the warmth that pervades the surface of the gulf
stream. The injury to fruit buds and blossoms by extreme
cold and frost is here almost entirely obviated. These

ORCHARDS. 127

advantages to the fruit grower are already appreciated here,
and should be improved to their utmost extent ; as the
fruits of this section can be put in market several iveeks in
advance of the fruits of the middle and mountainous sections.
The vicinity of large fresh water lakes is also favorable to
fruit trees and fruitfulness. Tlie spray that rises from large
bodies of water, extracts and expels the frost before the sun
rises, and prevents injury to the buds or expanded bloom.
This good effect is sometimes lost on the border of lakes in
consequence of their being sheeted over with ice.

Sheltered locations, such as narrow, deep valleys, are un-
favorable to fruitfulness. They are liable to extremes of tem-
perature, thawing and freezing alternately by day and by
night, which changes destroy thQ tender trees, buds, and
blossoms. There is said to be a difference of five or six de-
grees between such low bottoms and valleys, during the
Spring, and the tops or sides of adjacent ridges, where the
elevation is not more than 80 or 100 feet.

A German writer, Schultz, in his work entitled "Reju-
venescence of Plants," etc., says, that common salt and chlo-
ride of lime contribute greatly to the flowering of plants, to
which, however, they can only be applied with safety in
small quantities. " Salts of lime," he observes, " appear to
produce so nearly the same effect as that of potash and soda,
that it is only necessary to place lime within their reach, if
there is no deficiency of manure in the shape of general food.
Lime ivill in the main promote, in an astonishing degree, the
fruiting and flowering of most plants, because calcareous salts
promote evaporation and the concentration of the sap."

These views of Dr. Schultz, are, in the author's opinion,
of a:reat value. Coarse salt at the rate of one and a half or
two bushels to the acre, as a top dressing on most soils, pro-
mote fruitfulness to an eminent degree — and, at the same
time, aid in destroying worms and other insects injurious to
fruit and fruit trees. Lime has a most poAverful effect on the
fruiting of the apple and pear. Some years ago, we made
an experiment with lime, which being carried a little too far,
proved fatal to a pear tree. In removing the lime and rubbish

128 ORCHARDS.

from the ceiling of an old house, about one bushel, with other
litter, was directed to be placed around a pear tree of small
size, but of considerable age, which had never blossomed or
borne fruit, and had been entirely neglected for many years.
This was done early in the Winter. The spot on which it
stood was a poor, dry, gray, slaty soil, and was cultivated the
following Spring. This tree, at the proper time, bloomed
profusely, and a great quantity of fruit set and matured ; the
quality being first rate. The next or second Spring, the tree
failed to bloom, and gradually withered and died, and in the
Fall afforded a small lot of fire loood, showing doubtless, the
effects of an over dose of lime, and forced over-bearing.

These facts, connected with lime and salt, are very well
worth the careful attention of the orchardist, and extended
experiments on their action and efficiency in promoting fruit-
fulness in fruit trees should be a subject of scientific research.

Fruitfulness in cold clayey soil may be promoted and the lat-
ter made equal to the best, for the apple and peach, and for
most other fruits. Where there is but little vegetable mould,
decayed litter is mixed with the soil, and a moderate quantity
of lime spread broadcast about the roots ; the quantity should
vary according to circumstances, but, as a general rule, about
as much as is deemed sufficient to be spread on corn or wheat
fallowed crops, to be applied during the Fall or early Winter,
would be about right.

It should be well mixed with the litter and soil. This kind
of soil, in addition to the lime and decayed litter, may be
rendered still better adapted to the growth and fruitfulness of
trees, if the farmer should have the time to give the soil a
dressing of river or any other sand, mos-t convenient for that
purpose..

The like good eifect is secured by mixing with sandy soil,
clay from ditches — even though it should not be rich in vegeta-
ble matter — and then apply mulching of any description to
keep the soil cool and moist.

Some English authors recommend the following treatment
for trees unfruitful from luxuriance of growth :

When trees are so luxuriant, as not to bear those prolific

ORCHARDS. • 129

spurs from which the fruit proceeds the too abundant flow of
their juices, must be checked by the following method : The
tops of most of the shoots are to be pruned off in August, the
bark perpendicularly slitted in diff"erent places, and the trunk
cut about one-third through with a saw, but so as not to injure
the heart. For the first year, or two, after this experiment,
the tree will not bear more fruit than usual, but, afterwards, its
production will be adequate to every expectation.

From this operation, (especially in the lower Tide-water
district) a still farther benefit may be derived. When there
is a superabundance of moisture, the trees are liable to be
covered with moss, which affords shelter for caterpillars
and other insects ; but this process in a great measure cures
it, especially if the moss is carefully scrubbed off, or rubbed
with a coarse, wet cloth, or nibbed when the trees are wet
after a rain.

The pruning of the tops diverts the channel of circulation,
and accelerates the growth of the fruit-bearing shoots ; while
the cutting of the trunk, across, moderates the rise of nour-
ishment, or sap. Thus the sawed part will overgrow in so
complete a manner, that it cannot be discerned except from
the freshness of its bark. This expedient we have tried on a
Juneating tree, some twenty or twenty-five years old, well
grown and vigorous, which never bore more than a dozen or
two of apples in any year. It grows in a somewhat slaty soil,
and has been tolerably well attended to the most of the time.
The operations were performed in 1867, and in 1869, no
results. We shall expect an increase of fruit this season, 1870.*

The following remarks on ^^ Root Pruning to induce Fruit-
fuhiess," we copy from that excellent w^ork, " The Rural
Annual and Horticultural Directory:'' Although a similar
mode has just been described, yet this is so simple and so
easily performed, we deem it best for ordinary practice.

" When a tree has reached a fruit-bearing size, and shows
no symptoms of a fruit bearing disposition, but instead,
throws out vigorous branches, root pruning is a very efficacious

*As expected, this tree bore a fair crop of excellent fruit this season ^

10

130 ORCHARDS.

mode of checking growth. In highly cultivated gardens,
where trees are planted, and the roots have access to the rich
soil, an immense crop of branches Y\'ill be produced, and but
little, if any, fruit. Root pruning will check such growths
most effectually and render the trees fruitful. The operation
is performed by digging out a circular trench at a distance of
three to six feet from the stem, according to the size of the
tree, and cutting all the roots that are encountered or can* be
reached. The soil is again thrown back, and the process is
completed. If done in August, (perhaps the latter part of
July would suit the latitude of Virginia and North Carolina
best) the supply of sap will immediately be lessened, the
Avood-maturing principle accelerated, and fruit buds formed.
The operation has been performed in Spring with but little
benefit, bat if done in the Fall, cannot fail in producing
the desired results.

Although much more mio;ht be said, and many o;ood authors
quoted, yet we deem this subject sufficiently elucidated for all
practical purposes, and shall proceed to the treatment of
over-bearing trees, and a few remarks on "Tap Roots."

TAP ROOTS.

L. S. B., Chicago, 111., in a recent number of the Garden-
ers Monthly^ remarking on roots, says: "I was interested
in what you say about tap roots. You seem to place little
value on them. I have been led to believe them very essen-
tial, and always give my gardener, as my advice, to save the
tap roots^ when we are transplanting anything upon our lawn.
Was your remark intended to have the weight it seems to
bear, or a slip of the pen ? I have read so often of the great
value of tap roots that I want to be sure I understand you.
It would seem as if nature would hardly make them, if they
were of no use."

(No one disputes this last point — "nature makes everything
for some use." Beards are of some use; perhaps to exercise
our industry to keep them shaven away. As to tap roots,
our correspondent understood us correctly to say that they
are not of the slightest service towards the nutrition of the

ORCHARDS. 131

tree. The shortening of a tap root is of no more injury to a
tree than is the shortening of the finger-nails to a man. This
mat'^er was settled by Sanebier and others over a hundred
years ago. Their experiments we have repeated, and no in-
telligent man teaches any other doctrine.) — Crardeners'
Monthly. (We are surprised to learn that any one ever sup-
posed the tap root to be a feeder. Such parties must' be very
"dull of comprehension.") — Editors Southern Farmer.

Notwithstanding w^hat has just been said by the authorities
above quoted, there may be some reason to suspect a use for
perpendicular or tap roots — if, for no other purpose, to steady
the tree and to enable it, in conjunction with the horizontal
roots, to sustain itself in hurricanes and high winds. The
Gardeners Monthly forgets that many of the esculent roots
of his garden have nothing but tap roots with a few straggling
spongioles. Tap roots must be of use in their case, and the
nutriment they receive is , almost entirely through the tap
roots. But if the tap roots do not travel abroad in search of
food as do other roots, yet they may secure and elaborate sub-
stances contained in the subsoil, which is not the office of the
horizontal roots to supply, and which they cannot reach, such
as clay, iron, &c., so very necessary for the health and vigor
of many varieties of our fruit trees.

One reason that nurserymen and others do not save the tap
root, is because they cannot well do so in removing the young
tree. Unless pains is taken, it is always chopped or torn off;
and if it remains to the tree, it is much more difficult to set it
steadily and firmly in its new position, and to place the soil
closely about this and the crown and horizontal roots above.
There is but little doubt that a tree, well planted, with a tap
root entire, will stand a better chance to live and thrive and
grow oif freely than one without it — the deprivation of this
root may even effect the longevity of the tree. The only
question is, will it pay for the extra labor and care required
to preserve it.

OVER-BEARING.

The only practical and safe way to correct over-bearing, in
both the apple and pear, is by thinning the fruit; not the

132 ORCHARDS.

leaves and branches. When we attempt to correct this dispo-
sition by thinning out the branches, we are hable to injure
the tree and fill the head .with water-sprouts. We must bring
into actual use this much praised but seldom practiced expe-
dient— "thinning-out." It is applicable to the pear and peach
also — and, the idea is not so much to lessen the leverage
and weight as to prevent excessive production — for it is held
as an established fact that excessive reproduction destroys or
impairs vitality, not only as regards the vegetable but also
the animal economy. Many of our seedling apple trees
have never been properly pruned, or pruned at all, during all
their growth, and have arrived at maturity with a great crowd
of branches, a compact, bushy head, and will produce but little
and very small inferior fruit. Such trees should not be suf-
fered to remain in any orchard, unless quite sound and healthy,
when new tops of choice varieties could be given them by
o;raftincr.

It is well known to all experienced fruit growers that those
varieties that have open heads — as the Domine, Stanard, Hol-
land Pippin, Wine Saj), Minker, and many others produce fair
annual crops, and, all things considered, are much the most
reliable and profitable; whilst those of more compact bushy
heads, as the Lowel, Northern Spy, Winter Russet, Yellow
Bellefleur, and all others of this class are inclined to produce
biennial crops, with a strong tendency to overbear. The
plum and cherry are seldom pruned. At Alton, 111., "Dr.
Hull trims out the heads of the peach, and removes the fruit
from all twigs that fall heloiv a horizontal line. His fruit is
the largest sent to market and commands the highest price.
Others cut back so as to thicken the head of the tree, and to
protect the fruit from the direct rays of the sun ; while all
parties thin out the fruit. Thus far there has been about the
same success with both the above plans; one producing the
most fruit, and the other commanding the highest price."

When the fruit is about the size of a grape or small hickory
nut, "bring out the ladders" and relieve those trees that are
overburdened. Some may require half the crop to be picked
off — ^'others less. The orchardist will exercise his own judg-

ORCHARDS. 133

ment as to the proper quantity to be taken away. Persons
inexperienced in this business might suppose it an endless job
to go over the orchard for this purpose; but such should re-
collect that in many cases not more than one-fourth or one-
eighth of the trees will require such treatment; and, that the
work can be done in at least half the time required to go over
as many trees, picking the matured fruit for market or home
use. Thin all those fruits that are too numerous. By the
inosculation of the vessels of vegetables, when any parts of a
tree are destroyed, those in their vicinity become more vigor-
ous. On this account, when part of the fruit is taken away
as early as may be, the remaining part acquires more nutri-
ment. Add to this, that when the fruit is crowded, some of
it becomes precluded from the sun and air, and in consequence
does not perfectly ripen, and in some situations is likely to
become mouldy; for mould is a vegetable production, which,
like other fungi, does not require either much light or air,
as appears from the growth of some fungi in dark cellars,
and of common mushrooms beneath decayed beds of straw.

The following extract from a good English author, although
a digression and not applicable in every respect to apple cul-
ture, is, nevertheless, valuable and worthy of insertion here.

" Give additional moisture, manure and warmth during the
early part of the growth of fruit. By additional moisture the
fruit becomes larger; in hot houses, this may be eifected two
ways, one by watering the earth on which the vegetables grow,
and another by producing steam by watering the warm flues
or floors; which will afterwards, m the cooler hours, be again
condensed, and settle in the form of dew on the fruit and
kaves.

"' By supplying vegetables as well as animals with an abund-
ancy of fluid, they are liable to increase in bulk, both because
of the external cuticle, which confines the growth of both of
them, becomes relaxed, as is seen in the hands of those women
who for many hours have been engaged in washing; and also
because the cutaneous absorbent vessels will thus imbibe more
fluid from the external surface ; and the cellular absorbents

134 ORCHARDS.

will therefore imbibe less from the internal cells, and conse-
quently more mucus or fat will remain in them.

"Thus in Lancashire, where premiums are given for large
gooseberries, I am told that some of those who are solicitous
for the prizes not only thin the fruit of a gooseberry tree, so
as to leave but two or three gooseberries on a bunch, then by
supporting a tea saucer under each of these gooseberries,
bathe it for some weeks in so much water as to cover about
one-fourth of it, which they call sucking the gooseberry.

" There are two circumstances to be attended to in giving
water to plants or trees ; which are, not to water them during
the hot part of the day in Summer, nor in the evenings of
Spring, when a frost may be expected ; in both these circum-
stances we may be said to copy nature, as the rain is gener-
ally preceded by a cloudy sky, and is never accompanied by
frost; though that sometimes follows it, and is then very inju-
rious to vegetation.

" When plants have been long stimulated by a hot sunshine
into violent action, if this stimulus of heat be too greatly and too
suddenly diminished by the affusion of cold water, or by its
sudden evaporation, their vessels cease to act, and death en-
sues ; exactly as has too frequently happened to those who
have bathed in a cold stream, or spring of water, after having
been heated by violent and continued exercise on a hot day.
When severe frosts follow the watering of plants, they are
rendered torpid, and die by the too great and sudden diminu-
tion of the stimulus of heat; which is equally necessary to
the activity of vegetable as to animal fibres; and in some in-
stances the circulation of their fluids may be stopped by the
congelation of them; and in others, their vessels may be burst
by the expansion attending the conversion of water into ice;
or, lastly, by the separation of their different fluids by con-
gelation.

"When an addition of manure can be procured, as where
the black carbonic juice from a dung hill mixed with water,
or soapsuds, which have been used in washing, can be em-
ployed instead of water alone, it must undoubtedly add much

ORCHARDS. I6b

to the nutriment, and consequently greatly enlarge the size
and add to the quality and flavor of fruit by that means, also,
as well as by the additional water."

In an art'cle entitled "The Golden Age of Fruit Culture,"
the RmYil Annual Yem?ivks: "V^e may as well add in tliis
connection, that much may be done by way of restoring the
former smoothness of specimens, if the |Arc»/,>cr tJdnning out at
the 7'ight tinie^ is adopted. Yonder, for instance, is an apple
orchard at mid-Summer — most of the trees have twice as
many specimens growing upon them as they can develop at
full size and maturity with full flavor. It will be found, also,
that one-half or two-thirds of them are wormy or knotty. All
that the owner has to do, therefore, is to thin out all that are
bad or defective. He will do this many times more rapidly
than gathering the fruit, because he has to take no pains with
them. His crop Avill then be left in an excellent and fair
condition, and be far more saleable than if disfigured by an
intermixture of scrubbs. These remarks will also apply to
pears and peaches, with the addition that they are more likely
to be stung and rendered knotty by the curculio than the
apple."

The taking ofi' all that are wormy or knotty might not be
sufftcient, as those trees that are much crowded would not be
sufficiently relieved, and, the part remaining might be still too
numerous to allow fine size and flavor; consequently, the good
judgment of the owner, or orchardist, would, in such cases,
require him to still farther reduce the crop, even to one-half.

It is not to be denied, notwithstanding what has been said
about over-bearing, and its remedy, "picking off" — that many
orchards bear remunerative crops without any such assistance,
and, are naturally relieved of their superabundance of fruit,
by the most vigorous specimens crowding off and starving the
weakly ones. This, in some degree, is always the case — but
still enough may remain to exhaust the energies of the tree
and cause the fruit to be unfit for marketable purposes. The
trees may be broken and fatally injured, however, by the
leverage and weight of fruit, and the fruit rendered very in-
ferior in many cases, yet the great abundance of the crop —

136 ORCHARDS.

the use that may be made of it in this condition, in drying,
and other domestic purposes, such as making cider, brandy,
and for feeding stock, may be considered by some as a suffi-
cient equivalent for the care bestowed upon the trees without
inchiding thinning out.

But there is another consideration that should not be over-
looked. Trees whose fruit are properly thinned and regulated,
become, as a general thing, annual bearers when thus treated;
whereas, if they are entirely neglected in this regard, their
over-bearing is apt to cause biennial crops only — and the pro-
ducts of every other year are almost entirely lost; and, in-
deed, some trees, if suifered to mature a very heavy crop, will
not bear again until the tltird yeai% and consequently two
years are lost.

GENERAL REMARKS ON THE CULTIVATION OF
THE APPLE.

We have thought proper to append the following practical
article on "Apple Culture," from the pen of an experienced
Albemarle county, Virginia, farmer, (Professor J. Dinwiddle,
late of the University of Virginia,) as the sum and substance
of the entire art and science of apple culture. His views on
this subject so nearly correspond with those of the author, and
are so comprehensive and well written, that we gladly substi-
tute them for the general remarks we had intended to have
used in closing this part of our work :

" Having been for many years actively engaged in the col-
lection, preparation, and cultivation of fine kinds of fruits,
such as are best adapted to the soil and climate of the eastern
base of the Blue Ridge mountains in the States of Virginia
and of North Carolina, we believe that Ave can pen some plain,
practical information upon the cultivation of fruits which will
be useful to those who may desire to engage in this most
pleasant and profitable business. The apple, pear, peach,
cherry, and grape are the great fruits naturally adapted to the
soil and climate of this section of country, and are most pro-
fitable to the cultivator, and so easy of cultivation that every
farmer should have a choice and well-selected collection of

ORCHARDS. 137

them. The farm that has not growing thereon a large and
well-selected orchard is not a place fit for man to live at; and
we sav most emphatically to every farmer who has not a good
orchard, go to work at once and supply the greatest deficiency
on your farm. Plant and cultivate fruits for market and for
home consumption. The wife can have prepared for the table
many a tart and savory dish in which fruit will constitute the
main ingredient. The children will fairly dance over a basket
of ripe, ruddy fruit. The horses, the cows, the pigs, and the
fowls, are all fond of the product of the orchard, and it is good
and wholesome for all. Do not say that you are too old now
to plant an orchard. It would be a splendid legacy to be-
queath to those who are dear to you. Do not say that you
expect to sell out your farm, and therefore would not get the
benefit thereof; but if you do really wish to sell out, then go
to work at once and plant out a large orchard, and make
yours a place fit to live at, and if you still desire to sell out
(which we doubt if you do), you will not only find a purchaser,
but realize a handsome profit on the investment. Do not say
-that you have not the money to spare to buy the plants to
start the orchards, but sell a horse, or cow or two, or even a
corner of your large domains, to make the investment. Do
not say that it will be too long to wait before these young
plants will fruit in the orchard. Your seedling trees, that
have accidentally sprung up about your farm, will give you no
idea how soon you may obtain fruits from fine cultivated va-
rieties; and look around you and see if some neighbor did
not plant a few trees just before the war, and if he has given
them proper attention, hear him now talk about the golden
fruit, and ask what he would take to have those fruit trees
removed from his farm. In fine, make no excuses whatever,
but determine that the orchard shall be set in the approach-
ing season, and if you have made no choice collection of vari-
eties of fruits yourselves, and are not skilled in the propaga-
tion of these plants, then send your orders at once to some re-
liable nurseryman. The apple is the great fruit of all fruits
in the temperate zone. By a judicious selection of kinds to
ripen in succession, it may be had in perfection the whole year

138 ORCHARDS.

round; and as our space is limited, we will make the apple a
specialty in this article: In order to grow an orchard of fine
thrifty apple trees, which will produce an abundance of fine
fruit, after obtaining the necessary kinus to ripen in succes-
sion— of which we will speak more fully hereafter — we must
commence with the starting of the young plants, and inquire
what kind of material has been used by the propagator, what
mode has been practiced in the propagation, and whether or
not this material has been collected in a favorable or an unfa-
vorable fruit fvrowino; locality. The stock and the craft are
the material, and the mode is to insert the graft into the stock
either above or below the surface where the union is to take
place. Now, if the material to start these plants has been
collected and cultivated in an unfavorable locality for the
apple, we cannot hope for high perfection, but feeble trees,
imperfect fruit, and even death itself at no distant day, must
inevitably be the result. If the grafts have been cut from
water-sprouts, or the lower branches of the parent tree, that
is also objectionable, even in favorable localities; because the
water-sprouts are too long in fruiting, though fine growers.
The lower branches make poor, crooked-growing trees, although
the first to fruit. The mode of grafting, in common seedling
stocks, above the surface is a bad one, because some kinds
of apples are much more vigorous than other kinds are, and
when it happens to be the case (which occurs as often as other-
wise) that a graft of rapid growth is inserted above the surface
into a stock of small and uncertain growth, the stock is not
vigorous enough for the head, it is an ill-assorted union, and
will never do well. But if we wish to grow fine trees that
will produce the best fruits, we must choose for the parent
tree a fine, thrifty, young-bearing tree, in a favorable locality,
and cut from it the main leaders, only for the scions, and in-
sert them into healthy seedling stocks about four inches below
the surface, where the soil is deep and loamy, and new roots
will spring out of the scion itself above the union of the stock.
Graft in this way, and if there be great inequality in the
growth of the stock and graft, the graft will maintain itself
from its own roots. When the plants have been nicely culti-

ORCHARDS. 139

vated in the nursery rows two years, they are ready for trans-
planting into the orchard. They will then be from four to
six feet high, which is the best size to transplant; for small
size plants, with an even balance of fibrous roots, which they
should have, are transplanted with much less labor than large
ones. They take a deep and firm hold in the ground, are not
shaken and careened by high winds when clothed with foliage
in Summer time, as large-sized newly-transplanted trees are;
and lastly, the small-sized trees will often push up rapidly,
soon ov^ertake and shoot far ahead of the* large ones if the
large ones are not well attended to. Every side branch should
be removed at transplanting, and the main stem cut back to
three or three and a half feet from the roots, the topmost buds,
two or three, as it may be, will push out rapidly, and soon the
head will be formed. If only one bud (which is not often the
case) starts out, it should be pinched off to three buds on the
new growth. But we are getting along too fast, not having
given due importance to the preparation of the borders and
the transplanting. We prefer a thorough preparation of the
whole soil in the plat by the plow and sub-soiler, if the soil
is not naturally deep, to the digging of large holes, which is
too laborious, and when holes are dug, the trees are almost
certain to be transplanted too deep, which is a great error with
many who are not experienced. We take a turning plow, two
or three horses, and plow out the rows in the fallowed land,
running two or three times in the same furrow, at from thirty
to thirty-five feet distance; then cross in like manner; then
scrape back the melloAv soil a little from the cross, and spade
out about a bushel of the clay and fill in until nearly full with
mellow soil, shaping to suit the roots of the plant. Set in the
plant, straightening out the roots to their natural position,
working the fine dirt well in about the starting out of the roots,
being careful to have the plant when the earth settles no
deeper than it grew in the nursery. Trees thus pknted re-
quire no staking, which would be a disadvantage, aside from
the labor it would require. Keep the soil mellow and loose
about them as you would about corn, adding a httle surface
manure of almost any kind, working it in occasionally; and,

140 ORCHARDS.

be assured, you will gather fruit there in a very few years.
Prune thoroughly for the first four or five years by thinning
out the heads of the trees, by cutting out all crowded and
crossing branches; shape to the form of a pyramid by pre-
serving a main leader, and cutting back all rambling side
branches. This may be performed at any time that you may
be passing, and w^ith no greater weapon than a pocket-knife
and by pinching with the forefinger and thumb. A little
judgment and experience will soon enable the fruit grower to
understand this performance. What kinds to cultivate is, per-
haps, the most puzzling question (even to the experienced
orchardist) in the whole matter, although there are hundreds
of kinds of apples of high reputation in certain locahties, de-
scribed and figured in the catalogues of nurserymen, and
recommended for general cultivation. It does not hold good
that any kind of apple that has succeeded in some particular
locality will suit at all the soil and climate of another; for
instance, experience teaches us that almost all northern apples
of high reputation — that is, those kinds that have had their
origin in the North — are comparatively worthless when culti-
vated as far south as Virginia. There are only a few kinds
of Summer and Fall apples from the North that have done
well with us. Their finest winter apples are not to be relied
upon at all as late keepers here. Their Winter apples become
Fall apples here, and their Fall apples become late Summer
apples, and their Summer apples ripen much earlier here than
there. The "Early Joe," from the State of New York, is a
Summer apple of superior excellence here. The "Mother"
apple, trom Massachusetts, is a delightful Fall fruit here, and
some of their Winter apples — such as " Northern Spy," " King
of Tompkin's City" — are fine Fall fruit here; and there are
some foreign varieties — for instance, "Red Astrachan," "Yel-
low Bellefleur," &c. — w^hich have proved to be very good here.
" Climate, soil, and situation exert a mighty influence, not
only over the apple alone, but every other species of fruit.
This is very apparent to any careful observer in any neigh-
borhood, even here in this fine fruit o-rowino: section of coun-
try. 'For instance, the "Albemarle Pippin," transplanted

ORCHARDS. 141

outside cf its natural home, a good, rich mountain h^am and
elevated position, is not worth cultivating; and, on the con-
trary, the "Wine Sap," and many other kinds, thrive best on
least elevated places, and in a soil of a different description.
Almost everv neii2;hborhood in this favored section has one or
more fine natural kinds which have sprung up from seed, and
it is upon these that we must build our hopes, especially for late
keepers ; and we are happy to say that we have some natural
productions that far excel in form, color, and high flavor any
thing that we have seen that came from the North or from
Europe.

"As. I said that the apple was the great fruit of all fruits,
the "Pilot Apple," a natural seedling of Nelson county, Va.,
is the great apple of all apples in our acquaintance. The
tree is a magnificent grower, apparently hardy as an oak.
The fruit is large, handsomely formed, and of the finest
flavor, both for the dessert and for cooking. But, to close
this article, already long, I will name a few kinds that have
proved best with us, and will name them in order as they
ripen: Striped July, Early Harvest, Red Astrachan, large
Yellow Bough, American Summer Pearmain, Fall Pippin,
Annate Apple, Fall Cheese, Yellow Bellefleur, Mother Apple,
Vandevere of New York, King of Tompkin's City, Northern
Spy, Raule's Genet, Pilot Apple, Albemarle Pippin, Wine
Sap, Limbertwig, Father Abraham, and Black's Hardtimes.

"J. D.

"P. S. — As to the best time to transplant, I would say any
time thai the ground is in good working order, from the fall of
the leaf to the putting forth of the buds — a damp day to be
preferred. J. D."

WARNING.

In the selection of varieties, the orchardist should be influ-
enced by the climate of his location. The climates, even of
the South, difl"er very much. The reputation of many fruits
will greatly depend on their location. W^hat may be strictly
true of a fruit raised in the Valley of Virginia, may be as
strictly false of the same variety if grown in the maritime dis-

142 ORCHARDS.

tricts of Georgia or South Carolina. In the one case, it may
be of the very best quality, and in the other, entirely Avorth-
less.

In the following Lists of Apples, the author has taken much
pains, perhaps more than any other author, to impress upon
the pomologist the importance of judicious' selections of vari-
eties, so that he may exercise proper discrimination — for his
success or failure depends, in a great degree, on careful selec-
tion. Our nurserymen are, generally, reliable and intelligent,
and those who design planting an orchard would do well to
consult those nearest their location, and patronize the nursery
whose soil and climate come nearest to that in Avhich the trees
are to be planted.

It is seldom necessary or profitable to plant a great number
of varieties — only the amateur can afford to do this ; but con-
fine your choice to a few of the very best varieties for each
season, however large may be the orchard, which, from the
best information you can get, are adapted to your locality.

ORCHARDS.

143

SOUTHERX AND WESTERN APPLES— REVISED CATALOGUE.

Selected from the Catalogue of the Committee of Revision, presented and
accepted at the meeting of the American Pomological Society, held at
Richmond, F«,, in September, 187L

r

ve. <

F.

F.

M.

F.

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V

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Season

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W.'

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A.

L. A.

W.

W.
L. A.

W.
L.A.

S.

w.
w.
s.
w.
w.
w.

Am. Summer Pearmain ] ^^■

Albemarle Pippin *=^

American Gulden Russet....' =>

Ben. Davis *=■:

Brooke's Pippin 1 ^■

Danver'i) Winter Sweet .*■■•

Dutchess of OWenburg ' ="•

Carolina Red June ';*=^

Cannon Pearmain *=•

Early Harvest ■*='

Early Rod Margaret I =■

Early Strawberry — Red Ju-\

neating I -

Domine j =•

Fall Queen — Budnngliam,^

Batchelor .*•■=

Fall Pippin i ''-

Falla water — Tulpehocken j*=^

Gilpin — Cart House :*='

Gravenstein { ^■

Green Cheese ='

Hewe's Va. Crab — {cider)... A =•■

Horse j =

Junaluskeo ; ■■

Loudon Pippin j '■

Large YeJlov.- Bough I ■■

Lawver ! j

Ijimbertwig |

McAfee's Kouesuch i

One '• designates recommended.

Two '^"•^" gives the character of superiority for family and market use.

The t indicates varieties that have been on trial not less than 5 years.

F, — Family use.

P. M.— Family and Market.

*This fine French apple was introduced and named by Mr. Jefferson,
and was first naturalized in Albemarle county, Virginia. Mr. Jefferson
obtained the scions during the administration of Washington, through
the French Minister, M. Genet, whilst he was Secretary of State. The
scions were placed in the hands of Mr. Rawles, of Virginia, a nursery-
man by profession, and were disseminated throughout this State and
Kentucky. The name has been mis-spelt in various ways. It should
be Ra-w-1-e-s' G-e-n-e-t. We get the most of this information from the
loth Report of the American Pomological Society.

NEW APPLES.

Maiden's Blush

*

*
*.

Michael Henry Pippin

Milam

Nickajack {of forty names)...

Pryor's Red...

*

*
*
*
*

:!=
:!=
**

*

t
t

t

*Rawles' Genet (worthy **},
Romaiiite, of the South......

Shockley.;

Sumnit'r Rose

^Vau^'li's Crab '^cider^

Wellfoi-d's Yellow

Wliite Juneating

Wine

Wine Sap (has a wide range)

Winter Sweet Paradise

Yellow Belli'fieur

York Imperial

Pilot

Baltimore . .

Grimes' Golden Pii)pin

Use. \ Season

K.M.

E.A.

F. M.

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K.M.

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K.M.

w.

F. M.

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AV.

F.

W.

The following list of new Southern apples was favorably
spoken of by the Committee on New Fruits at the 13th session
of the American Pomological Society, held at Richmond, in
September, 1871. The most of these fruits were winter vari-
eties, and the specimens unripe :

144 ORCHARDS.

Mason s Stranger. Unripe, Brunswick county, Ya., (by J.

R. Jones.)

Eight other unnayned seedlings^ all unripe, same county and

State, (by the same.)

Pilot. Unripe, Nelson county, Ya , (by the same.)
Seedling. Fair looking, Nelson Co., Ya., (by G. W. Purvis.)
Dinwiddie. Unripe, Albemarle county, Ya., (from W. W.

Dinwidclie.)

A seedling. Unripe, fair looking, Albemarle county, Ya..

(from the same.)

Via. Good, Albemarle county, Ya., (by Dollins & Bro.)
Yancgs Prize. Good to very good, Albemarle county, Ya.,

(by the same.)

llatilda. Good to very g >od, Albemarle county, Ya*, (by

the same.)

Ragland. Yery good, Albemarle Co., Ya., (by the same.)
Brown s Seedling. Rockbridge Co., Ya., (F. Davis k Co.)
Seedlings. Some fair looking, but all unripe, Rockbridge

county, Ya., (B. H. Jones.)

TIDE- WATER REGIOX— YIRGINIA.

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY.

List furnished hy Dixen W. Kitchen.

Early Summer. — May apple. Yellow June, Princess' Har-
vest, Hagloe, Red Astrachan, Gravenstein.

Summer. — Horse apple. Orange Pippin, Cathead, Sheep-
nose, Pound apple, Gregory's Red.

Autumn. — Wine Sap, Gordon's Seedling, Baltimore Red,
Fallatvater (Tulpehocken), Limbertwig, Beaman's Seedling.

Winter. — Large Yine, Isaac, Matimuskite, Nansemond
Beauty, Ridley, Golden Pippin.

For cider and brand}', the Gregory and Horse apple are
the most approved.

The above list, furnished by an experienced orchardist, -who
gro^YS the fruits he recommends, is valuable, being adapted to
the T^ide-water regions of Yirginia and North Carolina.

ORCHAKDS. 145

LIST OF EAKLY BEARING VARIETIES.

The following varieties are generally very early bearers,
and, in order to sustain vigorous growth in the young trees,
the fruit in many cases will have to be thinned out when a
little less than the size of a hickory nut :

Juneating^ white, long stem, (earliest Va. apple) ; G-olden
Dixie — This is a new variety from seed, originated in the
seedling orchard of the author of this work. It is a large
bright yellow, crisp, juicy, sub-acid, tender apple, matures in
August, and will be propagated in the Nursery and Experi-
mental Orchards of the Hermitage Nurseries, Richmond, Ya.,
by Mr. John M. Allan; Smith's Cider; Sweet Jime (or
High Top Sweet); Early Pennock; A. S, Pearmain; Fall
Wine; Fall Queen; Fameuse; Lowell; Monte Bello ; Ben.
Davis; Domine; Jonathan; Limbertwig; Ramanite ; Wine
Sap; Catline (Coxe, Thompson), G-regson Apple; Summer
Sweet Paradise (August and September) ; Ramsdell's Sweet-
ing (October to February).

LIST OF APPLES FOR SANDY SOILS.

Yellow Bellefleur, finest quality; Morris' Winter (Han-
over, Ya., new); American Summer Pearmain; Rambo (a
native of the banks of the Delaware); Winter Pearmain
(Coxe) ; Pearmain, Herfordshire ; Yandevere ; Wine Sap ;
Cooper's Russeting (cider); Minister; Peck's Pleasant;
Priestly (Coxe, Thompson).

VARIETIES FOR SLATY SOILS.

The following varieties originated in slaty soils, or are well
adapted to such soils :

Roman Beauty — A good fall and early Winter apple ; large,
yellow and bright red, bears young and full and regularly,
one of the best, (Ohio) ; G-olden Dixie ; large, yellow Sum-
mer apple, best, (already described); Winter Pearmain (Coxe);
Herefordshire Pearmain, (Thompson) ; Wine Sap, (stand-
ard) ; Cooper 8 Russeting, (Coxe), cooking or cider. It makes
11

Yellow Bellefleur Apple.

ORCHARDS. 147

exceedingly strong cider ; Tyler s Rennet, (new), Virginia —
late Summer, of very superior quality.

CIDER APPLES FOR GENERAL CULTIVATION.

Wine Sap ; Wine Apple ; Hewe's Virginia Crab ; Hagloe
Crab, (early cider and vinegar) ; Cooper's Russeting, (sandy
soils) ; Gilpin, (Carthouse), Virginia apple, good, very pro-
ductive ; Harrison, ten bushels make a barrel of cider, good ;
Campfield, next to the Harrison ; Smith's Cider, medium to
large, also fine for cooking; French Crab, productive, noakes
fine cider ; Rawles' (r^enet, late, productive ; Red Streak,
handsome grower and great bearer, (English.)

APPLES FOR PRESERVING OR FOR ORNAMENT.

Siberian Crab — Rich and beautiful.

Large Red Siberian Crab — Large tree, highly esteemed.

Yellow Siberian Crab — Larger than the red, highly
esteemed.

Chinese Crab — Double flowering, show^y blossoms and
fruit.

Hyslop's Crab — Large, deep crimson, very popular at the
West.

Transcendant Crab — Very beautiful, red and yellow, tree
strong grower.

Golden Beauty, Crab — Medium size, yellow, with red cheek ;
beautiful.

SELECT LIST OF APPLES FOR SMALL ORCHARDS
OR GARDENS.

FOR GENERAL CULTIVATION.

Winter. — Albemarle Pippin, (Va.) ; Wine Sap ; Falla-
water; Gully, (South Carolina); Nickajack, (Southern);
Pilot, (Nelson Co., Va.); Pryor's Red; Grims' Golden, (annual,
best); Sweet Genet, new, (escapes frost); Swaar; Rawles'
Genet; Limbertwig; Hubbardston Nonesuch.

Fall. — Gravenstein ; Yellow Bellefleur, (Nov.) ; Powers,
large, beautiful, (Ohio seedling) ; Dominie ; Fall Pippin ;

148 ORCHARDS.

Rambo ; Maiden's Blush ; American Golden Russet ; Porter ;
Baldwin ; Smith's Cider, good for all purposes ; Mote Sweet,
sup. new, from N. C. seedling ; Celestia, very best, new,
from N. C. seedling.

Summer. — White Juneating; Red Astrachan; Early Har-
vest ; Early Margaret ; Bough, large sweet ; Red June ;
Golden Dixie, best, new ; Summer Queen ; Caroline June, red;
Benoni ; Sweet June ; Sops of Wine.

LIST FOR THE TIDE- WATER OR MARITIME DIS-
TRICT OF THE SOUTH.

SUMMER APPLES.

Bough, Large Sweet, July and August.

Early Harvest, June and July.

Red Astrachan, July to August.

Sweet Bough, during August.

Early Red Margaret, about first July.

Red June (Carolina Red), June and first July.

Large Yellow Bough, July and August.

Summer Queen, first of August.

White Juneating, middle to last June.

American Summer Pearmain, high flavored, splendid.

Golden Dixie, this is a splendid, large, tender, yellow,
apple; August, origin Albemarle Co., Va.

Hagloe, (Coxe), superior for table and for cider, ripe in
August.

Julian (Southern variety), yellow and crimson, medium
size, high flavored, very promising, August.

Summer Sweet Paradise, large, pale green, tinged with
yellow, very good, August.

Sweet June, (High top sweet), yellow and red, very good,
June and July.

AUTUMN APPLES.

BeUefleur, Yelloto, November, (February in the Valley
of Virginia.)

Dominie, November, late Fall.

ORCHARDS. 149

Fall Pippin, September to November.

Hamho, late Autumn, best.

Smith's Cider, November, cooking and cider.

Oatline, (Coxe, Thompson), native of Maryland, first rate,
late Fall.

Fall or Holland Pippin, one of the finest and most beauti-
ful apples, (European.)

Smokehouse, large, roundish striped, fine quality, November.

Maideyis Blush, medium size, pale yellow, with red cheek,
tender and pleasant, beautiful.

Grvavenstein, very large, striped, first quality, September.

Vandevere, (Coxe, Thompson, Floy.), Oxeye of Ohio and
Indiana ; a native of AVilmington, Delaware. When in per-
fection is one of the most beautiful and finest of apples;
large and roundish yellow ground, marbled with red, flesh
yellow crisp, tender, with a sprightly flavor, flourishes in a
light, rich, sandy soil.

WINTER APPLES.

Dominie. First class, early Winter, richly flavored.

Fallaivater. Best ; November to Januf^ry.

Carthouse or Romanite. December to April, (for Virginia
and the Carolinas.)

Jonathan. Productive, tender, juicy ; November to March.

Limbertwig. Good grower and bearer ; January to April.

Nickajack. Large, tree very robust, long keeping; South-
ern apple.

Pilot. (Origin Nelson Co., Va.,) first class, new, worth
trying.

Pryor's Red. Old, first-class, (Virginia) ; Nov. to March.

Pomme D'Api, or Lady Apple. Nov. to May ; celebrated.

Rawles' Genet. Never fail, one of the best, escapes frost ;
December to April.

Vandevere. Most beautiful ; rich, light sandy soil.

Waxen Apple. Eastern Virginia (Coxe), skin yellow, Ver-
million blush, waxy, tender ; November to February.

Wine Sap. Good in most soils and situations, especially
those of light sandy texture.

150 ORCHARDS.

Cooper's Russeting. Splendid cider apple for sandy soils ;
November.

Gilpin. A handsome cider fruit from Virginia (Downing),
February to May.

Hewe's Virginia Crab. An unsurpassed cider apple,
makes a bright liquor, keeps all Summer.

Harrison. The celebrated cider apple of New Jersey, ten
bushels make a barrel of cider.

Peck's i^Pleasant. Large, clear yellow, red in the sun ;
gravelly soils ; early Winter.

Baldwin. Large and fine, does well in most situations.

Woolman's Long or white Bellefleur. (Southern portions of
the West) ; great bearer.

American White Winter Calville. Large, pale yellow,
(origin Virginia) ; December to May*

Mason Pippin. (Origin Brunswick Co., Va) ; new, beau-
tiful, large ; December to April.

Wine Apple. (Downing) ; handsome table and cider fruit.

Dutch Magnonne. (Downing) ; magnificent, delicious ;
November to February.

Buff Apple. Succeeds well in North Carolina ; high re-
commendations from Buncome Co.

Gully. (South Carolina); splendid, November to March.

Swaar. Very fine, rich deep sandy soil ; Winter.

Spitzenburg. Rich and excellent ; November to February.

Grimes' Golden. (Grimes' Golden Pippin) ; an apple of
the highest quality (Va.) ; November to May.

LIST FOR THE MOUNTAINOUS SECTIONS OF THE

SOUTH.

Including the Piedmont Region of Virginia^ and corresponding
j)ortlons of Maryland.

Summer Apples.

Summer Queen. Large, conical, striped with red, very rich,
high flavor ; July and August.

American Summer Pearmain. Medium size, smooth skin,
tender and juicy; September.

ORCHARDS. 151

Early Harvest Medium, pale yellow, sub-acid, best early,
market apple.

Astraclian Red. Large, nearly covered with deep crimson,
juicy, rich ; July and August.

Golden Dixie. Originated in Albemarle Co., Va., large,
bright yellow, flesh white, crisp, juicy, rich, very superior ;
August.

Bough, Large Sweet. Large, pale yellow, sweet rich flavor ;
July and August.

May Apple. Small, round, pale yellow, sub-acid ; June in
Virginia ; for South.

Summer Rose. Rather small, yellow with red cheek, flesh
tender ; June and July.

Early Margaret. Medium to small, bright red, crisp juicy ;
July.

Early Strawberry. Medium, striped with deep red, tender,
sub-acid ; July and August.

Summer Pippin. Rather large, yellow, flesh white, juicy,
tender; August.

Keswick Codlin. Large, oblong, pale yellow, acid, excel-
lent for cooking ; July to October.

Red Juneating, Red June, or Carolina Red. Small or
medium, deep red, good, hardy ; June and July.

Striped Juneating, sometimes called Red Margaret. Believed
to be distinct, best quality.

White Juneating. Small, yellow, faint blush, flesh white,
crisp, great bearer, earliest, June.

Early Ripe. Large, oblong, yellow, tender, juicy, sub-
acid, productive ; early July.

Woolman's Harvest. A handsome striped apple, fine fla-
vor ; ripens early in July.

Golden Sweet. Large, medicinal, round, pale yellow, flesh
tender, sweet and rich ; August.

Spice Sweet. Large, flat, smooth, pale yellow ground,
bright red; early in August.

Summer Bellefleur. Large, handsome, a good grower
and bearer ; August.

152 ORCHARDS.

Julian Summerour. A fine apple cultivated in Habersham
Co., Georgia.

Earli/ Joe. Fruit medium, color pale yellowish green,
mixed with stripes and splashes of dark red, flesh yel-
lowish white, tender crisp. Most delicious of all Summer
apples.

Summer Sweet Paradise. Large, roundish, pale green,
sometimes tinged with yellow in the sun ; flesh crisp, tender,
very juicy, with a sweet, rich aromatic flavor ; tree a mode-
rate grower and great bearer ; very good ; August.

Coles Queen Apple. Large to very large, flatish conical,
bright yellow, flesh when firet ripe, firm, juicy, pleasant acid;
when mellow, remarkably tender, of a mild rich quince flavor,
and aroma ; July to September.

FALL APPLES.

Alexander. This is a magnificent Russian apple — fruit large,
superb ; beautiful large blossoms ; January.

Rambo. Medium, round, greenish yellow, tender, juicy and
pleasant; October to January.

Dominie. Medium, flat, greenish yellow, sub-acid, juicy and
rich; late Fall and early Winter.

Bellefleur, Yellow. Large, oblong, yellow, with a blush —
rich; late Autumn.

Beauty of Kent. Very large, striped with red, juicy,
crisp, tender ; October.

Butter. Rather large, striped with red, sweet, best cooking ;
September.

Gravenstein. Large, roundish, striped with red, tender,
juicy, rich, best ; September.

Fall Pippin. Very large, smooth skin, yellowish green,
very best ; September to December.

Baldwin. Large, mostly colored with red, crisp and rich,
first class ; November and December.

Maiden's Blush. Medium to large, pale yellow, with car-
mine blush, tender, sprightly ; August to October.

Red Streak. Medium to large, round, yellow striped,
tinged 'with red, juicy, pleasant ; October to December.

ORCHARDS. 153

Smokehouse. Large, oblate, striped with red, firm, juicj,
crisp and rich ; September to December.

Red Siberian Crab. Already described ; last September
find October.

Yellow Siberian Crab. Already described ; October.

Sweet Red Streak. Medium, striped with red, sweet fla-
vor, very productive ; September to December.

Porter. Rather large, bright yellow, tender crisp, sub-
acid ; September and October.

Rhode Island Greening. Large, green, popular apple ;
November.

Vandevere. Above medium, striped yellow and red — rich,
good bearer; last of October to December.

Robinson's White. Medium, crisp, juicy, highly esteemed;
October and November.

Summer Rambo. Large, striped with red, mild, sub-acid ;
September and October.

Buckingham. Large, skin clear, pale yellow, juicy, sweet,
tender, rich; November.

Jersey Sweeting. Best quality — succeeds well in all situa-
tions ; September to October.

French Crab. Very productive, vigorous grower, fine cider
apple.

Hewe's Virginia Crab. The old and popular cider apple
of the South.

Smith's Cider. Medium to large — the rival of the Virginia
crab — supersedes it in Maryland.

Quince Ajwle. (Coxe) Large, flatish, yellow; flesh yellow-
ish; juicy, crisp — very pleasant ; November.

Gopse Pen. Somewhat resembles the Wine Sap, and by
no means its inferior; November to March.

Fall Wine. Highly recommended by Ohio Fruit Conven-
tion. (No description.)

Ahram or ^'Father Ahram.'' Medium, striped with red —
keeps well ; April.

Twenty Ounce Apple. (H. Mag.) Downing. A very large,
showy apple. It is a good sprightly fruit, though not very
high flavored; but its remarkably handsome appearance, and

Wine Sap Apple.

ORCHARDS. 155

extra large size, render it one of the most popular fruits in
market. The tree is thrifty, and makes a compact head;
bears regular crops, and the fruit is always fair and hand-
some. Fruit very large, roundish, skin slightly uneven, yel-
lowish green, delicately striped, and splashed with red, which
on the sunny side quite covers the surface. Flesh not very
fine grained, juicy, sprightly, with a pleasant sub-acid flavor.

WINTER APPLES.

Wine Sap. Fruit medium size, roundish, deep red, skin
smooth, with few streaks, a. little yellow on shady side, flesh
yellow, crisp, firm, high flavor, rich. We adopt the language
of an eminent Virginia nurseryman,* and say: "We can
scarcely find words sufiiciently strong to express the high
opinion we have of this fruit, possessing, as it does, a combi-
nation of so many excellent qualities. For cider, it has but few
equals; for the table, it stands among the best; for keeping,
it is justly esteemed; and for bearing it scarcely has a rival."t

Albemarle Pippin. " Large, roundish, irregular, smooth,
yellowish green; flesh yellow, firm, juicy, aromatic and rich.
The great Winter apple of the Piedmont section, but inclined
to speck in Tide-water Virginia — does well in some portions
of the Valley of Virginia; January to April." Described as
above by the President of the Virginia Nursery and Wine
Corupany, Richmond. Mr. Davis says: "We consider the
Albemarle Pippin, Newtown Pippin, and Brooks' Pippin as
identical. No apple stands higher in the market than this,
or brings as high a price. It succeeds finely in the red soil
of the mountains and rich valleys of the Piedmont region, and
in most parts of the Valley of Virginia. It requires a deep,
rich, w^arm soil to bring it to its highest perfection. (Suc-
ceeds admirably in Jefi'erson and Berkley counties, Va.) Most

* Franklin Davis, Esq., of the Richmond, Va., Nursery.

fMr. C. T. Botts, of the Southern Planter, said, in 1845, ''Take it
altogether, we believe it is the finest apple that grows in America — and
if we were setting out an orchard of a thousand trees, eight hundred of
them should be Wine Saps."

156 ORCHARDS.

fruit gro"svers contend that this splendid apple is h on a fide an
Albemarle County, Virginia, apple.

Pryor's Red. Above medium, reddish russet, rich, and
high flavored — a popular old variety in Eastern Virginia, and
farther South — a native of Virginia; November to March.

Pom.me D' Api^ or Lady Apple. A beautiful dessert fruit;
November to May.

Rawles' Genet. Already described. Succeeds in most of
the West and South.

Nickajack. Large, globular, dull red, sub-acid — tree very
robust. A Southern apple, valuable as a long keeping vari-
ety; January to April.

Limbertwig. A well known old Southern apple — above
medium size, color dull, purplish red, flavor sub-acid, rich,
aromatic — tree thrifty and very productive — keeps well ; Feb-
ruary to April.

Swaar. Large, pale lemon yellow, with dark red dots —
rich and spicy — slender grower, moderate bearer, but excel-
lent quality — worthy of general culture ; middle of November
to April.

Spitzenburg Esopus. Above medium, deep red, with gray
spots, rich and excellent — does rather better in the Valley of
Virginia and Southwestern States ; November to February.

Cartliouse, or Romanite. Medium, round, striped, sub-
acid and agreeable — an early and heavy bearer — a very valu-
able variety for Eastern Virginia and North Carolina.

Baldwhi. Large, roundish, skin yellow in the shade, with
a blush in red soils. Nearly covered and striped with crim-
son— crisp, juicy, rich — succeeds well in the mountains of
Virginia and North Carolina; October to January.

White Winter Pearmain. Medium to large, light yellow,
tender, rich, mild, sub-acid — tree strong grower and produc-
tive; December to March. Also highly esteemed at the West
and Southwest.

Winter Siveet Paradise. Large^ globular, yellowish white,
tender,^ ju^cy, very sweet; December to March. A great
bearer and fair fruit.

ORCHARDS. 157

*Lady Apple. Small, glossy, and beautiful. Described
farther on.

Yellow Bellefleur. Large, oblong, with a blush on one
s;.de — juicy rich flavor. Tree a rapid grower and very pro-
ductive. In the Tidewater districts, to which it is well adapted,
it is a late Fall appk. In the Valley of Virginia it keeps
until February or March. It always commands a high price
in market. Coxe first described this fruit. The original tree
grew in Burlington, New Jersey. We follow Thompson, says
Downing, in calling it Bellefleur, from the beauty of its
blossoms, with the class of French apples to which it belongs.
It is well adapted to slaty, sandy, and thrives well in lime-
stone soils.

JSen. Davis. (Kentucky Red Streak.) Large, handsome,
striped apple of excellent quality. Tree very hardy, vigorous
and productive — a late keeper — highly esteemed in the West
and Southwest.

Grimes' Golden (Grimes' Golden Pippin). An apple of
the highest quality, equal to the Albemarle or Newtown
Pippin — medium to large size, yellow — tree hardy, vigorous,
productive; originally from Virginia; grown in Southern
Ohio and throughout the South and West; January to April.

Buff Apple. A celebrated North Carolina apple — very
fine, large size — much cultivated in Buncombe county.

Cullasaga. A fine apple, cultivated in Habersham county,
Georgia.

Mason Pippin. Origin, Brunswick county, Va. A beau-
tiful yellow Pippin, bearing a close resemblance to the Albe-
marle Pippin, of which it is probably a seedling, and esteemed
as equal to it. Medium to large, bright clear yellow; shaded
on one side with light russet dots; flesh white, crisp and
juicy — rich sweet flavor ; December to April.

King of Tompkins County. Large, yellowish, shaded

*This splendid little market apple is popular in Norfolk, London, and Paris. It often
commands from S^IO to $30, when carefully selected and packed, and shipped in fine order.
It is well adapted to the upland parts of Maryland, and red land counties of Virginia
and North Carolina. All farmers who cultivate for market should give special atten-
tion to this beautiful and profitable variety.

158 ORCHARDS.

■with red, splashed with crimson ; tender, with a rich vinous
flavor.

Ahram. Medium, striped with red — flesh rather firm, with
an agreeable aromatic flavor — a good bearer, and keeps well ;
April.

Beverly 8 Red. Large red, showy, keeps well, ; quality
very good.

Cullasaga. Large, red, high-flavored, vigorous grower and
good keepers ; January to April.

Jonathan. Medium, roundish, ovate, tender and juicy —
skin yellow, covered with bright red stripes — slender growth,
but productive; November to March.

Gully. A South Carolina apple — medium size, green,
striped with red skin — high flavor and a good keeper; No-
vember to March.

Fallaivater, or Tidpehochen. Large, greenish yellow, with
dull red cheek, slightly conical, juicy, sub-acid — vigorous
grower, and very j^roductive ; w^orthy of general culture; No-
vember to January.

Comah's Sweet. Medium, green, rich, aromatic, crooked,
straggling grower ; November to May.

Milam. Rather below medium size, smooth, yellow,
covered with marbled red and indistinct stripes — flesh white,
tender, crisp, juicy; flavor sub-acid, tree a regular annual
hearer, very productive; November to February. Very
popular in the Piedmont district, where it succeeds admir-
ably.

Dominie. Large size, flat, striped with red — flesh white,
juicy, firm, mild, sub-acid, sprightly, pleasant flavor; keeps
through Winter into Spring; a rapid grower and prodigious
bearer. In the Valley of Virginia, and West Virginia, it is
a first class Winter apple — deserves extensive cultivation.

Ramho. Medium, round, greenish yellow, striped with
red, tender, juicy and pleasant — tree vigorous, erect, and
very productive ; is one of the best early winter apples for
the Piedmont and Valley regions, and stands at the head of the
list of Autumn apples in the maritime sections of the South.

ORCHARDS. 159

Red Streak. " An English apple, — Medicinal ; rich, firm,
dry, a handsome grower and great bearer." (Coxe). "A capi-
tal English cider apple — it makes a rich, high-flavored, strong
liquor, and thrives admirably in this country. Handsome
grower and great bearer." (Downing.) " Medium to large,
round, yellow striped, and clouded wnth bright red ; flesh
yellow, juicy and very pleasant; November and December."
(Allan).

Romanite or CartJwuse. Medium size, roundish, oblong,
striped, and shaded with deep red on greenish yellow ground ;
flesh yellow, firm, juicy, rich, becoming tender and sprightly
in the Spring ; valuable and well adapted to the South — an
early and profuse bearer ; January to May.

Roxhury Russet. A popular market fruit — excellent — a
prodigious bearer, and keeps until late in the Spring. Fruit
medium size, sometimes large, roundish, surface rough, green-
ish, covered with russet — valuable for its long keeping quali-
ties— does not shrivel as some other native Russets, or
"Leather Coats" do.

Pilot. A new variety of great promise,* recently dissem-
inated from Nelson county, Va., where it originated, and
stands ''ptitr excellence among apples." Size large, round,
sometimes approaching conical ; color, striped with red on
yellow ground, overspread with dots and specks of russet ;
flesh yellowish, fine-grained, crisp and juicy, with a mild,
sub-acid flavor ; a good bearer, and keeps well and late ; De-
cember to March.

Pryors Red. A very large and valuable market apple —
well adapted to general cultivation — native of Virginia.
(Already described).

Niekajack. An apple of high Southern reputation — fruit
roundish, large, skin striped and splashed with crimson —
flesh yellow, tender, crisp, juicy, with a fine rich sub-acid
flavor ; November to May.

* The Pomological Society and Agricultural Societies of this State have awarded pre-
miums for this flue new apple. Its popularity in the Piedmont region of Virginia is
unbounded. The original tree is still standing in Nelson county. Mr. Allan, Presi-
dent of tlie Virginia Horticultural and Pomological Society, says of this apple : " A
Tariety of good promise, recently received from Nelson county, Va., where it originated,
and stands i>ar excellence among apples." We give his description of this tine fruit.

160 ORCHARDS.

Limbertwig. An old, well known Southern apple ; Janu-
ary to June ; hardy — will grow in various soils — valuable.

LIST FOR THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA.

West Virginia, and Southwestern States, including portions
of the Western States.

SUMMER VARIETIES.

Early Harvest, Rather large, round, yellow, flesh nearly
white, tender, juicy, crisp, with a rich, sprightly, sub-acid
flavor ; tree very productive — taking all its qualities into con-
sideration, it has no superior amongst early apples ; July.

Early Margaret. Medium to small — oblong, bright red,
crisp, juicy, sub-acid ; tree erect pyramidical form ; good
bearer — an excellent apple, ripening latter part July, directly
after the Early Harvest.

Golden Dixie.* Large, very bright yellow, sub-acid, crisp,
tender, excellent ; August.

Astrachan Red. Large, roundish, nearly covered with
deep crimson, and thick bloom, juicy, rich, sub-acid — tree a
vigorous grower and good bearer ; last of July to last of
August. This is a fruit of extra beauty ; was imported into
England from Sweden in 1816.

Early Strawherry Apple. A beautiful variety, which is
said to have originated in the neighborhood of New York
city — already described ; middle of August.

Americayi Summer Pearmain. (Thomp.) A rich, highly
flavored fruit — medium size, oblong, nearly covered with
streaks and dots of red ; flesh tender, juicy and rich; sub-acid
flavor, fine, bears early and abundantly ; continues in use
several weeks ; August and Septernber. This is a valuable
apple for all purposee ; it thrives a'dmirably on moist soils,
especially those that are rich and sandy.

Kesivick Codlin. Large, oblong, pale yellow, acid — tree
erect and vigorous, bears quite young and abundantly — excel-
lent for cooking ; middle July to November.

Summer Mose. Rather small, oblate, yellow with red

* Hermitage Nurseries, Richmond, Va.

ORCHARDS. 161

cheek, flesh very tender, crisp, mild, sub-acid, juicy, excel-
lent— continues in use for a month or more — fine for gardens ;
later than the Early Harvest ; July and August.

Summer Pippin. Medium to large, roundish, yellow green,
pink, streaked — irregular, but vigorous grower — productive ;
August.

Julian. — Medium size, yellow, much covered with crimson,
and striped with the same — juicy and high flavored — a South-
ern variety, promising well ; August and September.

Summer Queen. Large, conical, striped with red — flesh
yellowish, acid, with a very rich, high flavor — fine for culinary
purposes ; last of July and throughout August.

Primate. Medium size, greenish-white, with a crimson
blush on the exposed side ; flesh white, very tender, sprightly,
refreshing, mild sub-acid ; August and part September.

Bough, or Stveet Bough. Large, pale yellow, sweet, rich
flavor — tree, a moderate, compact grower, and abundant
bearer — very desirable; July and August.

Williams Favorite. This is a splendid apple, cultivated
in Southern Ohio. Large, oblong-ovate ; bright red in the
8un ; little pale, yellow in the shade — flesh yellowish, white,
fine, mild, pleasant, and excellent during all August and part
September.

G-olclcn Sweety or Sweeting. Large, medicinal; round,
pale yellow, stem an inch, rather slender, in a narrow, deep
cavity — flesh tender, of very sweet, rich, and excellent flavor ;
September ; a good grower and great bearer.

Large Yellow Bough. A large native apple, ripening in
harvest time ; one of the first quality — only second as a
dessert fruit to the Early Harvest — much admired for the
table — is worthy of a place in every collection.

Spice Sweet. Large, flat, smooth, pale yellow, very ten-
der, sweet, excellent ; September.

White Ju7ieating. Downing says, " this is a very tolera-
ble little apple, ripening about the veri/ earliest ; last of June
and first July ; deserves a place in every collection." Fruit
small, skin smooth, first light yellow, with faint blush on
sunny side — crisp and pleasant.
12

162 ORCHARDS.

Summer Sweet Paradise. Large, roundisli, pale green,
sometimes tinged with yellow in the sun ; flesh tender, crisp,
very juicy, with a sweet aromatic flavor; very good; August
and September.

AUTUMN A^ARIETIES.

Fall Pipphi. Very large, smooth skin, yellowish green,
sub-acid, flesh whitish, very tender, breaking juicy, rich, fine
for the table, superior for cooking, moderate in growth. In
the southern part of New York, it is the leading Fall apple.
This is supposed to be an American variety, Thompson and
Lindley to the contrary notwithstanding. The Fall Pippin
is a noble fruit, and is considered the first of Autumn apples
in Maryland and Virginia ; October to January.

Beauty of the West. (Ken.), fruit large, a sweet apple of
fair flavor, round and regular. Skin smooth, light greenish
yellow, with small red stripes. Flesh tender, juicy, sweet,
and pleasant. A Fall apple, but will keep until December.

Dominie. Medium size, medicinal, flat, greenish yellow, red
and russet streaks in the sun ; stem half an inch long, slender,
in a wide very deep cavity, calyx small, in a broad basin,
flesh white, very tender, juicy, of a sprightly flavor. In the
Valley and Western Virginia, it is a first class apple, keep-
ing until March.

Qatline. (Coxe, Thompson.) This is a native of Mary-
land, and ive insert Mr. Coxe's description. " It is a great
bearer, medium size, stalk short and thick, skin smooth, and
of a beautiful yellow, with clear and brilliant red towards the
sun, with numerous streaks and many dark spots scattered on
the surface ; flesh pale yellow, tender, rich, juicy and sweet, as
an eating apple in October ; November and December it is
particularly fine.

Gravenstein. Large, roundish, striped, of first quality,
tender, juicy and high flavored, vigorous, erect and produc-
tive, perfectly hardy, very vigorous. One of the handsomest
and best for all parts of the country. Early Winter apple
at the North.

Porter. Large, regular, oblong, tapering to the eye ; skin
bright yellow, sometimes a dull blush in the sun, flesh tender,

ORCHAEDS. 163

sub-acid, fine, fair and productive ; deserves general cultiva-
tion ; September and October.

Yelloiv Bellefleur. Very large^ long ovate conical, irregu-
lar ribbed, mostly towards the eye ; smooth, lemon yellow, gen-
erally a blush in the sun, stem long, slender, in a narrow deep
cavity, calyx closed in a narrow plaited basin, flesh tender,
juicy, of a rich, sprightly aromatic flavor ; latter part of
November to February ; good groAver, moderate and con-
stant bearer, one of the best in quality ; popular in all of the
Southwest and West, and in new lands of the North, and
strong soils of New York. It is particularly adapted to all
sandy and gravely soils. Originated in Burlington, N. J.

Baldiuin. Large, mostly colored with red, crisp and rich,
ranks among the very best ; tree upright, vigorous grower,
and abundant bearer ; keeps in the Valley and West Virginia
until February and March. This stands at the head of all
New England apples, and is suited to general and extended
cultivation. The flesh is yellowish white, crisp, with that
agreeable mingling of the saccharine acid which constitutes a
rich high flavor.

Rhode Island Greening. Large green ; a popular apple
and deserves general cultivation. Valuable for cooking, vig-
orous grower, flesh yellowish, fine, tender, crisp, juicy,
slightly acid and aromatic, rapid and stout groAver, great
bearer. One of the very best for main crops. It succeeds
well on light or sandy soils.

Rohinsons White Medium, crisp, juicy and delicate fla-
vor, a good bearer, highly esteemed ; November to January
in the Valley of Va.

Qogsivell, Synoyiyms. Ohio Nonpareil, Cogswell's Pearmain.
Above medium size, roundish, regular and uniform, a rich
yellow ground, with stripes, splashes and dots of red, stem
medium length, rather slender, cavity open, regular, often rus-
suted, calyx, medium or small, basin medium depth ; flesh yel-
lowish, crisp, juicy, sprightly, tender, aromatic, sub-acid. A
good bearer, always producing fair and even sized fruit. Tree
very hardy, suited to general cultivation ; November to March.

Ramho. (Coxe, Thomp.) The Kambo is one of the most

164 ORCHARDS.

popular fruits to be found for market and for general cultiva-
tion. It is a highly valuable apple for the table or kitchen
and thrives well on most soils, especially on those that are
light and sandy, it being a native of the banks of the Dela-
ware. Fruit, medium size, round, greenish yellow, striped
with red, tender, juicy and pleasant. Tree vigorous, erect,
and very productive ; and is one of the best late Fall or early
Winter apples for the Piedmont and Valley Districts of Vir-
ginia and West Virginia, and is largely cultivated throughout
the Western States.

Mighy Sweet. Synonyms, Trumbull Sweet, Fenton Sweet.
Fruity size medium or above ; form roundish, conical, flatten-
ed at the ends, often one side enlarged or slightly oblique,
color, pale yellow, with a faint tinge of red in the sun, and a
few small, obscure, suffused reddish dots; flesh white, very
tender, juicy, delicate, rich, sweet: season October to Decem-
ber. Originated in Trumbull county, Ohio.

Remarks. — This is comparatively a new variety, a very
hardy tree, productive, and one of the most delicate of all the
sweet apples. In the orchard, it makes a round, regular open
head, and if well cultivated and manured when it is needed,
it will bear annually and abundantly. It is especially suited
to table use — too tender for shipment.

Maiden 8 Blush. A remarkably beautiful apple, a native
of New Jersey, and first described by Coxe. It begins to
ripen about the last of August, and continues until the last of
October. It has all the beauty of color of the pretty little
Lady Apple, and is much cultivated and admired both for the
table and for cooking. It is also very highly esteemed for
drying. Fruit medium size, flat and quite smooth and fair ;
skin thin, clear lemon yellow, with a colored cheek, some-
times delicately tinged like a blush, and in others with a bril-
liant red ; flesh white, tender, sprightl}^, Avith a pleasant sub-
acid flavor. This variety forms a handsome, rapid growing
tree, with a fine spreading head, and bears large crops."

WINTER VARIETIES.

G-rimes' G-olden. (Grimes' Golden Pippin.) An apple of the
highest quality, nearly equal to the Albemarle Pippin, medium

ORCHARDS. 165

to large, yelloAV, tree liavdj, vigorous, very productive; orig-
inally from Virginia, grown in Southern Ohio, and through-
out the Southwest and West.

Buif Apple. A celebrated North Carolina apple, very
fine, large size, much cultivated in Buncombe Co., and other
parts of the State.

Cullasaga. A fine apple cultivated in Habersham Co., Ga,

and various other parts.

Carthouse or Romanite. (Gilpin, Coxe.) A handsome
cider fruit from Virginia, medium, round, striped, sub-acid
and agreeable ; tree an early and heavy bearer, very valuable
on account of its keeping qualities ; a very hardy, fruitful,
vigorous tree ; fruit juicy, rich ; late in Spring.

Wine Sap. (Already described) Popular everywhere, and
generally cultivated ; useful for all purposes ; every orchard
should have a large proportion.

Roxhurij Russet. Medium to large, surface rough, green-
ish, covered with russet, tree vigorous and great bearer, valu-
able for its long keeping : December to May. When fully
ripe, slightly acid and very pleasant, excellent for cooking.
A moderate grower and great bearer ; is adapted to moist,
strong, rich soil.

White Winter Pearmain. (Already described) Highly
esteemed at the West and South w^est.

. Pilot. Origin, Nelson Co., Va., very valuable new variety,
keeps well and late. (Already described.)

Pryor's Red. A native of Virginia ; large, flat, brownish
yellow, little russet, tinged with red ; flesh fine, rather tender,
sw^eetish, sub-acid, dryish, of a rich agreeable, ami peculiar fla-
vor. Elliott says well adapted to rich alluvial soils of the
West ; very salable in New Orleans ; December to February.

Rawles' Genet. Medium, round, greenish, streaked and
clouded with dull red. It is a regular and heavy bearer,
flesh compact, crisp, juicy and vinous, keeps well, succeeds
well in all portions of Virginia, and puts forth its leaves and
blossoms much later than other varieties

Hubhardston Nonesuch^ is, perhaps, the most beautiful
apple that grows, and in this instance, " outward beauty is an

166 ORCHARDS.

index of inward good," being a very early Winter apple, it
is suitable tor early market. Fine, large, roundish, oblong,
much narrower near the eye, skin smooth, striped with splashes
and irregular stripes of pale and bright red, which nearly
cover a yellowish ground; flesh yellow, juicy and tender, with
an agreeable mingling of sweetness and acidity in its flavor ;
October to January.

Northern Spy. Large, conical, flattened, striped and quite
covered on the sunny side with dark crimson, and deli-
cately covered with bloom ; both leaf and blossoms open from
one to two weeks later than most other sorts, which renders
it a valuable variety for frosty situations. Februar}^ to April.

Nickajack. An apple of Southern reputation, fruit large,
roundish, skin striped and splashed with crimson ; flesh yellow,
tender, crisp, juicy, with a fine, rich, sub-acid flavor; Novem-
ber to April.

Esopus Spitzenberg. Size medium to large ; form round-
ish, oblong conical, flesh yellow, a little tough until fully ripe,
when it becomes breaking, crisp, abounding in a very high
flavored aromatic juice ; forms an orchard tree of large size,
requires a strong soil; December to March.

Fallawater or Tidpelwcken. (Already described) This
magnificent and delicious apple is largely cultivated in the
West and SouthAvcst, and is a favorite in the Valley of Virginia.

King of Tompkin's County. Large, yellowish, shaded
with red, splashed with crimson, tender, with a rich, vinous
flavor ; a popular apple at the North, and does well in the
Valley of Virginia, West Virginia and Western States. This
superb red apple is of the largest size and finest quality, tree
a good grower and bearer, very hardy ; November to March.

Ladies Siveet. Large, roundish, green and red, nearly
quite red in the sun ; sweet, sprightly and perfumed, shoots
tender, but erect, a great bearer ; originated in Newburg,
New York. One of the best Winter sweet apples ; Novem-
ber to May.

Lady Apple, Pomme D'Api. A beautiful little dessert fruit ;
flat, pale yellow, with a brilliant red cheek ; flesh crisp, juicy and
pleasant. The tree forms a dense erect head, and bears large

ORCHARDS. 167

crops of fruit in clusters ; the fruit sells for the highest price
in New York, London and Paris ; November to May.

Ahram, or Father Ahram. A Southern variety, medium
striped with red, flesh rather firm with an agreeable aromatic
flavor; a grext bearer and keeps well until April or May.

Ben Davis, or Kentucky Red Streak. Large, handsome
striped apple of excellent quality, tree very hardy, vigorous
and productive ; a late keeper, highly esteemed in the West
and Southwest.

Swaar. Large, pale lemon yellow, with dark dots,
rich and spicy, slender grower and moderate bearer, but ex-
cellent quality, worthy of general culture ; December to
May. Flesh, yellowish, fine grained, tender, high aromatic
flavor, excellent.

Limbertwig. An old and well known Southern apple ;
medium size, dull red color, sub-acid, moderately vigorous
grower, bears heavily on strong soils ; rich, soft, pulpy, aro-
matic and excellent, late in the Spring ; fine keeper ; Febru-
ary to late in June.

Milam. (Already described). This is a splendid apple
in the Piedmont district of Virginia. Suitable for general
cultivation.

Winter Pearmain. (Coxe.) Green Winter Pearmain ;
Pearmain Herefordshire. (Thompson.) This delicious old
variety, generally known in Virginia as the Green Winter
Pearmain^ is one of the finest of all winter dessert fruits, and
its mild and agreeable flavor renders it here, as abroad, a
universal favorite, both as a dessert apple and for cooking.
Fruit of medium size, oblong and of a pretty regular Pear-
main shape ; skin stained, and mottled with a soft, brownish
red on a dull, russety green ground, dotted with gre3ash specks ;
flesh pale yellow, very mellow and tender, with a pleasant aro-
matic flavor ; produces large crops on light, rich soils as well
as on the limestone soils of the West.

Yellow Bellefleur. (Already described.) For general cul-
tivation ; early Winter.

Winter Sweet Paradise. This is a very productive and
excellent orchard fruit, always fair, and of fine appearance.

168 ^ ORCHARDS.

originated near Columbia, Pennsylvania. Fruit large, regu-
larly formed, roundish, skin fair and smooth, dull green when
picked, with a brownish blush, becoming a little paler at ma-
turity. Flesh white, fine grained, juicy, sweet, sprightly and
very good ; Nov. to April.

Monstrous Pippin, Giloria 3Iundi. (Coxe, Floy, Thomp.)
This magnificently large apple, says Downing, is a native
fruit, and we have frequently seen it weighing nearly a pound
and a half, and measuring 14 inches in circumference. It is
an excellent cooking apple, and, when in perfection, of a fair
quality for eating ; owing to its great weight it blows from the
tree. It would be best to grow it in protected situations.
Flesh white, tender, with a pleasant acid flavor ; October to
January.

Albemarle Pippin. The first commercial apple in America,
and generally raised for European markets. (This fruit has
already been described).

Peck's Pleasant. Large, roundish, angular; skin smooth,
green, becoming yellow, with a blush on the sunny side; re-
sembles the Nowtowm Pippin ; flesh yellowish, fine grained,
crisp and juicy, high flavored ; a valuable market variety ;
December to March.

Male Carle. " This is the most celebrated of all apples in
Italy and the South of Europe, whence it comes. It is raised
in great quantities about Genoa, and its great beauty and
delicacy of flavor render it quite an article of commerce in
Italian and Spanish seaports.'' All South of New York it
becomes beautiful and fine, but cannot be grown in New Eng-
land, " Fruit medium size, medicinal, common apple shape,
smooth, lemon color, crimson in the sun ; flesh white, not
juicy, of a delicate rose perfumed flavor." This apple is well
adapted to the Southern region of our country, and comes to
high perfection in the Valley of Virginia. In season from Oc-
tober to January.

Danver's Winter Sweet. Medium size, greenish yellow,
with often a brownish cheek, tender, rich and sweet. Tree
moderately vigorous and productive ; November to March.

Twenty-Ounce Apple, Cayuga Red Streak. A very large,

ORCHARDS. 169

showy apple, well known in Cayuga, county, N. Y. It is a very
good, sprightly fruit, not very highly flavored, but its remark-
ably handsome appearance and large size render it one of the
most popular fruits in market. The tree is thrifty, bears
regular crops and the fruit is always fair and handsome ; flesh
not very fine, juicy, sprightly, with a pleasant sub-acid flavor.

Chandler^ Chandler's Red. Large, roundish, pale yellow
ground, mostly red ; stalk short, in a wide cavity ; calyx small
in a wide basin ; flesh tender, juicy, rather rich, pleasant sub-
acid ; moderate grower and great bearer ; November to Feb-
ruary.

Butch 3fignonne. Large, roundish, dull orange and dull
red, large russet specks ; flesh rather tender, of a rich, high
aromatic flavor ; good grower and bears well. Delicious in
the middle region, including Virginia and Southwestern States,
but little known at the North ; November to March.

* Mason Pippin. Origin, Brunswick county, Va. A very
superior new variety, almost equal to the Albemarle Pippin.
(This splendid apple has already been described.) December
to April.

* Stoneivall. Origin, Lunenburg county, Va. Medium to
large, greenish yellow, streaked with red, flavor mild and
pleasant ; rather mealy ; a good keeper, and bearer and an
excellent new variety ; December to April.

* Red Everlasting. Origin, Charlotte county, Virginia ;
medium to small, beautiful crimson color; oblong, very juicy
and sweet. Raised by Thomas Baldwin, Esq.; January to
June.

* Hick's White. Origin, Loudoun county, Va. A beau-
tiful, conical-shaped white apple, with cheek slightly tinged
with red ; flesh pure white, mellow and rich ; one of the best.
This is an Autumn apple, extending into winter ; December.

* Atkins . Origin, Powhatan county, Va. Medium to
large ; round ; skin fine, red ; flesh pale yellow ; flavor sub-

NoTE. — Varieties marked thus '^ are new fruits, which, together with
other new kinds, are grown and for sale by the Virginia Nursery and
Wine Company, Richmond, Va., and at the Richmond Nurseries.

170 ORCHARDS.

acid and rich. This fine new apple is raised by Geo. B.
Atkins, Esq.; December to May.

Sweet Genet. Origin, Indiana. This new variety is one
from a lot of seedlings from Mawles' Grenef, which has the
late- blooming character of its parent in a high degree ;
being at least a week later in extending its blossoms, it always
escapes the spring frost, and the original tree has never failed
to produce a crop since it was large enough to bear. Tree
healthy, vigorous, spreading, productive, with fruit well dis-
tributed, shoots stout, foliage rich, green, abundant; fruit
large, fair, covered with red, flavor sweet ; season December
to March.

NEW VARIETIES.

"^Starke Apple. The Starke apple is a new variety now
attracting attention in the West. Mr. A. H. Gaston, of
Henry, Marshall county, Illinois, thinks it "the very best
apple in America." The Starke is described in the Horticul-
tural Annual for 1869, with a drawing.

"^The Sylvester Apple. At the State Fair held in Roches-
ter in 1868, we saw an apple which was remarkable for its
beauty, and when its originator. Dr. E Ware Sylvester, of
Lyons, N. Y., gave us a specimen to taste, we found that its
quality kept the promise made by its exterior. Again, this
year, we have been able to try other specimens of the variety,
and considering it as deserving a wider popularity than it now
enjoys, have had it engraved. The tree is said to be vigorous
and an abundant bearer. The skin is white and of a most
delicate waxy appearance, which is heightened by the beauti-
ful markings of crimson that are found upon the specimens,
which have been well exposed to the sun. The flesh is white
and very tender and juicy ; indeed, upon cutting, the juice
follows the knife as it does with a well-ripened pear ; flavor,
a pleasant sub-acid. Excellent for cooking. Sept. and Oct.
Dr. Sylvester should feel gratified at having his name at-
tached to so good a fruit. — American Agriculturist^ 1870,
Jan. No.

"^ Tyler s Rennet. This delightful apple was discovered in

ORCHARDS. 171

an old seedling orchard at Pleasant Valley, Albemarle co., Va.
Description. — Fruit, medium size, roundish, skin very ten-
der, yellowish white, sometimes a blush ; surface smooth,
flesh white, very tender, crisp, juicy, with a brisk, spicy aro-
matic flavor ; sweetish, slightly acid, very fine ; tree rather
large, irregular, great bearer; matuies early in August ; use,
eating or dessert and cooking.

OTHER NEW VARIETIES.

^Oliio Nonpareil^ (or Myers' Nonpareil. This is a noble
fruit ; its early history is involved iu some obscurity. In the
fourteenth report of the Ohio Pomolc^gical Society, 1868, the
following account is given : " Our fellow-member, S. B.
Marshall of Missillon, Ohio, obtained scions from Wm. Myers,
of New Lisbon, about 1840. since which time he has propaga-
ted, distributed and planted the trees, and exhibited the fruit
upon various occasions, and to him we are indebted for having
introduced this fine Autum or early Winter fruit to our no-
tice. From Mr. Myers he learned that a tree of this variety
had fruited for eighteen or twenty years in his orchard ; from
its excellence he had supposed it to be a grafted fruit, but as
the party from whom he had purchased the property had left
the country, he had never ascertained wdience the trees were
procured.

This fine apple has been in bearing for nearly twenty
years, and is now coming into fruit in many other places,
where it promises to sustain its high reputation.

Tree healthy, vigorous, robust, wide branching ; foliage large,
healthy ; fruit large, fair and handsome, globular, oblate,
regular, surface smooth, yellow, covered with mixed and min-
gled bright red, and stripes and plashes of deeper color, dots
minute ; flesh yellow, breaking, fine grained, juicy ; flavor
mild, sub-acid, rich, very agreeable, use, table, kitchen
and market, season October to December. Both fruit and
tree closely resemble the Cogswell, a Connecticut apple ; suit-
able for general cultivation. This valuable apple has already
been described.

Stark Apple. Tree vigorous and healthy, fruit globular,

172

ORCHARDS.

regular, large, surface smooth, yellow, covered generally, mix.
ed red, splashed, crimson, dots numerous, medium dark ;
flesh, 3'ellow, breaking juicy, flavor sub-acid, agreeable, quality
good, use, market and kitchen ; season December and all the
AYinter. (Description by Dr. Warder.)

The following is a partial list of apples recommended by
Prof. Saunders of the " Department of Agriculture," at a
meeting of the Potomac Fruit Growers Association" in July
1871, at Washington City.

Nickajack,

Abram,

Albemarle Pippin,

Winesap,

Cullasaga,

Limbertwig,

Milam,

Shockley,

Matamuskeet,
Hall's Early,
Golden Wilding,
Pry or' s Red,
Cannon Pearmain,
Smith's Cider,
Borum,
Brook's Pippin.

WOODMAN'S LIST FOR STANFORD KENTUCKY.

Summer.
Early Harvest,
Early Joe,
Carolina Red June.

APPLES.

Autumn.
Red Astrachan,
Fall Queen,
Yellow Bellefleur.

OTHER VARIETIES.

Winter.
Ben Davis,
Rawles' Genet.
Rome Beauty.
Limbertwig.

Monte Bello. (Description by Mr. Downing.) This
splendid new apple was raised from seed on the place of
Mathew Gray, at Riverside, in Monte Bello Township, Han-
cock Co., Illinois. It is there considered an apple of great
promise, the tree being hardy, moderately vigorous and
healthy ; an early and annual bearer, and the fruit always
fair and smooth; fruit above medium, oblate, regular ; skin,
pale yellow, shaded and mottled with light red, and splashed
and striped with dark rich red, nearly over the whole surface,
and sprinkled with a few light dots ; stalk very short, and
small, inserted in a broad cavity, russeted, calyx closed, or

ORCHARDS. 173

nearly so ; flesh very white, fine grained, a little stained next
to the skin, very tender, juicy, mild, sub-acid, vinous flavor,
qaality very good or best, core medium or small ; ripens from
September to December.

^Mote Sweet. Produced from the seeds of the Stillwater
Sweet. Origin, Ohio. " Tree vigorous, with a round, spread-
ing top, thus diff'ering from its parent ; foliage large, Avide,
finely serrate, and rather pale green ; fruit large and fair ;
globular, oblate, surface very smooth, greenish yellow, becom-
ing whitish yellow, rarely a light blush ; dots scattered, gray,
often becoming rosy spots ; flesh light yellow, very fine
grained, melting, juicy, flavor very sweet, pleasant ; season
September ; use table and kitchen ; quality best. This is one
of the most delicate, tender, sweet apples ever exhibited; is
a new variety; very highly recommended.

y^Oelestia. "From another seed of the Stilhu at er Siueet.
This is considered one of the most remarkable apples of the
country. Resembling the famous D^er in its general appear-
ance, texture, and peculiar flavor, it excels that sort in the
perfection of all these good qualities, and is especially prefer-
able in its much more attractive appearance, and more perfect
fruit. The original tree is thrifty, with an upright, spreading
head ; shoots, light redish brown ; foliage, medium, very
finely serrated, sharply accuminate." Fruit large to very
large ; fair, conical, globular, somewhat angular ; surface
smooth, pale yellow; dots scattered gray, with green bases;
tender, juicy, sub-acid; season, September.

^Poivers. This beautiful, showy and delicate table apple
was found in a village garden in the town of Perrysburg,
Ohio, and introduced to the Ohio Pomological Society by Mr.
George Powers. Fruit large to very h.rge, fair and hand-
some, globular-oblate, regular ; surface smooth, red, with dis-
tinct splashes of carmine on a delicate, waxy, yellow ground ;
flavor very mild sub-acid, pleasantly aromatic or spicy, agreea-
ble ; season, October, November ; use table; quality, excel-
lent."

SUMMER VARIETIES.

In addition to and among others named in this work, the

174 ORCHARDS.

following varieties are recommended by experienced fruit
growers, in the States of North and South Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama, Mississippi, &c., most of Northern apples failing in
keeping qualities. *

Berry. Large, green, with red stripes ; Winter.

BlacksJiear. Very large, white ; Winter.

Buckingham. Large, crimson ; Autumn.

Carter. Large, yellow ; Winter.

Chestattee. Large, yellow ; Winter.

Cullasaga. Ljfrge, red ; Winter.

Dalilonega. Large ; Autumn.

Disharoon. Large, yellow; Autumn.

Ducket. Winter.

Equinitely. Large, red, fine quality ; late Fall and Winter.

Hominy. Medium size^ red ; Summer ; identical with Sops
of Wine.

Julian. Medium size, yellow ; summer.

3Iaverick Sweet. Large, red, sweet ; Winter.

Mangum. Medium size; Autumn.

McCloucVs Family. Summer.

Nickajack. Very large, dull red ; Winter.

Red Wamir. Very large, red; Winter; very long keeper.

Red Fall Pippin. Large, dark red ; Autumn.

-fShocklcy. Medium size, yellow and red ; a long keeper

* Nearly all Winter apples commence to be in eating condition in the
latitude of Athens, Georgia, in October, and if carefully put a^vay, in a
cool, airy room, free from severe frost, much the larger can be kept
through the Winter, and some varieties keep well through the Spring.
Apples may be preserved at a temperature just above freezing for many
months without the least decay. At a temperature of .80° the best of
Winter apples in tight barrels, will spoil in a few days.

t This splendid new apple, ("so highly colored they look like pic-
tures") originated with Mr, Shockley, of Jackson county. North Caro-
lina. Its f)opularity is unbounded in that region. The editor of the
Carolina Farmer and Weekly Star says ' " We have no personal ac-
quaintance with the Shockley apple, but the specimens we have are yet
in perfect preservation this, 6th day of August, and are only a little
shrivelled, but of a color so intense that they look to be almost too arti-
ficial. Mr. AV. H. Thurmorid, whose reputation as a horticulturist makes
him first rate authority, tells us that he has known two Shockleys which
were preserved two years."

Any number of Shockleys can be had at the " Gate City Nursery,''^
whose advertisement' is standing in the Plantation^ a valuable journal
published at Atlanta, Georgia.

ORCHARDS. ' 175

and (Tvevit bearer ; one of the most valuable of Southern "Win-
ter apples.

Wall. Large, fine ; Winter.

Yopps Favorite. Large, fine quality ; Autumn.

North Carolina Red June. Not the Virginia long stem,
nor the striped June of some localities ; conical, crimson,
short stem, stands first among Southern early apples ; market
fruit.

Early Harvest. Perhaps the next best; fine for market.

Red Astrachan. Highly recommended ; all uses.

Early Sweet Bough, Red Margaret, Early Joe, Bucking-
ham, Large Summer Queen, Summer Rose, May Apple; all
fine.*

MISSOURI APPLES.

List of Apples adopted at the Ninth Annual Meeting of the
Missouri State Horticultural Society, January 1868, ayid
Recommended hy the Society.

^ Summer, for mai^ket. Early Harves;, Red June, Red As-
trachan, Sops of Wine.

For Family. Same, adding Benoni, Sweet June, Ameri-
can Summer, Pearmain, Early Strawberry, Summer Queen.

Fall, for 7narket. Maiden's Blush, Rambo, Hubbardston,
Nonesuch, Famuese, Ramsdell Sweet.

Early Winter. Wine, or Pennsylvania Red Streak, Smith's
Cider, Porter, Fall Queen, Prior's Red, Rome Beauty, Moore's
Sweet.

For family. Yellow Bellefleur, Peck's Pleasant, Rhode
Island Greening, American Golden Russet, Jonathan, New-
town Pippin, Spitzenburg, Wagener, Fallawater.

Late Winter, for market. Rawles' Genet, Newtown Pip-
pin, (on limestone soils,) Willow Twig, Wine Sap, Gilpin Ben
Davis, Ladies' Sweet, AYhite Winter Pearmain.

For Oider. Wine Sap, Gilpin, Rawles' Genet.

Advice. — We deem it not inappropriate, at this place,
again to warn farmers and those who intend going into fruit-

■^The last ten varieties are highly re.com mended for Middle North
Carolina, by Col. J. B. Zollicoffer, who is an experienced orchardist.

176 ORCHARDS.

culture, to look well to the selection of varieties. " On any
account do not cumber your land and waste your labor, and
deprive yourself of good fruit, as many have done, in plant-
ing a great number of miscellaneous varieties, with high-
sounding names that will neither give profit nor pleasure ; but
confine your planting to a few well knoiun kincls^ that have
established a reputation for their excellence in ifour vicinity
or section of country.''' You need not discard all Northern
or foreign kinds, as many of them do well in different sections
of the Souih and West, and may do well with you ; yet it is
much safer, in our judgment, to plant, as before said, kinds
that are known to succeed well in your section, and if for
market, the earliest should always be selected in the more
Southern districts, and for all places, a few of the very best
is better for profit, however large the orchard, than a con-
fused number of those that are uncertain or medium, as it re-
gards the requisites desirable in good, profitable fruit. In
these opinions Col. Zollicoffer, of North Carolina, concurs
with me.

ORCHARDS.

177

APPLE KEPORT.

Abstract of a Report of the Comparative Flavor, Thrifty Growth, Reg-
ular Bearing. Early Bearing, Hardiness, and Productiveness of Or-
chard in Hannibal County, and another in Cameron County, Missouri.
The first by 0. H. Lear, and the second by John C. McCarthy. Por-
tions of each selected and arranged as follows :

Table — Scale of Ten.

No. 10. the best. No. 7, medium, No. 1.
poorest.

SUMMER APPLES.

American Summer Pearmain

Benoni

Prince's Yellow Harvest

Sweet June

Red June

Summer Queen

AUTUMN APPLES.

Fall Wine

Fall Queen, or Turner's Queen

Porter

Rambo

Gravenstein

King of Tompkins County

Maiden's Blush

WINTER APPLES.

Ortley, or White Bellefleur, always in de

mand

Rawles' Genet, standard

Wine Sap, standard

White Winter Pearmain, very saleable

Yellow Bellefleur, fine, when you get it.

Smith's Cider

Fallawater

Ben Davis

Northern Spy

Pryor's Red

Baldwin

Dominie

13

W

9
10

9
10

9
10

8

8

4

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

6

10

10

9

5

10

a

10

8

' 9

10

9

5

5

10

10
10

5

7

7

8

5

7

7

10

10

3

2

5

10

P^

Ti >

8
8
5

10

10

5

10
10
10
10
2

10
10

10

178

ORCHARDS.

VARIETIES CULTIVATED AS DWARFS IN
MIDDLE REGIONS OF THE SOUTH.

THE

Buncombe,
Early Harvest.
Family, .
Nickajack,
Sweet Bough,

Carter's Blue,
Early Red Margaret,
Kettageska,
Red Astrachan,
Shockley,

Yopps Favorite, Transcendant,

Disharoon,
Equinetelee,
Man gum.
Red June,
Taunton,
Siberian Crabs.

TABLE OF DISTANCES AT WHICH TREES SHOULD

BE PLANTED.
Standard Apple Trees - - - 25 to 33 feet apart each way.
Dwarf " " - - - 8tol0 " "

Standard Pear Trees - - - 20 '' "

Dwarf " " - - - 6tol0 " "

Standard Cherry ... - 20 " "

Dwarf Cherry .... 10 " "

Peach, Plum and Apricot Trees, 12 to 20 *' "

Currants, Gooseberries, and Raspberries, 3 to 6 feet apart

each way.
Grape Vines 5 to 8 feet apart each way.

NUMBER OF TREES TO AN ACRE AT VARIOUS
DISTANCES.
3 feet apart each way 4,840

At

4

5

6

8

10

12

15

18

20

25

30

33

2,729

1,742

1,200

680

430

325

200

135

110

70

50

40

The number of, plants required for an acre, at any given
distance apart, may be ascertained by dividing the number of

ORCHARDS. 179

square feet in an acre, (43,560) by tlie number of square feet
given to each plant, which is obtained by multiplying the dis-
tance heU\een7'ows by the distance between the j:'/a«^s ov trees.
Thus strawberries planted three feet by one foot, give each
plant three square feet or 14,520 plants to the acre.

QUALITIES OF APPLES.

Qualities desirable in varieties of Apples for different

2ntr2yoses.

For a good and salable apple for market^ we would recoir-
mend a combination of the following requisites :

A thrifty grower, good bearer, fruit large, handsome and of
excellent quality : a red apple is the most salable. Some,
though not first rate, are profitable for the market as they sell
from their superior size and beauty, although the quality may
be only tolerable.

^ For the p)rivate garden or small orchard^ quality is of the
first importance ; yet appearance, growth and bearing are
also important considerations.

With the amateur, quality is the main thing, and appear-
ance next ; while growth and bearing are of less regard.

A dessert apple should be of good size, handsome, and of a
fine rich flavor.

Cooking apples should be rather large, fair, and of an
even surface, qualities various for diiferent purposes. The
cooking of apples destroys much of their acidity. Some
brisk acid apples, that are poor for the dessert, are excellent
for the kitchen. Some apples will not cook well, but retain
tbeir form and remain hard after this process. These should
be discarded. Some cook quickly and form a jelly, which is
desirable for some purposes, but not for others.

The best stveet apples for milk, are those tht:^t bake per-
fectly soft, yet retain their form. Those that fall to pieces
from their own weight in cooking and mix up with the milk
are not good.

180 ORCHARDS.

GATHERING, PRESERVING AND MANAGEMENT OF

APPLES.

The art of keeping or preserving fruit, is simply the pre-
vention of the chemical processes which produce their dis-
solution ; as life, whether animal or vegetable, prevents
putrefaction. Many fruits exist long after they are gathered
from the tree, before they become matured and ripe, and die
spontaneously, and, in consequence putrefy, as crabs, sloes,
pears, apples, &c. The art of preserving them consists in
storing them, where the heat is neither much above or below
48 degrees, which is the temperature of the interior parts of
the earth; that is in a dry cellar, or beneath the soil ; or well-
covered with straw leaves, or mats in a room. As greater
heat might make them ripen sooner than they are wanted, by
the increased activity of their vegetable life; and frost by
destroying that life, would subject them to putrefy, when they
become thawed; as often happens to apples and potatoes,
which are not well defended from frost — and lastly the moisture
would injure them in many respects ; first, by its contributing
to destroy their vegetable life ; secondly, in promoting the chem-
ical process of putrefaction ; and thirdly, by its encouraging
the growth of mucor or mould, which will grow in most situ-
ations without much light or air.

Great cold, on the contrary, destroys both animals and
vegetables by the torpor occasioned by the defect of stimulus,
and a consequent temporary death. Afterwards, if a great
degree of cold be continued, in some cases, the expansion of
their freezing juices may burst the vegetable vessels, and thus
render the life of them irrecoverable. It is affirmed by
Mons. Reaumeur, that if frozen apples be dipped in cold
water repeatedly, and the ice thus formed on their surface
wiped off, or if they be left in a large pailful 1 of very cold
water, so that they may not thaw too hastily, they will not
loose their flavor. It this be true, and the apples will keep
sound some time afterwards, it would seem that vegetable life
was not destroyed ; but that, like sleeping insects, they are
re-animated by the warmth ; otherwise, if the flavor be not de-

ORCHARDS. 181

stroyed and they could be immediately eaten, or used in cookery,
it is still a valuable discovery. It is at least a simple plan and
easily tested. A correspondeiit from Indiana says : "The apple
or potato that has been frozen, decays in consequence of sud-
den thawing, but if they are put, in a frozen state, into cold
water until the frost is expelled, and then are used, they will
be nearly if not quite as good as if they had not been frozen.
The same writer remarks, " that to keep apples from Au-
tumn to June, they should be placed in a shallow hole, dag
as if for potatoes ; the bottom is first covered with corn stalks
or straw, (leaves would be best) and then straw with dirt, five
or six inches more. No shelter is to be placed over them.
When the severe weather commences, and the ground, and
perhaps the apples, are thoroughly frozen, place straw over
the frozen heap, and cover the w^hole again with a coating of
earth'lO or 12 inches thick. The object of this is to keep
the first coating of earth frozen, until Spring, and then to
cause it to thaw very sloivly.'" Any vegetables may be pre-
served in this way, but we think it would sometimes be found
that apples treated in this manner would acquire a somewhat
unpleasant earthy flavor ; and, besides, they would immedi-
ately decay on exposure to the air.

APPLE CELLAR OR FRUITERY.

Where apples are to be preserved for domestic purposes, or
for the later markets, throughout the Winter, and in quantities,
a cellar expressly for this purpose should be dug ; unless the
farmer has a very dry one already prepared. This cellar
should be made on a hill if possible, or rising ground sloping
to the North, with openings or windows facing the North,
to admit the air in fine weather, and that should be attended
to. It should be dug in^dry, gravelly or sandy soil. It should
be walled with stone, brick, or wood, and of any convenient
depth to secure dryness, for that is the most important con-
sideration, save that of freezing. The height of the body of the
house may be 4 or 5 feet above ground and covered and planked
up similar to an ice house. The barrels should be placed
on tiers, on their sides, and the cellar kept as dark as possible.

■182 - ORCHARDS.

In such a cellar apple growers may safely and securely keep
any quantity of apples, in the best order, provided they are
put away at the proper time, and in good condition. The
expense of constructing such a house would be but trifling,
even less than that of an ice house ; unless it is built very
large, and at a place where materials are scarce.

All apples to be kept through the Winter, should be gath-
ered by hand, aided by the ''fruit picker," mentioned in an-
other part of this work. The ground immediately under the
trees should be covered with straw, or any soft litter, whilst
gathering, as the best fruit is apt to fall. The same should
be done when the apples are intended for cider, as bruised
apples will not keep or make good cider. The gathering of
the Winter fruit should be delayed as long as possible to
secure fine flavor, but it will keep longer and better, if gath-
ered before quite ripe ; but there is a diff'erence in this res-
pect in different varieties of apples. In the climate of Vir-
ginia, from the middle of October to the middle or even last
of November, on mountain sides, and high mountain valleys is
the proper time. After that time there is danger from frost or
freezing. Those who have a good, cool dry cellar had much
better put away their apples as gathered, if late in the season.
As a oreneral thin^: in the absence of a thermometer, when
the ice is made half an inch thick, the barrels should be re-
moved very carefully^ from the shed to the cellar or fruitery.
It is generally admitted "that the nearer the fruit is kept
to the freezing point the better. It will iiot generally
freeze unless the temperature is 5 to 7 degrees below 32, or
the freezing of water." Apples headed up will bear frost 10
or 12 degrees below the freezing point.

We would say farther in regard to gathering or picking
apples to keep, that, as a general rule, in order to secure
soundness and a good condition; Winter fruit should be
picked in dry^ cool weather^ the gathering delayed as long
as possible, avoiding severe frost. It should be handled with
care in order to prevent bruising, and should not be allowed
to lie in heaps exposed to the sun, or even stand in barrels ex-
posed to the sun, as such course is injurious to the life and
keeping quahties of the apples.

ORCHARDS. 183

Apples for distant or foreign markets should be placed in
new, tight flour barrels as soon as gathered from the tree —
the finer sorts may be wrapt in tissue paper. The barrels
should be gently shaken while filling, and the head gently
and closely pressed in ; lined and nailed with 3-penny nails.
(For further directions as to packing, see Mr. D. H.
London's valuable communication. These barrels are then
placed in a cool shady exposure, under a shed open
to the air, or on the north side of a building, protected by
a covering of boards. It is usual for them to remain here
for a vieok or two, or until there is danger of freezing, when
they are carefully removed to the cellar or fruitery.

Note. — In some large, airy, packing houses, at the foot of the Blue
Ridge in Virginia, the barrels are placed on tiers on their sides, as they
are filled from the heaps or orchards. The temperature during cold
spells is regulated by the thermometer, stoves being used so as to secure
a temperature not exceeding 32 degrees. In this way, the fruit is always
ready for shipping, and is taken from the houses in cold weather to Rail
Roads for immediate transportation.

"instructions for gathering, barreling,

SHIPPING, &c.

The following very important, valuable and practicable
directions for gathering, barreling, and shipping apples, are
from a New York Commission Merchant, (No. 63, Broadway)
formerly a resident of Richmond, Va. A part of the busi-
ness of his house is to ship "large quantities of fruit to
England and European countries.

No. 63 Broadway, New York, Sept. 1, 1870.

As the season is near in which your fruit growers must
gather and prepare their pippins and ladies' apples for mar-
ket, and deeming the matter of so much importance, I beg
leave to bring to their attention the following instructions
"^vhich I have gained by several seasons of experience in the
sale and handling of Albemarle Pippins and Ladies' apples.

Fh'st — Gather the pippins before they are fully ripe, by
picking the fruit and carefully handling it and leaving it in
an open house till it sweats and dries off. On Southern ex-

184 ORCHARDS.

posures the pippin is usually ripe enough 1st October, on the
Northern exposures by the middle of October ; but the soil
yaries their ripening, and the grower must judge of the con-
dition of the apples by their appearance.

Second — A new barrel only ought to be used, and after
taking out the bottom, not tJw head — tack the lower middle
hoop on each side of the bulge of the barrel with three-penny
nails, (no larger size nails) clinch inside so that the inside of
the barrel is perfectly smooth ; put the head of the barrel to
the floor. Carefully select the perfect apples, wipe each one
and place them with the stems dow^n, seeing that the apples
are uniform in size and appearance ; when by placing with the
hand the apples layer after layer till the barrel is a little
more than full, gently press in the bottom head and headline,
across the heading, using the three-penny nails, and then tack
the top hoop with not over 5 to 6 three-penny nails, turn up
the head and do the same. Mark the owner s initials and num-
ber of barrel, say No. 1 and up, so that when the fruit reaches
me it can be known. I have had much trouble from this
omission.

Third — Ship to the care of the Old Dominion S. S. Co.,
Richmond, with instructions to the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railroad Company, or whatever line may carry the fruit to
Richmond, to forward to me the blil of lading. Ship in
round lots of 100 barrels or more, as large uniform lots sell
at better prices than small and irregular lots.

Fourth — Do not ship to this market any defective fruit,
nor any mixed fruit, and upon no account put large, fine fruit
on the head and poor small fruit in the middle of the barrels ;
one such barrel will defeat the sale of a thousand barrels. In
plain words, be certain that you pack your fruit honestly.

Fifth — handle the ladies' apples quite as carefully as you
do the pippins, observing this fact that it is the small sized
Red Ladies' apples, which bring the highest prices; with the
pippin it is the large clear-skinned fruit, which command the
best price.

Sixth — Wine-saps, if very carefully handled and the fruit
be of the same size, will generally sell at from §4 to $6 in

ORCHARDS. 185

small quantities, whilst the pippins have brought from $6 to
$9, and some as high as $16. Ladies' apples from ^10 to $30.
Mj wish has been to get the shipment of most of the Albe-
iTiarle pippins and Ladies' apples which are sent here, for I
well know the advantage to the owners which will result by
havincr one known house to control this fruit — it is known to
me that the quality and flavor is highly valued throughout
Great Britain, the chief drawback being the order in which
it is shipped, and this has been seriously injured by indiffer-
ent and unprincipled parties getting hold of small quantities
of Virginia pippins and sending them to Liverpool in bad
order. Sincerely and honestly wishing to see this large and
growing interest faithfully guarded here, 1 have written this
letter for your Virginia fruit growers, and feel quite certain
that if the instructions are carefully followed, the shippers to
this market will not regret it ; the Ladies' apple is now grown
in your section better than it is in any other section, and I
know of no fruit equal to a really No. 1 Albemarle pippin.
With consideration and esteem,

I am, very respectfully,

Dan'l H. London.

Note. — Although the above advice is intended for a particular section
of the country, yet its value, in most respects, will be appreciated in all
apple regions.

HOW TO CUT AND PRESERVE SCIONS.

As every farmer should be able to graft and bud his trees,
it is of importance to select, judiciously, the scions for this
purpose, and to know how to preserve them when selected.
It is best to select and cut the well ripened and thrifty
shoots — those that grow about the middle of the tree from
upright vigorous limbs. The growth of some valuable
trees is so limited that the growth of one year is too short,
and in that case a little of the wood of the preceding year's
growth is taken with the graft.

Scions may be cut at any time from the falling of the
leaves to the swelling of the buds. We think it best, how-
ever, to cut them before very cold weather sets in, as they

186 ORCHARDS.

may be injured during very cold winters. Some nurserymen
prefer to cut only a few weeks before setting and just before
the swelling of the buds, as they say the scion will in that
case more readily absorb moisture from the stock, which pro-
motes the union. Scions may be cut in October and Novem-
ber, and kept in a perfect state for one year. When scions
are cut in the fall or winter, the best mode of saving them is
to bury them from four to six inches deep in a light soil,
where the water Avill not stand on them. Sandy yellow soil
is best, or sand alone. The situation should be covered or
shsded, and they should be kept moist, but not wet. Saw-
dust will keep them very well, and as it is easily obtained
will be found very convenient. "Where there are many scions
and they will not be needed through the winter, they may be
placed in a box, which is to be only half or two-thirds full ;
cross pieces are fastened upon the inside in such a manner as
to prevent the scions from falling out Avhen inverted. The
box is then buried, upside down, in a place where Avater will
not comj in contact with the scions. In putting away grafts
we cannot be too careful to prevent their losing their iden-
tity. Tie securely in bundles, and with each tie up a stick
marked in such a manner as not to be obliterated. Some
take the precaution to cut away a portion of one or two of
the larger scions, in order to obtain flat surface on wliich nu-
merals are cut with a knife. A permanent record is of
course kept of the varieties indicated by these numbers.

When boor-moss can be found, it is an excellent material
with which to pack the scions in a box.

When scions are cut in the Winter or Spring, or even in
the Fall, they may be packed in a tight box or chest, first
putting in some damp moss or saw dust. It does not matter
how many are packed together, the more scions the better
they keep. Mould will not injure them. As the weather
becomes warm, moisten the saw dust or moss and the inside of
the box occasionally. Keep the top on tightly, and place
them in a damp, cool cellar. Too much moisture would be in-
jurious, as it induces premature starting of the buds or kills
the scions by saturation. Saw dust, a little moist, is consid-

ORCHARDS. 187

ered about one of the best materials for tlie preservation of
scions ; they should be closely imbedded in it, and, when
taken out, they will be found plump and in fine order. Scions
that are intended for immediate use may be cut at the time of
setting, but care should be taken that they do not shrivel —
they should not be exposed to the sun or air, or the warmth
of the hands; put them in as soon as possible after cutting.

If scions should become frozen, let them thaw closely cov-
ered, and in a dark cellar.

RABBITS, MEADOW MICE, AND OTHER BARK
EATERS.

The mischief done by these depredators is generally irre-
parable. A friend of ours, last Winter, lost the larger portion
of a fine orchaixl of the famous Pilot and Albemarle Pippin
apples, set the previous Spring. They were literally skinned
by the rabbits from the ground to the height of twelve or
fifteen inches.

To prevent such girdling and barking of young trees there
are various simple remedies :

1st. In Europe soot and milk applied as a paint to the stems
as far up as the animals can reach. It should be done at the
approach of Winter, on a dry day.

2. Coal tar, made at gas works, is an infallible remedy. It
may be had at a few cents per gallon. As Winter sets in,
apply a coat of this with a brush (painter's brush is best), laid
on the lower part of the trunk from the ground to the height
of one and a half or two feet. This will do no injury to the
bark, while it completely, for that season, prevents the attacks
of rabbits, mice, and all bark devourers. In England the
gardeners use this composition as a protection of any small
shrubs and trees liable to be girdled. If the rains do not take
ofi" this and similar coats by the Spring, soap-suds, applied
with a coarse rag, will effect the purpose, and otherwise ben-
efit the trees.

3. Trees may be saved by tying around them laths, shin-
gles, old barrel staves, narrow boards, strips of paste-board,
stifi" paper, old cloth, &c.

188 ORCHARDS.

4. Offensive substances, such as tobacco stems or rubbish,
sulphur, assafoetida, hen or pigeon clung, mixed with mud or
clay, and applied.

5. Beef or hog liver, vrhen fresh, rubbed on the stems as
high as the rabbits can reach. Fat beef or tallow may be
used. The liver is best.

6. Dr. McCannel, of Ohio (in the American Agriculturist)^
finds that a mixture of assafcetida and soft soap painted on
the bark of young trees will effectually preserve them from
the attacks of rabbits and meadoAV mice. He does not give
the proportions, or the form in which the assafoetida is used.

LABELS FOR FRUIT TREES.

No orchardist should trust to his memory, but should
promptly label his trees, distinctly and durably. It is per-
plexing and vexatious to lose marks^ and, to nurserymen,
would occasion serious losses, and place them in awkward pre-
dicaments with their patrons and customers.

1. Zinc is a good material when written on with a compo-
sition of two parts fine verdigris, two sal-ammoniac, one lamp-
black, twenty water. Mix in a mortar, with a little water at
first — shake and bottle for use. It will appear very legibly,
and is quite durable; or with types — small pica or long primer
will answer — with a lever, stamp the name or number on the
zinc.

2. "Wood painted with white lead; use soft, smooth, thin
pieces. If not painted, moisten the wood, and write with a
good strong pencil, with a heavy hand.

3. Old ox^'dized or rusted zinc will receive and retain the
mark of a common lead pencil.

4. On old tin or new, or sheet lead, write with a sharp awl
or steel instrument, cutting through the coat of tin; use sheet
lead the same way, or stamp the name or number with type
and lever.

5. Wood 2^f'inted is the "best for nurserymen. Let the pieces
be smoothly prepared and thinly painted with white lead. Use
a lever for a press ; it is more distinct and expeditious than

ORCHARDS. 189

writing. Four or five of the letters of each name are enough,
and numbers are quickly printed.

6. Labels made of strips of old tea chest lead, old tin, zinc, or
sheet lead, cut wide at one end for marking, the other drawn to
a point and bent round a limb. The point may be run through
a hole in the label and clinched.

7. For the use of the farmer, old tin, &c., may be used, and
the letters or figures made with a sharp pointed awl or punch,
by shaping them with little dots or holes. This is very simple
and durable. Fastenings — Stout twine will last a year. Nos.
20 to 23 anjiealed copper wire is far the most durable and
best fastening; but see it does not cut the limb.

"A tree label that will not require too much trouble to
make it, and that will remain legible for a series of years, has
long been a desideratum among fruit-growers. It may be
that this is supplied by the simple zinc label written with a
common black-lead pencil. Several gentlemen inform us that
they have had labels of this kind remain legible for ten or
more years, and that though the writing makes but little show
when recently done, in time it becomes more distinct. We
suppose that the surface of the zinc just under the writing is
protected by the black-lead or plumbago of the pencil, and
that while the rest of the surface is oxidized by the action of
the weather this remains intact ; or it may be that the carbon —
the best black-lead is nearly pure carbon — unites in some way
with the zinc. The only objection we see to these labels is
the ease with which they may be effaced when the writing is
fresh, but a few weeks' exposure fixes it. The zinc is cut in
the form of an elongated triangle, the point of which, when
wrapped around a twig, will hold the label, and at the same
time expand as the tree increases in size. Mr. 0. D. Case
sends us a specimen of the labels he has found to be most ser-
viceable. He uses a tag of zinc, upon which he marks a
number, and then with an awl punches holes through the zinc,
following the outline of the number, as in the figure; the
roughness raised b}^ the punching is filed off. A number of
this kind has the advantage that it can be buried in the ground
with cuttings and scions without risk of being obliterated, but

190

ORCHARDS.

it of course requires that a record of the numbers and the
names thev represent should be carefully kept." — American
Agricultuinst.

INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE APPLE TREE AND
ITS FRUIT.

The apple trees of Virginia, and the South generally, as
far as the author's knowledge extends, are not infested with
insects to any serious extent; but the same cannot be said of
the fruit, although, comparatively speaking, our losses in this
regard are but small when compared with those of the North.
There, and to some extent throughout the West, they have
vast armies of insect enemies to contend with, which at the
present day make successful fruit growing, in those parts, a
more difficult and scientific pursuit than here.

If the farmers in this country knew more of entomology,
or were better acquainted with the nature and habits of insects
[hugs as some tenn them) that are injurious to vegetation, it
would be the means of saving many thousands of dollars to
productive industry, and much to themselves individually;
for most persons can form no idea of the extent of damage
done to orchards by these little depredators.

We think we cannot give a better or more recent account
of these destructive insects than can be found in the " Re-
port" of the Missouri State Entomologist for the year
1868-69, as they are in perfect accordance with our own
views on this subject and should be widely disseminated
throughout all the fruit growing regions of our country :

ORCHARDS. 191

Apple Borers. — " The apple-tree borer was entirely un-
known until Thomas Say described it in the year 1824 ; and, ac-
cording to Dr. Fitch, it was not till the year following that its
destructive character became known in the vicinity of Albany,
N. Y., for the first time. Yet It is a native American insect,
and has for ages inhabited our indigenous crabs, from which
trees my friend, Mr. A. Boiler, took numerous specimens in
the vicinity of Chicago, ten years ago. It also attacks the
Quince, Mountain Ash, Hawthorn, Pear, and Juneberry. Few
persons are aware to what an alarming extent this insect is
infesting the orchards in St. Louis, Jefferson, and adjacent
counties, and for aught I know, throughout the State. A tree
becomes unhealthy, and eventually dwindles and dies, without
the owner having the least suspicion of the true cause — the gnaw-
ing worm within. Even in the orchard of the most worthy Pres-
ident of our State Horticultural Society, I found one or more
large worms at the base of almost every tree that I examined,
notwithstanding he had been of the opinion that there was not
a borer of this kind on his place.

"At the above figure this borer is represented inits three stages
of larva (a), pupa (b), and perfect beetle (c). The beetle may
be known by the popular name of the Two-striped Saperda,
while its larva is best known by the name of the Round-headed
apple tree borer, in contra-distinction to the Flat-headed
species, which will be presently treated of.

" The average length of the larva, when full grown, is
about one inch, and the width of the first segment is not quite
one fourth of an inch. Its color is light yellow, with a tawny
yellow spot of a more horny consistency on the first segment,
which, under a lens, is found to be formed of a mass of light
brown spots. The head is chestnut brown, polished and horny,
and the jaws are deep black. The pupa is of rather lighter
color than the larva, and has transverse rows of minute teeth
on the back, and a few at the extremity of the body ; and the
perfect beetle has two longitudinal white stripes between three
of a light cinnamon brown color. The Two-striped Saperda
makes its appearance in the beetle state during the months of
May and June, and is seldom seen by any but the entomologist —

192 ORCHARDS.

who makes a point of hunting for it — from the fact that it re-
mains quietly hidden by day and flies and moves only by
night The female deposits her eggs during the month of
June, and mostly at the foot of the tree, and the young worms
hatch and commence boring into the bark within a fortnight
afterwards. These young worms differ in no essential from
the full grown specimens, except in their very minute size;
and they invariably live for the first year of their lives on the
sap-wood and inner bark, excavating shallow, flat cavities
which are found stuff"ed full of their sawdust-like castings.
The hole by which the newly hatched worm penetrated is so
very minute that it frequently fills up, though not till a few
grains of castings have fallen from it; but the presence of the
worms may be generally detected, especially in young trees,
from the bark under which they lie becoming darkened, and
sufficiently dry and dead to contract and form cracks. Through
these cracks some of the castings of the worm generally pro-
trude and fall to the ground in a little heap, and this occurs
more especially in the Spring of the year, with the rising sap and
frequent rains, such castings becoming swollen and augmented
in bulk. Some authors have supposed that the worm makes
these holes to push out its own excrement, and tl^at it is forced
to do this to make room for itself; but, though it may some-
times gnaw a hole for this purpose, such an instance has never
come to my knowledge, and that it is necessary to the life of
the worm is simply a delusion, for there are hundreds of bo-
ring insects which never have recourse to such a procedure, and
this one is frequently found below the ground, where it can
not possibly thus get rid of its castings. It is currently sup-
posed that this borer penetrates into the heart of the wood of
the tree after the first year of its existence, whereas the Flat-
headed species is supposed to remain for the most part under
the bark ; but I find that on these points no rules can be given,
for the Flat-headed species also frequently penetrates into the
solid heart wood, while the species under consideration is fre-
quently found in a full grown state just under the inner bark,
or in the sap-wood. The usual course of its life, however,
runs as follows :

ORCHARDS. 193

"As Winter approaches, the young borer descends as near
the ground as its burrow will allow, and doubtless remains in-
active till the following Spring. On approach of the second
Winter it is about one half grown, and still living on the sap-
wood; and it is at this time that these borers do the most
damage, for where there are four or five in a single tree they
almost completely girdle it. In the course of the next Sum-
mer, when it has become about three-fourths grown, it gener-
ally commences to cut a cylindrical passage upward into the
solid wood, and before having finished its larval growth, it in-
variably extends this passage right to the bark, sometimes
cutting entirely through a tree to the opposite side from which
it commenced; sometimes turning back at different angles. It
then stuffs the upper end of the passage with sawdust-like
powder, and the lower part with curly fibres of wood, after
which it rests from its labors. It thus finishes its gnawning
w^ork during the commencement of the third Winter, but re-
mains motionless in the larval state till the following Spring,
when it casts off its skin once more and becomes a pupa.
After resting three weeks in the pupa state it becomes a
beetle, with all its members and parts at first soft and weak.
These gradually harden, and in a fortnight more it cuts its
way through its sawdust-like castings, and issues from the tree
through a perfectly smooth, round hole. Thus it is in the
tree a few" days less than three years, and not nearly two
years as Dr. Fitch suggests. I have come to this conclusion
from having frequently found, during the past Summer,
worms of three distinct sizes in the same orchard, and Mr.
D. B. Weir, of Lacon, Illinois, had previously published the
fact,* while a correspondent to the Country Grentleman, of
Albany, N. Y.,t who says he has large experience with this
borer, sent to the editors specimens of all three sizes, which
he calls Hhis year's, two and three old worms.' The individ-
ual from which I drew my figures, and which was taken from
a crab apple tree, went into the pupa state on the 14th day

* Prairie Farmer, Chicago, April 20, 1867.
t Country Gentleman, September 12tli, 1867.

14

194 ORCHARDS.

of March, and became a beetle on the 15th of April : but was
doubtless forced into rapid development by being kept through-
out the Winter in a warm room.

* 'Remedies. — From this brief sketch of our Round-headed
borer, it becomes apparent that plugging the hole to keep him
in, is in a par with locking the stable door to keep the horse
in after he is stolen; even supposing there were any philos-
ophy in the plugging system, which there is not. The round,
smooth holes are an infallible indication that the borer has
left, while the plugging up of any other holes or cracks where
the castings are seen, will not affect the intruder. This insect
probably had some natural enemies belonging to its own great
class, and some of our wood-peckers seek it out from its re-
treat and devour it ; but its enemies are certainly not suffi-
ciently under our control, and to grow healthy apple trees, we
have to fight it artificially. Here, again, prevention will be
be found better than cure, and a stitch in time will not only
save nine, but fully ninety-nine.

^' Experiments have amply proved that alkaline washes are
repulsive to this insect, and that the female beetle will not lay
her eggs on trees protected by such washes. Keep the base
of every tree in the orchard free from weeds and trash, and
apply soap to them during the month of May, and they will
not likely be troubled with borers." (This is repulsive to
almost all insects, and greatly benefits the tree in other re-
spects.) "For this purpose soft soap or common bar soap can
be used. The last is, perhaps, the most convenient, and the
newer and softer it is the better. This borer confines himself
almost entirely to the butt of the tree, though very rarely it
may be found in the crotch. It is therefore only necessary,
in soaping, to rub over the lower part of the trunk and the
crotch; but it is a very good plan to lay a chunk of the soap
in the principal crotch, so that it may be washed down by the
rains. In case these precautions have been unheeded, and
the borer is already at work, many of them may be killed by
cutting through the bark at the upper end of their burrows,
and gradually pouring hot water into the cuts so that it will
soak through the' castings and penetrate to the insect. But

ORCHARDS. 195

even where the soap preventive is used in the month of May
it is always advisable to examine the trees in the Fall, at
which time the young worms that hatched through the Sum-
mer may be generally detected, and easily cut out without in-
jury to the tree. Particular attention should also be paid to
any tree that has been injured or sun-scalded, as such trees
are most liable to be attacked. Mr, Wier who has had con-
siderable experience with this insect, thus describes his method
of doing this work, in the article already alluded to :

"I will suppose I have a young orchard of any number of
trees, say a thousand, the second season after planting, about
the last of July or during the first half of August, with a
common hoe, I take all the weeds and other trash, and about
an inch of soil, from the crown of the trees ; then, any time
from the first to the middle of September, with a pocket-
knife, examine carefully the stem of each tree ; the borer can
readily be found by the refuse thrown out of the hole made
on entering — this refuse of a borer, of the same season's
growth, will be about the size of a pea, and being of a glutin-
ous nature, sticks around the mouth of the hole, and can
readily be seen ; older ones throw out coarser chips that fall
to the ground. (As already shown, these chips are not thrown
out by the borer, but are forced out by the swelling.) When
he is found, take the knife and cut him out. If an orchard
is carefully examined in this way each year, there need be but
very few, if any, borers missed ; and, as they are more easily
found the second Fall of their growth, and can have done but
little damage up to that time, we could never receive any
serious injury from them. Now, it is no great task to do
this; a man will clear the litter and soil from around a thou-
sand trees in a day, and take the borers out in another day.
I will agree to do both jobs carefully in one day's time. A
great undertaking, is it not ?"

He also has observed that some varieties of the apple tree
have a greater immunity from the attacks of this borer than
have others ; on account of the young larva, when it is first
hatched, being drowned out by the sap, but he does not men-
tion any particular varieties other than those that are the
"more vigorous and late growing."

196

ORCHARDS.

THE FLAT-HEADED APPLE TREE BORER.

Chrysobothris femorata, Fabr.
[Coleoptera, Buprestidse.]

[Fig. 15.] [Fig. 16.]

This borer, which is repre-
sented in the larva state at
figure 15, may at once be re-
cognized by its anterior end
being enormously enlarged and
flattened. It is paler than the
preceding, and makes an en-
tirely different burrow. In consequence of
its immensely broad and flattened head, it bores a hole of an
oval shape and twice as wide as high. It never acquires much
more than half the size of the other species, and is almost
always found with its tail curled completely round towards
the head. It lives but one year in the tree and produces the
beetle, represented at figure 16, which is of a greenish black
color, with brassy lines and spots above, the under side ap-
pearing like burnished copper. This beetle flies by day in-
stead of by night, and may often be found on different trees
basking in the sunshine. It attacks not only the apple, but
the soft maple, oak and j^each, and is said to attack a variety
of other forest trees ; though, since the larva of the family
(BuPRESTiD^) to which it belongs all bear a striking resem-
blance to each other, it is possible that this particular species
has been accused of more than it deserves.

It is, however, but far too common in the Valley of the
Mississippi, and along the Iron Mountain and Pacific rail-
road it is even more common than the preceding species. Mr.
G. Pauls, of Eureka, informs me that it has killed fifty trees
for him, and Mr. Cataw, and many others in that neighbor-
hood have suffered from it in like manner.

" Remedies. — Dr. Fieth found that this borer was attacked
by the larva of some parasitic fly, belonging probably to the
Chalcis family, but it is greatly to be feared that this parasite
is as yet unknown in the West. At all events, this flat-headed
fellow is far more common with us than with our Eastern

ORCHARDS,

19T

brethren. As this beetle makes its appearance during the
months of May and June, and as the eggs deposited on the
trunk of the tree, as with the preceding species, the same
method of cutting them out or scalding them can be applied
in the oiie case as in the other; while as the soap preventive
is found to be ecjually eifectual with this species as with the
other. It must, however, be applied more generally over the
tree, as they attack all parts of the tru7ik, and even the larger
limbs.

THE CODLING MOTH OR APPLE WORM.

( Corpocapsa pomonella — Linn.)

"The apple worm I find to be quite common all over the
State, as it is in almost all parts of the civilized world where
apples are grown. Dr. Trimble has devoted page after page
to the consideration of this little pest, and yet its whole
history, and the means of preventing its insidious work, may
be given in a very few lines. It was originally a denisen of
the Old World, but was introduced into this country about the
beginning of the present century. The following figure rep-
resents it in all its states, and gives, at a glance, its natural
history: a represents a section of an apple which has been
attacked by the Avorm, showing the burrowings and channel

of exit to the left : 5, the
point at which the young
worm entered; e, full
grown worm ; A, its head
and first segment magni-
fied ; 2, the cocoon which
it spins; c?, the chrysalis
to which it changes; /,
the moth which escapes
from the chrysalis, as it
appears when at rest ; g^
the same with wings ex-
panded. The worm when
young is whitish, with

198 ORCHARDS.

usually an entirely black head, and a black shield on the
top of the first segment. When full grown it acquires
a flesh-colored or pinkish tint, especially on the back; and
the head and top of the first segment become more brown,
being usually marked as at figure 24, h. It is sparsely cov-
ered with very minute hairs which take their rise from minute
elevated points, of which there are eight on each segment.
The cocoon is invariably of a pure white on the inside, but is
disguised on the outside by being covered with minute frag-
ments of whatever substance the worm spins to. The chrys-
alis is yellowish brown, with rows of minute teeth on its back,
by the aid of which it is enabled to partly push itself out of
its cocoon, when its time to issue as a moth arrives. The moth
is a most beautiful object; yet, as has been well remarked by
an anonymous writer,* from its habits not being known, it is
seldom seen in this state, and the apple grower, as a rule,
* knows no more than the man in the moon to what cause he
is indebted for the basketfuls of worm-eaten windfalls in the
stillest weather.' Its fore wings are marked with alternate,
irregular, transverse, wavy streaks of ash-gray and brown,
and have on the inner hind angle a large tawny brown spot,
with streaks of bright bronze color or gold.

The apple is, so to speak, our democratic fruit, and while
stone fruit is grown but in certain regions, this is cultivated
all over the country. The Codling moth is, then, even more
injurious than the Curculio. Unlike the Curculio, it is mostly
two-brooded, the second brood of worms hybernating in the
larval state, enclosed in their snug little silken houses, and
ensconced under some fragment of bark or other shelter. The
same temperature which causes our apple trees to burst their
beauteous blossoms, releases the Codling moth from its pupal
tomb, and though its wings are at first damp with the imprint
of the great stereotyping establishment of the Almighty,
they soon dry and expand under the genial Spring-day sun,
and enable each to seek its companion. The moths soon pair,
and the female flits from blossom to blossom, deftly depositing

■'^ Entomological Magazine, London, Vol. I, p. 1, 144.

ORCHARDS. 199

in the calyx of each a tiny yellow egg. As the fruit matures,
the worm develops. In thirty-three days, under favorab.le
circumstances, it has become full-fed; when, leaving the apple,
it spins up in some crevice, changes to a chrysalis in three
days, and issues two weeks afterwards as a moth, ready to
deposit again, though not alwa^^s in the favorite calyx this
time, as I have found the young worm frequently entering
from the side of the apple. Thus the young brood of Codling
moths appear at the same time as the young curculios, the
difference being that instead of living on in the Fall and
Winter, as do the latter, they deposit their eggs and die, it
being the progeny from these eggs which continues the race
the ensuing year. Though two apples, side by side, may, the
one be maturing a Curculio, the other a Codling moth, the larva
of the latter can always be distinguished from the former by
having six horny legs near the head, eight fleshy legs in the
middle of the body, and two at the caudal extremity, while
the curculio larva has not the first trace of either.

In latitude 38° the moths make their appearance about the
first of May, and the first worms begin to leave the apples
from the 5th to the 10th of June, and become moths again
by the fore part of July. While some of the first worms are
leaving the apples, others are but just hatched from later de-
posited eggs, and thus the two broods run into each other ;
but the second brood of worms (the progeny of the moths
which hatched out after the first of July) invariably passes
the Winter in the worm or larval state, either within the ap-
ple after it is plucked, or within the cocoon. I have had
them spin up as early as the latter part of August, and at
different dates subsequently till the middle of November, and
in every instance, whether they spun up early or late in the
year, they remained in the larval state until the middle of
April, when they all changed to chrysalides within a few days
of each other. Furthermore, they not only remain in the
larval state, but in many instances where I have had them in
a warm room, they have been active throughout the Winter,
and would always fasten up cuts made in their cocoons, even
when the operation was performed five and six times on the

200 ORCHARDS.

same individual. These active worms perfect themselves in
the Spring as well as those which had not been disturbed;
and this fact would indicate that the torpid or dormant state,
so called, is not essential to the well being or the prolongation
of the life of some insects.

Though the Codling moth prefers the apple to the pear,
it nevertheless breeds freely in the latter fruit, and I have
myself raised the moth from the pear-boring larva, and the
fact was recorded many years ago by the German entomolo-
gist, Kollar. It also inhabits the fruit of the crab-apple and
quince, and is not even confined to pip fruit, for Dr. T. C.
Hilyard, of St. Louis, bred a specimen, now in my cabinet,
from the sweetish pulp of a species of screw-bean which
grows in pods," and which was obtained from the Rocky
Mountains, while Mr. Wm. Saunders, of London, Ontario,
Canada, has also found it attacking the plum in his vicinity.*
This is entirely a new trait in the history of our Codling
moth, and is another evidence of the manner in which certain
individuals of a species may branch off from the old beaten
track of their ancestors. This change of food sometimes
produces a change in the insects themselves, and it would not
be at all surprising if this plum-feeding sect of the codling
moth should in time show variations from the normal pip-fruit
feeding type. As Mr. Saunders is a well known entomolo-
gist, it is not likely that he has been mistaken in the identifi-
cation of the species, for the only other worm of this charac-
ter which is well known to attack the plum in America, is
the larva of Mr. Walsh's plum moth (semasia prunivora),
which is a very much smaller insect than the Codling moth.
Mr. Saunders says that his plum crop suftered considerably
from this cause, and that the operation appeared to be per-
formed by the second brood, the plums falling much later
than those stung by the curculio— remaining, in fact, on the
tree till nearly ripe. I do not think that this insect has yet
acquired an appetite for the plum in the States. As a gene-

* Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Arts, of the Pro-
vince of Ontario, for the year 1868.

ORCHARDS. 201

ral rule, there is but one worm in each apple, but two are
sometimes found in one and the same fruit.

Remedies. — Though with some varieties of the apple the
fruit remains on the tree till after the worm has left it, yet
by far the greater portion of the infested fruit falls prema-
turely with the worm to the ground; hence much can be
done towards diminishing the numbers of this little pest by
picking up and destroying the fallen fruit as soon as it
touches the ground. For this purpose hogs will again be
found quite valuable, when circumstances will allow of their
being turned into the orchard. Abundant testimony might
be given to prove this, but I make room only for the follow-
ing from Mr. Suel Foster, of Muscatine, Iowa, whom I know
to be abundantly capable of forming a proper judgment:

"I have twenty-four acres of my orchards seeded to clover,
and last year I turned the hogs in. I now observe that
where the hogs ran last year the apples have not one-fourth
the worms that they have on other trees. I this year turned
the hogs into my oldest (home) orchard.*

"Mr. Huron Burt, o^ Williamsburg, Mr. F. R. Allen, of
Allenton, and Mr. Carnum, of Sulphur Springs, have also,
each of them, testified to me as to the good effects obtained
from allowing hogs to run on their orchards.

"There is, however, a more infallible remedy, and one
which is always practicable. It is that of entrapping the
worms. This can be done by hanging an old cloth in the
crotches of the tree, or by what is known as Dr. Trimble's
hay-band system, which consists of twisting a hay-band twice
or thrice around the trunk of the tree. To make this sys-
tem perfectly effectual, I lay down the following rules :

"1.9^. The hay-hand should he placed aroimd the tree hy
the first of June {in Missouri), and kept on till every apple
is off the tree; 2d. It should he pushed up or down, and the
worms and chrysalides crushed that are under it, every tveek,
or at the very latest, every two tueeJcs; Sd. The trunk of the
tree should he kept free from old rough hark, so as to give the
worms no other places of shelter ; and 4:th, the ground itself

* Transactions IlHnois State Horticultural Society, 1867, page 213.

202 ORCHARDS.

should he kept dean from weeds and ruhhish.'" (By follow-
ing this advice the benefits of mulching must be lost. It
were better, however, to lose this advantage than to have
much premature and wrong fruit.)

"But as already stated on a previous page, many of the
worms of the second brood still remain in the apples even
after they are gathered for market. These wormy apples
are barreled up with the sound ones and stored away in the
cellar or in the barn — from them the worms continue to issue,
and they generally find plenty of convenient corners about the
barrels in which to form their cocoons. HundrC'Sof these
cocoons may sometimes be found around a single barrel, and
it therefore becomes obvious that, no matter how thoroughly
the hay-band had been carried during the Summer, there
would yet remain a sufficiency in such situations to abun-
dantly continue the species another year. And when we
consider that every female moth which escapes in the Spring
lays from two to three hundred eggs, and thus spoils so many
apples, the practical importance of thoroughly examining, in
the spring of the year, all barrels or other vessels in which
apples have been stored becomes apparent. It should, there-
fore, also be made a rule to destroy all the cocoons which are
to be found on such barrels or vessels either by burning them
up or by immersing them in scalding-hot water.

"Now there is nothing in these rules but can be performed
at little trouble and no expense. Their execution must hence-
forth be considered a part of apple-growing. Let every apple-
grower in Missouri (and throughout the country) carry them
out strictly, and see that his neighbors do likewise, and fine,
smooth, unblemished fruit will be your reward.

"The philosophy of the hay-band system is simply that
the worms, in quitting the fruit, whether while it is on the
tree or on the ground, in their search for a cozy nook, in
which to spin up, find the shelter given by the hay-band just,
the thing, and in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred they will
accept the lure, if no other more enticing be in the way. I
have thoroughly tested this remedy the past Summer, and have
found it far more effectual than I had anticipated wherever

ORCHARDS. 203

the above rules were recognized. Under two hay-bands
which were kept around a single old isolated tree through
the months, of June, July and August, I found every week of
the two last months an average of fifty cocoons.

"I have often smiled in my journeyings through the State
to see the grin of incredulity spread over the face of some
unsophisticated farmer as I recounted the natural history of
this codling moth, and urged the application of the hay-band.
Magic spell or fairy tale could not more thoroughly have
astounded some of them than the unmasking of this tiny
enemy and the revealing of the proper remedy.

"The burning of fires has been recommended, under the
supposition that the moths will fly into them and get de-
stroyed. I have no faith whatever in the process, so far as
it regards this particular species; for though it is true that
the moths fly and deposit their eggs in the evening, I do not
believe they are attracted to the light as are some others, for
I have never been able thus to attract any myself."

WEIR'S CODLING MOTH TRAP.

The more modern and better remedy is "Weir's Trap,"
made of three narrow boards or old shingles, movable on a
centre screw, and fastened to the trunk of the tree. The
American Pomological Association, during its session at
Richmond in 1871, appointed a committee composed of three
members — Charles Downing, Mark Miller and P. T. Quinn.
The committee reported tbat on examination Weirs Codling
Moth Trap was found efficient in trapping this most destruc-
tive insect.

CLIMBING CUT WORMS.

Orchardists in Spring frequently find the hearts of their
fruit buds — on young trees especially — entirely eaten out and
destroyed, and this circumstance is attributed to various
causes, winged insects, beetles or slugs, or even to late frosts,
unsuitable climate, etc. Never have cut-worms received the
blame, all of which should be ascribed to them, for tbe game
hold of many on a sandy soil in early Spring is the fruit-tree,

204 ORCHARDS.

and especially the dwarf apple or pear. This is a very im-
portant fact to fruit-raisers, whose orchards or gardens are
infested by these stealth}^, naked caterpillars, who do all their
mis^^hief under cover of night, which accounts for their never
having been noticed in their work of destruction in former
years. After having performed their nightly work, they de-
scend and take quarters just under the surface of the ground
near the foot of the tree. They seldom descend the tree as
they ascend it, by crawling, and it is quite interesting to
watch one at early morn when it has become full fed, and the
tender skin seemed ready to burst from repletion, and see it
prepare by a certain twist of the body for the fall. This fact
also accounts for trees on hard, tenacious soil being compara-
tively exempt from them, as their instinct doubtless serves
them a good turn either in preventing them from ascending
or by leading the parent moth to deposit her eggs by prefer-
ence on a light soil.

Mr. J. AV. Cochran, of Calumet, Illinois, says:
"They destroy low-branched fruit trees of all kinds, except
the peach, feeding on the fruit buds first, the wood buds as a
second choice, and preferring them to all other things, tender
grape buds and shoots (to which they are also partial) not
excepted — the miller always preferring to lay her eggs near
the hill or mound over the roots of the trees in the orchard;
and if, as is many times the case, the trees have a spring-
dressing of lime or ashes Avith the view of preventing the
May beetles' operations, this Avill be selected with unerring
instinct by the miller, thus giving her larva a fine warm bed
to cover themselves up in during the day from the observa-
tions of their enemies. They will leave potatoes, peas and
all other young green things for the buds of the apple and
pear. The long naked young trees of the orchard are almost
exempt from their voracious attacks, but I have found them
about midnight, of a dark and damp night, well up in the
limbs of these."

Mr. John Townley, of Marquet county. Miss., in the
Practical Entomologist, sa}s: "On a warm dewy night,
about the middle of May, I took a lamp and, going into the

ORCHARDS. 205

orchard, suddenly jarred several of the trees, when some of
these worms- came tumblino; to the o;round. The 'evidence
against them would have been more conclusive, if I had
searched the branches and found them tliere and at work. That,
however, I omitted to do. I have had fruit trees planted
here sixteen years, bu: never had the buds destroyed so as
to attract my attention before the last two years. (When
these cut worms have free and full pasture of herbaceous
plants, it is believed they will not trouble themselves to mount
the fruit trees, but in the absence of such food the buds of
trees are appropriated with avidity.) The habit of the dwarf
apple and pear, however, just suits their nature, and much of
the complaint of those people who cannot make trees thrive
on a sandy soil, has its source and foundation here, though
apparently utterly unknown to the orchardist."

Remedy. — "There is no known remedy; salt has no pro-
perties repulsive to them — they burrow in it equally as quick
as in lime or ashes. Tobacco, soap and other diluted washes
do not even provoke them ; but a tin tube six inches in length,
opened on one side and closed around the base of the tree,
fitting close and entering at the lower end an inch into the
earth, is what the lawyers would term an effectual estoppel
to farther proceedings."

There is no complaint of this pest in Virginia, or, at least,
in the hilly or mountainous regions of the State. If it ex-
ists, to any extent, in the more level or sandy portions of the
Atlantic States, we have not heard of it.

THE BARK LICE OF THE APPLE TREE.

(Homoptera Coccid^e.)

There are two spe-
cies of bark lice that
attack the apple tree
in the United States,
which I will briefly
describe.

The first, which is
a native North American insect, is now known as Harris'

206 ORCHARDS.

bark louse {Aspidiotus Rarrisii, Walsh). The color of the
scale is dirty white, and its form is irregular, being usually
egg-shaped ; but however variable its outline, it is always
quite flat, and causes the infested tiees to wear the appear-
ance of figure 1, while the minute eggs which are found un-
der it in Winter time are invariably blood-red or lake-red.
This species has scarcely ever been known to increase suffi-
ciently to do material damage, for the reason doubtless that
there have, hitherto, always been natural enemies and para-
sites enough to keep it in due bounds.

The second species, which is known as the oyster-shell
bark louse (Aspidiotus conchiformis, Gmelin), is by no means
harmless, however, for it is one of the most pernicious and
destructive insects which the apple-grower in the Northern
States has to contend with. This species presents the appear-
ance of figure 2, and may always be distinguished from the
former, by having a very uniform muscle-shaped scale of an
ash-gray color (the identical color of the bark), and by these
scales containing, in the Winter time, not red, but pure w^hite
eggs.

"There is scarcely an apple orchard in North Illinois, in
Iowa, or in Wisconsin, that has not suffered more or less from
its attacks, and many a one has been slowly bled to death by
this tiny sap-sucker. It was introduced into the Eastern

,«gv^r?cg^^^^gBsc^5:g^igas:>;cag^Mrr-r> iL|inii-| States morc than twcn-

JJ7, ^ iL_ rope, and had already

^i^^i^si^^^^^*^^^^^^-^''^^-^^'^""^ reached as far west as

Wisconsin in 1840 from the districts bordering on ' Lake
Michigan. It occurs at the present time in Minnesota and
Iowa, but whether or not it extends westward beyond the
Missouri river, there are no data to show.

"Remedies. — Small trees can be easily managed, as the
terminal twigs can be reached and rubbed with strong soap
water or syringed with the same. But alkaline washes will
have little effect unless applied about the time the eggs are
hatching, and the young lice are cowling over the limbs,
which happens during the last of May or early in June.

ORCHARDS. 207

With regard to washes, one pound of sal soda to one gallon of
water will have a very good effect. Another remedy is to
mix one part of soft soap with four parts of water and a lit-
tle fresh slacked lime Another — a solution of one pound of
potash to two gallons of water, applied when the lice hegin to
crawl about the branches. A lye of wood ashes is also re-
commended for the same. purpose."

We have never seen apple trees much injured by these in-
sects, nor have we ever heard of their depredations to any
extent in the South.

THE CANKER WORM.

{Anisoptej'ia pometaria, of Harris.)

In some parts of the country, especially at the North and
on the seacoast, this insect is very destructive to the apple
tree by destroying the blossoms and foliage, and even the very
young and tender fruit. They are seldom troublesome in the
Piedmont region of Virginia or in the corresponding portions
of Maryland and North Carolina. They may be seen, how-
ever, on the isolated limbs of some trees, the leaves of which
are completely riddled and devoured by them, and, when so
employed they may be easily destroyed by cutting off the
twigs. The Dutch Elm, however, in our latitude suffers
greatly by this depredator. They completely desolate the
trees and render them as naked as at midwinter — not one
tree or branch escapes them — and during the hottest part of
the Summer these handsome trees are entirely useless as shade
trees. A second crop of leaves, however, begin to appear
about the 1st of September, and become about half grown
before the early frost takes them. This second crop of leaves
is not molested, it being too late for the operations of this
insect.

The Canker worm usually rises out of the ground very early
in the Spring, chiefly in March, as soon as the ground is free
from frost. The females having no wings, climb slowly up
the trunks of the trees, while the winged males hover about

208 ORCHARDS.

to pair with them. Very soon after this, if we examine the
tre3S, we shall see the eggs, of which every female lays some
sixty or a hundred, glued over, closely arranged in rows and
placed in the forks and branches and among the young twigs.
About the 20th of May and up to the 1st of June, these eggs
are hatched and the canker worms, dusky brown, or ash-
colored, with a yellow stripe, make their appearance and com-
mence preying upon the foliage. "When they are abundant
they make rapid progress, and in places where the colony is
firmly established, they will sometimes strip an orchard in a
few days, making it appear as if a fire had passed over it.
After feeding about four weeks, they descend into the ground
three or four inches, where they remain in a chrysalis state to
emerge again the next season. As the female is not provided
with wings they do not spread very rapidly from one place to
another ; but when their food becomes scarce they travel in
all directions, and to a considerable distance, frequently en-
tering houses, as in case of the elm worms, making themselves
very troublesome and pestilent.

Remedies. — The common mode of protecting apple trees
is to surround the trunk with a belt or bandage of canvass
three or four inches wide nhich is then thickly smeared with
tar. A little train oil is sometimes mixed with it to prevent
it from becoming hard. The better plan to protect the trees
from crawling insects of this nature is to provide each tree
with a smooth piece of tin three or four inches wide, as has
been recommended in the case of some other insects. These
tin belts should fit well around the trunk and extend into the
ground some two inches, if that is practicable, if not, the
space between the lower end of tin and the tree should be
kept perfectly tight with clay or lime and sand mortar. It is
believed that trees thus treated will be securely protected from
the ravages of this as well as other climbing insects. There
are various other remedies for this destructive worm, but the
above is deemed sufficient. Young trees, with smooth bark,
if well soaped once or twice in Spring and Fall, are well pro-
tected from all insects that crawl up the trunk of trees.

ORCHARDS. 209

AMERICAN TENT CATERPILLAR.

(Clisiocampa Americana.)

This well known insect is so common that a description of
it is unnecessary. It is simply called the caterpillar of the
orchards. Its habits and mode of operation are so well known
that no descriptive account is worth a place here. Although
a great pestilence in an apple orchard, they are more easily
managed than any other insects injurious to the apple tree or
its fruit. If, however, they are suffered to increase unmo-
lested they become a formidable enemy.

Remedies. — Various simple modes have been found suffi-
cient for the destruction of these greedy traveling fellows.
On small trees they may be stripped off with the hand and
crushed with the foot. For large trees, use a pole with a
sponge attached to the end dipped in spirits of ammonia
or kerosene, or use a pole with a brush or cloth attached
to the end, and work it about in the nests, or twist them out
with the end of the pole. They are always at home up to
9 o'clock, and should be operated upon previous to that time.

FRUIT DRYING HOUSE.

The business of drying fruit for market is a very profitable
one, and we wonder that so few people engage in it. It is
also very desirable to provide a full supply for family use.
With the improved apple-peelers and parers and peach-peelers,
and a drying-house well arranged, it is light, nice work for
the members of the family who cannot and are not expected
to engage in out-door farm work — such can be employed to
great advantage in truit time, having the above mentioned
facilities furnished them.

Description of a Drying House used in the Valley of
Virginia. — " The Dry house at Detrick's is of brick, one
brick thick, on a stone foundation a foot high. The brick
part is four feet ten inches high, seven feet one inch square
from out to out, w^ith a door in one side two feet three inches
wide, and as high as the house will admit. In each end there
15

210 ORCHARDS.

are three rows of frames, with two openings each, large enough
to admit drawers two feet nine inches wide and three inches
deep, making six drawers at each end. These drawers are
made with slats in the bottom an inch Avide and one sixteenth
of an inch apart. On the inside of the house there are three
pieces of laths three inches wide by one inch thick, built into
the wall on each end as far as the door will admit, so as to
support the inner end of the drawers ; they are just opposite
the lower edge of the frames that hold the drawers; there are
also strips that run from the frames to the laths to hold the
drawer and guide it as it runs in. Each drawer has two knobs
to draw it out with. The top frame that holds the drawer is
two rows of brick from the top and there is one row of brick
between the frames. On the top of the brick work is a frame
and tight floor, and on the floor is built a brick chimney for
stove-pipe. Over all is a good shingle roof put on as other
houses (where slate is convenient it would be better), and the
gables weatherboarded up. It has a good stove in the centre
of the house."

The above is a description of Mr. Detrick's house ; but it
is probably better that the dry house be made of timber, and
made larger, where there is much fruit. It has been found
that the brick ones are rather damper thar^ the wood, and do
not dry fruit quite so well. Besides being larger, there should
be more space between the drawers, so that the hot air can
have free access.

From what we know of dry houses we think the following
simple and cheap house would be as good as the best :

Take four posts 4 or 6 inches square, and plank them to-
gether as if you were making a goods box, using dry inch
plank and making the joints tight. We would make it 12
feet by 10, and six feet high in front, and five behind — cover
it tight by laying the plank close, and break the joints with
narrow plank on top. Then bore holes in the sides of the
house and put poles across to hold the dryers, which may be
those commonly used to dry in the sun, making three or four
tier of poles on each side of the stove. The door should be
made in the high side and made tight. A house of this de-

. ORCHARDS. 211

scription will cost but little, and any coarse carpenter can
make it.

FRUIT LADDERS,

The farmer can generally have ladders very suitable for
fruit orathering made at home, and unless he has facilities for
purchasing from the manufacturer or his agents he had better
do so.

They are generally made of white or yellow pine, sound and
well seasoned. They are sometimes made of hickory, in
which case, in consequence of the stiffness and strength of the
timber the side pieces may be comparatively small, and the
ladders made very portable. The proper size of the timbers
or scantlings used for this purpose varies according to the
strength of the material used and the different lengths re-
quired. For a 10 or 12 feet ladder, made of pine or poplar,
3 or 3Jx2 inches would be about right; 6 or 8 feet ladders
less in proportion, and longer ones would require more strength.
The proper distance of the rounds from each other should be
eighteen inches; they should be made of well seasoned wood,
tightly fitted into one inch holes, and no sharp edges should
be left on any of the parts, as they would cut or bruise the
tender bark of the branches of the trees. Folding ladders
are very portable and convenient.

Fruit ladders may be obtained at the agricultural ware-
houses of H. M. Smith k Co., Allison & Addison, and at
other establishments in Richmond, Va., and at various other
places. Also, good apple peelers, and parers and peelerSy
and peach peelers.

FRUIT PICKERS.

This useful implement may also be obtained at the agricul-
tural establishment of H. M. Smith & Co., Richmond, and
doubtless at other places in the South, as well as at the North.
The author has no experience in the use of this labor-saving
invention, but an eminent nurseryman and orchardist informs
him that it is astonishing with what ease and rapidity fruits
may be gathered when the operator has the advantage of a

212 ORCHARDS.

little practice. Every fruit grower should provide himself
with t>ne or more of these implements.

MANUFACTURE OF CIDER.

Cider^ or Cyder, a sharp, cool, vinous beverage made by
fermenting the juice of apples. Some connoisseurs in this
liquor are of opinion, that the juice of the more delicate table
fruit is generally more cordial and pleasant than that of the
more harsh kinds; though others assert the latter to be in
many respects preferable. In Virginia, very fine cider is
made late in the Fall, with common seedling apples of various
qualities, from those most sour and harsh, to those that are
sweet and tender. Goo 1 cider is also made during the Sum-
mer from early seedling varieties. The best keeping cider,
and that of the very best quality, is manufactured at the ap-
proach of Winter from varieties recommended in this work
for that purpose.

There have been numerous receipts published to make cider,
some of which have occasioned considerable losses. A few
general, and important rules will be given, for insuring good
cider, and afterwards some particular directions founded on
experience.

1st. The first and indispensable requisite for making good
cider, is to choose perfectly ripe and sound fruit, carefully
picked and free from trash, leaves and twigs. Farmers, in
general, are very inattentive to these points, but it is utterly
impossible to make good cider unless they are attended to.

2d. The apples ought to be hand-picked, or there should he
a mulching of straw or soft litter placed under the trees when
they are shaken. When they fall on the ground they become
bruised, and, as frequently happens, that they remain some
time before pressing, the apples are apt to communicate a bad
taste to the liquor from the bruised parts.

3d After having sweated, and before being ground, the
apples should be wiped, in order to remove a clammy mois-
ture which covers them, and which, if permitted to remain,
would impoverish the cider. This is a little tedious, but it
will pay well.

ORCHARDS. 213

4th. The practice of pressing the pomace in hair cloths is
certainly much preferable to the common mode in this coun-
try of enclosing it in bands of straw, or lining the press crib
with it; because the straw, when heated in the mow or stack,
gives the cider a bad taste. The improved cider mills and
presses of the present day, however, do not require straw, but
the pomace is thrown into the crib, the slats of which are
placed so close as not to allow the pomace to escape with the
cider.

5th. After cider has run from the press it should be strained
through hair or fine wire selves into a large open vat or hogs-
head, which will contain a whole making, or as much as can
be pressed in one day. When cider has remained in this vat
or hogshead a day, or sometimes more or less, according to
the ripeness of the fruit of which it has been made, and the
state of the weather, the pomace or grosser parts of the pulp,
will rise to the top, and in a few hours, or after a day or two
at farthest, will grow very thick, and when little white bab-
bles break through it, draw it off through a faucet hole within
three inches of the bottom, that the lees may quietly remain
behind. This operation is of great impor'tance, as the sink-
ing of the feculent matter would greatly injure the liquor.

6th. On drawing off the cider from the vat, it must be put
into clean casks and closely watched, to prevent the ferment-
ation; when, therefore, white bubbles, as mentioned above,
are perceived at the bung-hole, rack it again ; immediately
after which it will probably not ferment until March, when
it must be racked off as before — if possible, in clear weather.

7th. It is of great consequence to prevent the escape of
the carbonic acid, or fixed air, from cider, as on this principle
all its briskness depends. To effect this, various expedients
have been contrived. In the State of Connecticut, where
much cider is made, it is a common practice to pour a tumbler
of olive oil in the bung hole of every cask. Upon the same
principle we have lately heard of a man who boasted that he
had drunk brisk beer out of the same cask for five years ; and
that his secret was to cover the surface of the liquor with
olive oil. Cider should be racked as seldom as possible, for

214 ORCHARDS.

a portion of its fixed air and briskness is lost in the opera-
tion.

To prevent a succeeding fermentation, put in a handful of
powdered clay, and to preserve it, add one quart of apple
brandy to each barrel ; every cask must be filled up and
closely bunged.

8th. When care has been taken to prevent the precipitation
of the feculent matter which rises in the cider, good liquor
will generally fine without artificial means, but sometimes it
is necessary to fine after the first racking. This may be done
effectually in the following way: For a barrel, cut one ounce
of isinglass fine, put it into a pint of water, stir it frequently,
and make a thick jelly. Dilute this with cider, strain and
mix it well with the liquor in the cask, by means of a long,
clean stick.

The best apples for cider are those that in growing were
exposed to the sun and air, and young orchards generally
produce the best cider. The Harrison, and some other fine
cider apples make about one barrel to every ten bushels of
sound apples.

In all the operations of cider making, strict cleanliness and
neatness should be observed, and no water should be used
under any circumstances. The first and last running of the
cheese is not so good as the middle. When pressed out, put in
a cool, d7y cellar before the vinous fermentation takes place —
keep the barrels well filled up with the same liquor, reserved
for that purpose, so that the froth and groser parts may work
off". Then keep it as closely bunged as it will bear, without
danger of bursting the cask, until it is necessary to rack off".
If the casks are in a cool, airy cellar, the fermentation will
cease in a day or two, and this state may be known by the
liquor becoming clear and bright; by the cessation of the
discharge of fixed air; and by the thick crust which has col-
lected on the surface. When that is the case no bunging is
necessary until after it is racked off*, which must be done when-
ever the cider is in the situation just described, to prevent the
fermentation going too far. It may now be bunged up tight
and allowed to stand until Spring; but first, to keep down

* ORCHARDS. 215

any farther fermentation, put in about a gill of finely pow-
dered charcoal to every barrel.

If, upon examination, a scum collects on the surface, and
the fermentation seems inclined to proceed further, it must
be immediately racked again. The vent spile may now be
driven in tight; but examined occasionally. About the 1st
of March a final racking should take place, and the dissolved
isinglass, as has already been recommended, should be put in
each cask, which will render it perfectly clear. It may be
bottled now, or any time before the blossoming of the apple,
or afterwards, even late in May.

When bottling,' fill the bottles within an inch of the bottom
of the cork, and allow^ the bottles to stand an hour before the
corks are driven in. They should then be sealed, and kept
in a cool, dry cellar, with clean, dry sand up to their necks,
or laid on their sides in boxes with sand between each layer.

A friend directs the cider to be bottled in July; to fill the
bottles within two inches of the top, letting them stand twelve
hours open before corking. Use strong porter bottles, and
the best velvet corks. The bottling should always be done
in clear weather.

Cider is a cooling, pleasant, and wholesome liquor during
the heat of Summer, and at any time, if it has been prepared
without foreign ingredients, and properly fermented. On the
contrary, when it is too new, or tart, or has, perhaps, been
kept in leaden vessels, it cannot be recommended as a salu-
brious beverage; because that poisonous metal is easily dis-
solved by acid. Good cider is the wine of America.*

The domestic manufacture of cider is worse managed than
any in our country ; perhaps the better way to correct errors
is to point out some of the principal ones, and then to recom-
mend better plans — and we are continuing this subject with
these objects in view.

Apples are commonly collected when wet^ and thrown in
a heap, exposed to the sun and rain, until a sourness pervades

*Dr. H. Teter, an eminent physician, of Ohio, remarks: " Cider made of ripe apples,
properly fermented, and racked or purified, is of all fermented liquors the most inno-
cent and the best." But too little pains is taken with cider. It may be made, by care
and proper management, as fine flavored and as clear as wine.

216 ORCHARDS.

the wLole mass, then ground, and for want of a trough or
other vessels sufficient to hold a cheese at a time, the pomace
is put in the press as fast as ground; and a laro;e cheese is
made, which requires so much time to finish and press off,
that a fermentation commences before all the juice is out; and
certain it is, that a small quantity of the juice pressed out
after fermentation comes on, will spoil the product of a whole
cheese, if mixed therewith. When either of the above errors
will spoil cider, we need not wonder at the effect of a combi-
nation of the whole, as frequently happens.

An experienced cider maker of New Jersey says: "As I
have often exported cider to the West Indies, and to Europe,
and also sold it to others for the same purpose, without even
hearing of any spoiling; and as it is my wish to make the
productions of our country as useful as possible, I will give
an account of my method of making this valuable liquor.

" I gather the apples when dry, put them on a floor under
cover, and have a trou^jh larsje enouorh to hold a cheese at
once, and when the weather is warm, grind them late in the
evening^ spreading the pomace over the trough to air it, as the
cider will thereby be much improved and enriched, and a fine
amber color in it produced; and here it may be remarked,
that the longer a cheese lies after being ground^ before press-
ing, the better for the cider, jyvovided it escapes fermentation,
until the pressing is completed. The following experiment
will render this evident. . . . Bruise a tart apple on one side,
and let it lie until brown; then taste the juice of each part,
and it will be found, that the juice of the bruised part is
sweet and rich ; so if sweet and tart apples are ground to-
gether, and put immediately on the press, the liquor which
they produce will have the taste of both kinds of fruit; but if
permitted to lie until the pomace becomes broiun, the cider
will be greatly improved.

*' I take care to put cider in clean, sweet casks, and the
only wa}^ to effect this is to rinse or scald them well as soon
as the cider is out, and not to permit them to stand with
the lees, which will certainly cause them to become sour, musty,
or to smell. When my casks are filled, I place them in the

ORCHARDS. 217

sliade, exposed to northern air; and when fermentation takes
place, I fill them up once or more (with a portion of the same
liquor reserved) to cause as much of the feculent matter as
possible to discharge from the bung ; when a clear white froth
comes out, I put in the bung somewhat loosely or drive it a little
tight and bore a hole in it, and put in a spile, thereby check-
ing fermentation gradually. After this has subsided, I take
the first opportunity of clear, cool weather, and rack it off into
clean casks, which I prepare thus : When I have draw n cider
out of a cask in w^hich it has fermented, I rinse it with cold
water, and put in two or three quarts of fine gravel, and three
or four o;allons of water; the cask is then w^ell shaken or rolled
to scour off the sediment always adhering to the cask, and
which, if not removed, will act as a ferment to the liquor
Avhen returned to the cask, and spoil or greatly injure the
liquor.

"After scouring the cask, I again rinse them, and I find
advantage from burning a match of sulphur suspended in the
cask by a wire, after putting in two or three buckets of cider.
A convenient way to perform this process is to have a long,
tapering bung, so that between the two ends it will fit any
hole ; to the small end of this bung drive a w^ire with a crooked
end to hold the match. If the cider stands a week or more
after racking, previous to being put away in the cellar, I rack
it again, rinsing the casks, but not Avith gravel, and remove
them to the cellar (which should be as dry as possible). The
late made cider, I put in the cellar immediately after or before
the first racking, according as the weather may happen to be.
The cider intended to be kept till Summer, I rack in cool,
clear w^eather, in the latter part of February or beginning of
March ; the casks must be kept full, and bunged as tight as
possible."

The writer of the above jine% his cider with isinglass jelly
as has already been directed, but in case the liquor should not
fine in ten days, he directs to rack it again, and repeat the
fining as before, but says it is best to rack it, whether fine or
not, in ten or twelve days, lest the sediment should rise, which
often happens. He also adds: "The foregoing operation

218 ORCHARDS.

should be performed previously to the apples being in bloom,
but I have succeeded best in the Winter, during steady, cool
wheather. I have likewise had good success in fining cider
directly from the press; when this is done, I set the casks
with one head out, but covered, put in taps, and let them re-
main in a cool place, properly fixed for drawing. When the
fermentation ceases, and the scum begins to crack, I take it
off carefully with the skimmer, and draw it from the sediment.
If not sufficiently fine before the middle of AVinter, I fine it as
above."

We entirely agree with the writer in his views and process
in cider making, and will add that our experience with regard
to keeping the pomace some hours before pressing is, that it
is highly beneficial to the quality, and adds a beautiful amber
color to the liquod In cool weather it may be kept from the
press tivelve hours before pressiiig. Some authors insist that
the pulp should remain in the vat or trough from twenty-four
to forty-eight hours, or even longer, if the weather is cool, in
order to heighten the color and increase the saccharine prin-
ciple.

We append the following recipe, given in the G-ermantoivn
Telegraph by Mr. Nicholas Nail, of Moor county. North Car-
olina, as containing valuable suggestions:

" How TO Make Cider. — All apples fit to be eaten will
make good cider. The grand secret is in cleansing it from
the filth and dregs as early as possible. Each sort of apples
is to be crushed and pressed by themselves. Two kinds of
juice, both good, would, if mixed, often make bad cider. Throw
out all imperfect, sorry, and sunburnt apples, as well as dust
and trash. Crush your apples before much mellowed, as they
lose their strength, soundness, and spirit, if too mellow. Let
them stand a half a day after being crushed, before putting
into the press; then press them sloAvly ; discontinue it as soon
as the juice appears thin and watery. The advantage of
slow pressure is in making the liquor run pure.

" Let your casks, previously v/ell cleansed, be filled quite full,
to permit the froth and pomace to discharge itself at the bung.
When the fermentation abates, cover the bung closely with

ORCHARDS. 219

something that may be lifted by the fixed air that escapes
during the future fermentation..

"In a week, rack off the cider carefully, ceasing the moment
you observe it to run muddy ; now stop the cask more firmly.
In ten days rack it off a second time, and in fifteen days a
third time. In every instance the cask is to be cleaned and
perfectly filled; and when filled for the last time, to be bunged
close in a deep, dry cellar, never to be moved, until drawn
for use.

''Late cider need not be racked until March, and then one
racking, or at the most, two, will be sufficient.

"Be very careful that no water, not even the little that will
adhere after rinsing the cask, is mixed with the cider. The
smallest quantity of rain water will render the cider unfit to
keep. The addition of any quantity of distilled spirits is not
only useless but injurious.

"Mr. Nail's method is the result of long experience, and its
success justifies me in recommending it to the public. I hope
it will be tried.

"I ought to have mentioned that Mr. Nail told me that he
had for many years tried various pla"ns for clarifying cider, to
prevent its souring, by means of milk, isinglass, scalding and
skimming, filtering through sand, &c., and found all useful,
but is satisfied that frequent racking or drawing is fiir prefer-
able to any other method he has attempted." — J. W. P., in
Germantotvn Telegraph.

HOW TO DRY APPLES.

The following advice, if carefully followed, will insure a
ready market and high prices for this valuable commodity.

In collecting the fruit for drying, carefully assort it, and
select all the sound and perfect apples. Pare and core
these carefully, then slice and dry without allowing them to
get wet. See that they are not exposed to dust, and as soon
as dried, put away carefully until ready for market. Follow
these directions as near as you can in every particular, and
when you ofi"er them for sale you will readily realize from two

220 ORCHARDS.

to three cents a pound more than the price of those dried in
the ordinary Avav.

CIDER VINEGAR.

VrXEGAR is an agreeable pungent acid, which is obtained
from cider, wine, beer, or other fermented liquors.

The principal requisites to form good vinegar, according to
Parme^^tier, are: 1st, Contact with the air; 2d, A temper-
atur.' not exceeding 77° of Fahrenheit; 3d, Tlie addition of
some extraneous vegetable matter to promote acetous ferment-
ation; and 4th, The presence of aZ(?o/zo?. This last requisite
has not been generally known in the United States; its im-
portance, however, was discovered by Col. Anderson, of New
York, many years ago, and before Parme.ntier wrote; and
he has since been in the practice of adding some cider spirit
(apple brandy) to make cider vinegar, during the progress of
the acetous fermentation.

"The inhabitants of the cider-perry cantons," says Par-
MENTIER, "make vinegar of these two liquors thus: in a cask
of 800 pints they mix six poumls of sour (aigre) yeast (made
with leaven and rye flour) with hot water, and pour it in the
cask; after agitating it with a stick, they let it remain, and
in six or eight days, vinegar of good strength is produced. It
is very necessary to draAv off this vinegar as soon as done,
because it is more subject to become vapid than wine-vinegar.
The bung, when vinegar is made in this way, should be kept
close.

Mr. Joseph Cooper makes his vinegar of good-bodied sweet
cider; fills the barrels one-third full, and permits it to stand
with the bung-holes slightly covered for at least nine months.
If fermentation does not proceed with sufficient rapidity he
draws off a few quarts of the liquor, and, after boiling and
skimming it, returns it again to the cask. Mr. Cooper con-
firms the utility of the practice of adding cider or rye spirit
to weak vinegar to increase its strength.

Mr. Wm. Sheaff, of Philadelphia, adds one quart of ripe
and bruised sumach-berries, after being boiled with half an

ORCHAKDS. 221

ounce of cream of tartar, to every barrel of cider destined for
vinegar.

Cider vinegar is very valuable f )r market purposes and for
domestic uses. In the South, where the summers are long
and hot, it is made by fermenting new cider in a warm room
or shed fronting the south; or, exposed to the sun with the
bung loose in the open air; under ordinary circumstances,
without an}^ other aid it will become good vinegar in the
course of a few weeks, especially if it be made in the early
part of the Summer.

The apples best adapted to this use are the early seedlings
and fruit from isolated trees on the farm, or any early ripen-
ing apples that are not so good for other purposes. The cider
for vinegar should be made from ripe, sound apples, as early
in Summer as the maturity of the fruit will allow — and it may
be put in sour barrels. It is not proper to rack it off at all,
nor does it need any foreign ingredients to add to its strength
or body, provided it has time to go through a proper ferment-
ation— by Fall it may be good vinegar, but it will not attain
perfection until the next Summer. There are various receipts
for making vinegar, or adding to its strength, with which most
farmers are acquainted. We, however, prefer none of them,
but choose to let the liquor take its natural course. The vin-
egar should not be put in a cellar, unless it be a very dry
one. The casks should be often examined lest they may be
found empty, as the worms frequently perforate the barrels
and all is lost.

There is a method of procuring a very powerful essence of
vinegar, which can be practiced only in very cold weather. It
simply consists in exposing this liquor in basins, or other
shallow vessels, when the watery parts are converted into ice,
but the spirituous or acetous basis remains in a fluid state; so
that, by repeated exposure, one pint of strong vinegar will be
reduced to about a tablespoonful of essence. This preparation
possesses a fine flavor and a most pungent taste, and is valu-
able for particular purposes.

HINTS FOR SOUTHERN FRUIT GROWERS.
P. J. Berckmans, of Augusta, Ga., states in a paper read

222 ORCHARDS.

before the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, that the Sum-
mer apples of the North generally improve in quality when
raised in the Southern States ; the Fall apples are of little
value; and the Northern Winter apples prove worthless, drop-
ping their fruit in August before they are perfected. New
Southern Winter apples are coming into cultivation that will
keep up the supply until April or May. It is important to
train the trees with low heads, so as to shade the stem from
the hot sun of this climate, and to prune so as to preserve
compact heads that shall produce fruit near the centre. The
trees begin to bear early, some producing remunerative crops
the third year after transplanting. In the nursery, the trees
often attain the height of ten feet in a single season.

PEACH CULTURE.

CONTAINING

PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS

FOR THE

CULTIVATION AND MANAGEMENT

OF THE

PEACH TREE AND ITS FRUIT,

AS ADAPTED TO

Southern and Southwestern Climates,

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.

ALSO

COPIOUS LISTS OF THE BEST FRUITS,

Embracing all the Information

NECESSARY TO SUCCESSFUL CULTURE.

"There is not only orafort and health, but money in fruits,"

"To neglect the culture of fruits is to forego one of the highest pleasures of a country
life."— R. H. Bbyan,

THE PEACH,

(Fr. peche ; It. pesca ; Am. pechesen ; Dutch persichhe-
hoom ; Spanish El Melocoton ; Persica vulgaris^ Dec;
Jtosacece, of botanist.)

This well known tree, and its fruit, of the genus Persica
Amygdalus, of niany varieties, is a native of warm or tem-
perate climates, and was originally brought by the Romans
from Persia to Italy in the time of the Emperor Claudius, and
from thence disseminated throughout Europe and other parts
of the world. It was introduced into this country about the
year 1629. The stones were ordered by the " Governor and
Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England in that
year.

Both the peach and nectarine, as well as apricots, are men-
tioned by Beverly as growing abundantly in Virginia in 1720.
Some of the former are represented to have been twelve or
thirteen inches in circumference. They were raised so easily
that some cultivators planted orchards of them purposely for
feeding hogs, while others made a drink of them called "mob-
by," which either was drunk as cider, or distilled into brandy.

Peach trees, as well as those of the quince, are mentioned
by Coklen as having been killed by frost, in the province of
New York, in 1737, but the apple and pear trees were not
hurt by the cold.

The peach was introduced into Louisiana by the Spaniards
prior to its settlement by the French, where it has been since
grown spontaneously, and in many respects apparently indi-
genous.

This tree was introduced at Easton, Talbot county, Mary-
land, by George Bobbins, in about 1735. The stones were
received from Peter Collinson, of England, together with the
seeds of that year.

In the United States, the peach thrives and is matured as
16

226 THE PEACH.

far North as Boston, northward of which it usually fails. It
is well adapted to all the Southern States, except in some low
maritime districts. Throughout the Southwestern and most
of the Western States, it flourishes and attains its greatest per-
fection, growing spontaneously in fence corners, on road sides
and lanes.

This delicious fruit is never raised in England, and not
generally in. France, without the aid of walls. China and the
temperate portions of the United States are, therefore, the
only countries where the peach and apple attain their highest
perfection in the open orchard. The peaches of some parts
of China are said to be the finest in the world, and of double
the usual size. "It is worthy of remark," says a good writer,
"that the peach tree seems to hold very much the same place
in the ancient Chinese writings, that the tree of knowledge of
the old Scriptures, and the golden Hesperides apples of the
heathens do in the early history of western nations. The
traditions of a peach tree, the fruit of which, when eaten,
conferred immortality, and which bore only once in a thousand
years — and of another peach tree of knowledge, which existed
in the most remote period on a mountain guarded by a hun-
dred demons, the fruit of which produced death, are said
to be distinctly preserved in some of the early Chinese wri-
tings. Whatever may have been the nature of these extra-
ordinary trees, it is certain that, as Lord Bacon says, 'not a
slip or sucker has been left behind.' We must, therefore,
content ourselves with the delight A\hich a fine peach of mod-
ern times affords the palate and the eye."

The facility of raising the peach from the seed, remarks a
modern writer, has probably tended to its general diffusion
throughout the world. This fruit has steadily followed the
progress of civilization; and man, from China to Peru, has
surrounded himself with the luxury of this and other stone-
fruits, very soon after he has begun to taste the blessings of a
settled life. There are still spots where ignorance prevents
portions of mankind from enjoying the blessings which Prov-
idence has everywhere ordained for industry; and there are
others where tyranny forbids the earth to be cultivated and

THE PEACH. 227

produce its fruits. The inhabitants of the Haouran, who are
constantly wandering, to escape the dreadful exactions of some
petty tyrant, have neither orchards, nor fruit trees, nor gar-
dens for the growth of vegetables. "Shall we sow for stran-
gers?" was the affecting answer of one of them to Burkhardt.
One of the greatest blessings, continues he, that can be con-
ferred upon any rude people (and it is a blessing which will
bring knowledge, and virtue, and peace in its train), is to
teach them how to cultivate those vegetable productions which
constitute |the best riches of mankind. The traveler, Bur-
chell, rendered such a service to the Bachapins, a tribe of the
interior of Southern Africa. He gave to their chief a bag
of fresh peach stones, in quantity about a quart; "nor did I
fail," says the benevolent visitor of these poor people, to im-
press upon their minds a just idea of their value and nature,
by telling them that they would produce trees which would
continue every year to yield, without further trouble, abund-
ance of large fruit of a more agreeable flavor than any which
grew in the country of the Bachapins."

Although it is generally conceded that the peach tree origi-
nated in Persia, yet it does not follow, from thence, that it
was one of the natural ^productions of that country —
and there are still doubts as to what part of the globe this
splendid fruit was first cultivated or had its origin. Pliny
relates that it had been stated to have possessed venomous
qualities, and the fruit was sent into Egypt by the kings of
Persia, by way of revenge, to poison the natives; but he treats
this story as a mere fable, and considers it the most harmless
fruit in the world ; that it had the most juice and the least
smell of any fruit, and yet caused thirst to those who ate of
it. He expressly states that it was imported by the Romans
from Persia; but whether it was indigenous to that country,
or sent thither from a region still nearer the equator, we have
no information. He adds, that it was not long since peaches
were known in Rome, and that there was great difficulty in
rearing them. He also informs us that this tree was brought
from Egypt to the Isle of Rhodes, where it could never be
made to produce fruit ; and from thence to Italy. He says,

228 THE PEACH.

moreover, that it was not a common fruit either in Greece or
Natalia. No mention, however, is made of it by Cato. Pow-
nall, in his "Roman Provinces," makes it a Phocaean import-
ation to Marseilles; and evident^ it was cultivated in France
at an early period, as Columella, in his account of this fruit,
says —

" Those of small size to ripen make great haste ;
Such as great Gaul bestows, observe due time
And season, not too early or too late."

"According to Royle, it grows in Persia both wild and in
a state of cultivation, and flourishes on the Himalayas at ele-
vations of 5,000 to 6,000 feet above the sea.

"The nectarine is considered by some as a distinct species;
but there can be no doubt on this point, as the peach itself is
believed to be nothing more than an improved fleshy almond,
which bears a similar relation to the peach and nectarine as
the crab does to the apple, and the sloe to the plum. To prove
that the peach and nectarine are essentially the same, it may
be mentioned that the fruit of both have been found on the
same branch; and even various instances are recorded where
the fruit had the smooth surface of the nectarine on one side
and the downy skin of the peach on the Other."

The transformations wrought by horticulturists and pomolo-
gists are all but incredible. The peach, which originally was
considered a poisonous almond, and used, as some say, to im-
pregnate arrows with deadly venom, has become, by long and
judicious cultivation, the most delicious, harmless, and most
excellent of all fruits. Cherries are derived from a berry of
which a single one only grew on a stem; nectarines and apri-
cots are hybrids of the plum and peach ; the chief of esculents,
the cabbage, with its relatives, brocolia and cauliflower, came
from a marine plant — from the common sea-kale, which shoots
up on some sandy shores. From wild, sour crabs, scarcely
larger than boys marbles, have proceeded all varieties of
apples. The largest and richest of plums are descendants of
the black thorn's bitter sloe. Such are mere specimens of
vegetable metamorphoses brought about by transplanting, ac-
climating, crossings, and culture.

THE PEACH. 229

The peach tree usually does not attain a large size, but in
soils and climates well adapted to its growth, its dimensions
are considerable, and it has a somewhat spreading form. In
rather cold climates, the branches become elongated and scat-
tering, in consequence of the new and tender wood of the
suckers and tAA'igs being annually killed by the frost or cold
of the winters, thereby throwing an undue portion of the sap
into the leading branches; which renders the shortening-in
system of pruning particularly applicable to such latitudes,
which forces the tree to fill up wdth numerous branches of
young wood; and, w^hich lessens the leverage of the long
horizontal limbs, and prevents their breaking off with the
w^eight of the fruit. The leaves are narrow, smooth, ard
separated. The blossoms are of a very gay and beautiful
pink color — some are double, and some much larger than
others.

The peach is rather .more tender and not so long lived as
the most of fruits raised in temperate climates, but it is a
rapid grower, and commences to bear fruit usually the third
year from planting the seed. In the Northern States, the
trees often decay after bearing two or three good crops, and
sometimes the first good crop is the last; but this early decay
of the tree is not applicable to the Middle or Western States ;
and, in the more Southern climates it frequently attains the
age of thirty or forty years — and is never attacked by the
disease called the yclloivs.

The fruit of the peach tree is various as to size, according
to the care in cultivation and the health of the tree; ranging
from the size of hulled w^alnuts to that of the largest apples;
specimens often measuring from twelve to thirteen inches in
circumference. It is not so distinctly marked as some other
fruits. There is a good deal of sameness in the general ap-
pearance, size, form and color. The variation is caused by
the climate, culture and soil. Some are of a waxy wdiite,
with a beautiful blush; some of a light wax color; others
nearly red in the sun, while some have a dark gray, or dark
blood red appearance; and all varieties are covered with a soft
downy substance pervading the entire surface of the fruit.

230 THE PEACH.

Some varieties have the flesh cling firmly to the seed; while
others open freely and separate the flesh from the seed per-
fectly. There are a few others which neither cling perfectly
nor separate easily. There is also considerable variation in
the quality of this fine fruit on the same tree; that being best
which is most exposed to the sun and air. These are some of
the peculiarities of this juicy, luscious and most delicious
fruit.

USES OF THE FKUIT.

The peach, as it regards its melting lusciousness of taste
and beauty of appearance, excels all the fruits of the earth.
It has been aptly said that "no fruit this side of Paradise"
can successfully rival the blushing cheek and nectared juices
of some of our fine varieties. Its delicious, refreshing pulp
is always in demand when uncooked, or, when cooked, it
affords the most elegant and wholesome culinary material and
delicious dessert dishes.

The fruit, when perfectly ripened on the tree, and eaten
when fresh and plump, is very nourishing, and can be indulged
in with impunity, almost to depletion, without disagreeable re-
sults. It is nourishing, diuretic, slightly laxative, and has
other delicate and fine medicinal qualities. In pies, it is espe-
cially fine, superb — nothing of the sort can be better. Raw
peaches, with a little crushed sugar, are not to be despised —
maple sugar, peaches, and cream is a dessert for the gods.

Though somewhat transient in their fresh state, peaches
may be carried in ice to distant parts of the world in a fine,
sound condition — and, when dried, they can be kept in any
climate, and carried to any distance. In locations distant
from market, they may be converted into the finest brandy for
medicinal and other purposes; and where they cannot be put
early into the market, they may be largely cultivated for the
purpose of drying, and sent to market whenever desired.
Dried peaches are now (April, 1870,) selling at Richmond at
13 to 15 cents per pound, peeled; unpeeled, from 7 to 9
cents. At Norfolk,, peeled, --15 to 17 ; unpeeled, 10 to 12
cents. Lynchburg, peeled, 12 to 14 cents; unpeeled, 8 to

THE PEACH. 231

10 cents. Alexandria, peeled, 13 to 15; unpeeled, 10 to 12
cents. Last Winter they commanded more than double these
prices in all the cities.

The drying of peaches in the far South is effected by spread-
ing the fruit on boards, or frames filled up with boards, and
exposed to the sun and air; but where the business is done
on a larger scale, for market, a drylng-liouse is constructed,
which is heated by a stove and furnished with ventilated
drawers, a description of which has already been given in the
course of this work. These drawers are provided with bot-
toms made of laths or narrow strips, just open enough to
allow the heated air to circulate freely through them. They
are filled with free stone peaches, in halves, taken before too
ripe. If they are to be dried unpeeled, they are first dipped
in boiling hot water for a few minutes, they are then cut in
two, the stone taken out, and the two halves distributed in
single layers, touching each other, with the skin downward.
When the drying is completed by the heat of the drying-house,
which requires but a short time, the drawers are taken out and
a fresh layer put on.

The leaves of the peach when bruised and mixed with water,
or bruised in water, and distilled, is a preparation called jjt'«<?^
water, which is much used as a delicate flavoring extract for
culinary purposes. If steeped in brandy or other spirits, they
communicate a grateful flavor called '^ Noyean.'' An imita-
tion of the celebrated improved Noyean is made by using the
best white brandy, which, after being flavored with this ex-
tract, is sweetened with refined sugar mixed with a small por-
tion of sweet milk, and then decanted.

The refuse of the peach orchard and distillery are used in
fattening hogs — for this purpose it is considered wholesome
and valuable food.

Peaches put up in brandy are considered a luxury, and the
canning of this fruit in a ripe state, fresh from the trees in
air-tight vessels, has become quite a large and profitable busi-
ness in many parts of the United States.

An eminent Northern pomologist says; "No man w^ho lives
under a warm sun will hesitate about giving a due share of

232 THE PEACH.

his garden to peaches, if he has no orchard; and even he who
lives north of the best Indian corn limits ought to venture on
a small line of espalier for the sake of the peach."

PROPAGATION OF THE PEACH.

This fruit is, perhaps, more easily propagated than any of
our cultivated fruits. The stone or seed may be planted any
time in the Fall. They will come up, however, much sooner
in the Spring, and without further trouble, if planted as soon
as the flesh is off — before they become dry. If they are allowed
to get dry, they can stiU be planted in thick layers or beds,
and covered three or four inches with rich mould, and in the
following Spring, when the ground becomes warm and dry
enough to work, they may be taken up and carefully cracked,
so as not to mash or injure the kernels. These kernels can
now be distributed in nursery rows in rich, light, well prepared
soil. Place them about one inch deep, or as deep as you
plant Indian corn, and twelve inches apart in the rows. The
nursery rows should be four or five feet apart, and the rows
had best run in a direction that will secure the most warmth
from the sun. If the stones of the peach are planted as soon
as the flesh is off', they will vegetate the next Spring, and, in
rich, mellow soil, will grow from three to four feet in height
by the Fall ; and may be budded in August or September.
This is an operation that should be carefully performed.
G-raf ting the peach is seldom attempted, as success in this way
is always uncertain. The buds should be put in as near the
ground as possible. The next year, during the month of
March, the young trees should be headed back; that is, care-
fully cut off just above the bud, and the trees will, from these
buds, in a good soil, attain the height of five or six feet the
first year — and this is far the best size for transplanting, viz:
one year from the bud. In northern climates the plum stock
is preferred to the peach for the purpose of propagation, espe-
cially for the finer sorts; and it is more suitable for walls and
protected places.

We believe, however, that free-growing, healthy peach stocks

THE PEACH. 233

are the most suitable and natural foundation for the growth
of all standard orchard peach trees.

In planting the stones to raise from, great care should be
taken to select the largest and soundest, from vigorous thrifty
trees, and not put in those of a different character — as such
discrimination will be a great advantage to the growth, and
also protection from worms and diseases, especially the yellows^
where that disease is prevalent.

Dwarf trees are made such by budding in the Marahelle
plum stock, or some other slow growing variet}^ of plum. Some
employ the almond stock, but not for dw^arfing.

In raising seedling kinds, the stones should be grown in the
South for Southern culture, and in the North for Northern
culture. The peach is so easily propagated by seeds, and
seedling varieties are often so very good, we are inclined to
recommend a portion of the orchard or garden to be devoted
exclusively to them. A good author advises the orchardist
(and we entirely concur with him) to select fixed varieties,
which, if cultivated at a proper distance from other trees, so
as not to mix in the blossom, will invariably produce the same
from the seed. The peach is propagated in this way w^ith
much less trouble, and, we kyioiv the trees to he much more
hardy and durable; especially if the seeds or stones are planted
and allowed to groAv just where the tree is to stand in the
orchard — by this means you save nearly a year's growth of
the tree. With proper cultivation* and attention a complete
assortment of fine peaches may be obtained, with quality as
good, and/«r more, durable than the best budded varieties. f

We have among our fine peaches several fixed varieties,
and others might be proven to be such, by planting a few of
their stones apart from other varieties, and when they come

* The young plants must be carefully weeded during the Summer, and if the seed and
management have both been good, they will grow to the height of three or four feet by
the Fall.

t Budded trees are more tender than seedlings. Something is due to the difference in
varieties, but there is more due to the budding. In the budded trees, the sap does not
iind its way from branch to root so readily as in the seedlings, and the consequence is,
that the fruit-bud on the former has a larger growth, is not so compactly done up, and
consequently cannot so well stand the action of frost. Should any one be skeptical with
regard to this position, as to the effects of the cicatrix, let him dissect carefully a few
young trees at the point where the bud or graft is inserted.

234 THE PEACH.

into bearing, if they all be precisely the same, it may be re-
garded as a fixed variety. Try several varieties in this way,
and those that come nearest to the sameness required should
be adapted as fixed standard varieties. In this way a splen-
did assortment might be obtained with no expense and but
little trouble.

SUITABLE SOILS AND SITUATIONS.

It is conceded tliat the very best soil for the peach is a
deep, rich, sandy loam, or any strong mellow loam. Mellow
loam, containing but little sand has been found to produce
fruit of the finest quality, and for a long time successively;
a light, thin, sandy soil will produce fine fruit, but the trees
on such soils are not long-lived. The worst and poorest soils
for the peach are compact clay, containing little vegetable
matter. The rich, friable, red soils of the Piedmont sections
of the South are unsurpassed in their adaptability to the per-
fection and lusciousness of this fruit, and the finest of all spe-
cimens are grown in this region, not only as it regards flavot^,
but also size and beauty.

As a general thing, the peach will flourish in any moderately
rich, friable soil, with suitable culture. Some authors esteem
as best, a light and rather dry loam. On lands rather light
and sandy, sivamp muck or diteh mud mixed with stable ma-
nure is a highly beneficial corrective. On soils of a contrary
character, sand, saw dust, leaves, &c., will aid greatly in the
pulverization and productiveness of such land.

Situation. — In regions of country that are subject to
vernal frosts, situation or aspect is of considerable importance,
as the blossoms are liable to be cut off* when in the half open
or full blown state; and they are sometimes killed in the bud
by the rigor of severe winters. This has happened to some
extent in Virginia during the last winter, 1869-70. The
fruit buds were not sufficiently matured up to November,
during Avhich month we had the coldest spell ever known at
the approach of our usual winter — affording an opportunity
to get ice. Then we had a remarkably warm winter up to

THE PEACH. 235

the 20tli of February. On the 22d there was plenty of ice
to put away, and the weather very cold. At this time the
peach buds were very much swollen, and the most forward
were killed by the freezing and bursting of their cells.

Those who have to plant peach orchards in such frosty dis-
tricts will find great advantage in making plantations on the
north sides of hills, northern slopes and elevated grounds.
They should be preferred to Avarm valleys and southern
aspects, as in the cooler positions and aspects the vegetation
is retarded, and may escape injury. The vicinity of large
rivers and lakes, in the interior of the country, are also ex-
empt from the effect of frosts and are generally finely adapted
to fruit culture.

It is not uncommon that the peach crop is partially or en-
tirely destro3^ed in valleys and warm locations, whilst on the
neighboring elevations fine and full crops are produced. It
is said, on a frosty night in Fall or Spring, the thermometer
indicates five or six degrees lower on bottom or valley lands,
especially if they are narrow and deep, than on the hills ad-
jacent. This difference, with regard to temperature, often
causes, in such situations, a total failure of fruit. Those who
are compelled to put their trees in such situations should
plant those varieties that have the habit of late blooming.
They should also select the fixed varieties,'^ such as produce
the same from the seed; grafted fruit is always the most
tender; such seedlings should be planted in the places in
which they are to stand, as trcmsplcnited trees are more or less
tender. They should be kept in a vigorous state — the worm
at the root should be attended to, and the long limbs cut back,
and the cultivation by no means neglected. Such trees will
bear much frost and cold without injury. This treatment will
cost no more than that practiced on trees in more favored
positions.

Perhaps a safer plan to secure regular crops in situations
unusually frosty, is to procure nursery trees from the States
far South — say from Georgia.f The young trees from that

* Such as the Cohimbia, Heath Cling, Tufts Kareripe, Hale's Melocotion.
t Middle Georgia.

236 THE PEACH. .

State will bloom at least ten or tivelve days later in Virginia
or Maryland than trees of the same variety that are natives
of New Jersey or New York, when placed in the same orchard ;
and, by late blooming, will generally escape the late frosts in
the Spring. This is a very important fact — and the benefit
to be derived from this knowledge is not confined to those
situations that are es2:)ecially frosty..

PREPAKATIOX OF THE SOIL AND PLANTING THE

TREES.

If the natural drainage is not sufficient to carry ofi" the sur-
plus water and moisture, it should be eff'ected by artificial
means — such as surface draining, by bedding the soil, by open
and by secret or subterranean ditches. The soil should be
deeply broken by first using a two or three horse plow, fol-
lowed by a sub-soil plow as deep as possible. The ground
should be well harrowed down. The plowing had best be
done parallel with the ditches, or, if the descent is very grad-
ual, and no ditches, up and down the grade, so as to aid in
the drainage. The rows for the trees may now be laid off
with the plow each way at the distance apart desired for the
trees, stakes having first been set as guides for the plowman,
who must have good command over his team. When the
ground is thus checked oif, the places may be easily prepared
with the mattock and spade; and the notched hoard may be
used to designate the exact spot for the tree. The planting
of the peach is generally performed in the same manner as
that already described for the apple tree, the process being
substantially the same. Extremely rich soil, however, is rather
detrimental for the growth of this splendid fruit, as the trees
will require much pruning, and the fruit will ripen badly and
bo subject to the rot.

As to the distance each tree should stand apart — about
twenty feet each way, where the land is to be cultivated and
the trees expected to grow large, will be about right; or,
twenty-one feet each way, which is 100 trees to the acre.
When the trees are to be shortened-in, or trained in somewhat

THE PEACH. . 237

a conical or pyramidal form, fifteen feet may be sufficient for
regular orchards. Where it is desired to take the wagon
through the orchard, to carry the fruit away, tAventy-four feet
distance to every fiftli row, one way, will afford sufficient
space. In apple orchards, with trees thirty or thirty-three
feet, a row of peach trees between may be grown with ad-
vantage.

Pi'oper Location. — The Rev. C. W. Westbrook, an eminent
pomologist of North Carolina, says: "The peach does not
require the richest, nor will it succeed on the poorest soils,
unless a good supply of vegetable matter be used, not only in
planting., but subsequentl}^ as a top-dressing. In planting a
peach orchard, I would select, as a general rule, high ground
of moderate fertility, capable of producing a moderate crop of
grain."

"I would not be careful to select a northern, southern,
eastern, or western exposure in particular, but Avould prefer
to plant, if possible, on opposite ground at the same time.
For example — one of my neighbors owned a high hill which
sloped north and south. He had peach orchards on both
sides of the hill. I have seen the orchard on the north side
burdened with fruit; while on the south side the frost had
completely destroyed the crop — and vice versa. The same
may be said of eastern and western exposures.^

"It is doubtless quite as advantageous to plant on different
locations, and thereby render a crop in either one of the
orchards almost certain annually. Peach trees will thrive,
with proper care, in either red, gray, or sandy soils."

When to Plant. — The same Southern writer says (and we
are of the same opinion): "There seems tu be various dif-
ferences of opinion in regard to the most suitable season for
transplanting peach trees. I am satisfied that the Fall is the
proper time. My reasons are obvious: In the first place, the
peach tree, to do well, and come early into bearing, in addi-

* The author agrees with Mr. AVestbrook in this — having experienced the effects of the
vicissitudes of the Winter in different locations and exposures; and, he has to remark
in the same connection, that his orchards on the hills are at this time (May the 1st)
laden with young fruit, whilst those in the valley have none, or but a scattering crop.
This was occasioned by the cold of the 22d and 2od of February, 1870.

238 . THE PEACH.

tion to thorough cultivation, and thorough pruning, must be
transplanted in a dormant state, or, after the leaves have
fallen, the sap ceased flowing, and the roots well matured ;
and before young rootlets begin to grow, or the buds begin to
swxll. November and December constitute the season to which
I allude. By the 10th of November, in this latitude, the sap
is perfectly dormant. Usually, the month of January is too
cold, and the ground too much frozen for transplanting. In
February the sap begins to rise, and the roots begin to grow,
and the buds begin to sw^ll." At the North, Spring is pre-
ferred, especially for stiif clayey soils. The peach tree, how-
ever, w^ill thrive, if properly planted, from the first of Novem-
ber to the time the fruit buds begin to show the red.

When it is necessary to use manures in the preparation of
the soil for transplanting, tvood ashes should not be omitted,
as the peach tree contains much potash. The soil into which
the trees are to be set should be fertilized also with scrapings
from the woods and fence corners — well pulverized swamp
muck is very beneficial. Trees planted in the Spring should
always be mulched.

One of the causes of peach trees dying while young is the
planting, transplanting, and pruning the same stock, which
causes the stock to be tender, and the bark of the tree very
rough; this roughness of the bark gives opportunities to in-
sects to lodge and breed in it; and birds in search after these
insects for their support, with their sharp bills, wound the
stock in many places ; from which wounds the sap of the tree
is drawn out, which congeals, and seldom fails to kill, or to
render the tree useless, in a few years. To prevent this,
transplant the trees, as young as possible, where you mean
them to stand — by so doing, you save nearly all the roots. If
the kernel is planted where the tree is intended to stand
there will be )io cheek in growth, which is always injurious to
peach trees. But as trees already budded are generally pro-
cured from the nurseries, it is w^ell, in order to secure good
roots, to purchase those, only one year from the bud.- Such
young trees need no staking,- and, if properly planted, will
grow erect and vigorous, and will outstrip those planted at

THE PEACH. 239

the same time of larger size. Where rocks can be conve-
nientl}^ obtained, it is well to place two or three flat ones about
the roots. With such protection the trees will stand a hur-
ricane.

If the kernels are planted where thej are intended to re-
main, which is always best, the soil should be in fine condition,
and they will grow large enough to bud by the next season ;
and that portion which are fixed varieties, and do not require
budding, will remain and grow off w^ithout any disturbance.
Transplanting, as has already been recommended, should be
done in the Fall, as soon as the leaves are off; or, very early
in the Spring. In close, clayey soils. Spring planting is con-
sidered best; but it should be done early, before the buds
start, unless unavoidable circumstances prevent. The later it
is done, the more careful should be the preparation of the soil.

Some Winters give favorable opportunities for planting
during that season, and it is all the better if a little trash or
mulching be throw^n around the stem, at the roots, to prevent
freezing out and injury from frost. In budding, sefect buds
having three leaves or buds, and next to these two, preferring
the buds at or near the middle of the scion.

Those who wish to plant a nursery of peach stones (which
should be selected from the largest and most perfect fruits),
should have their ground light and mellow. Plant in drills
about four feet apart and one foot apart in the rows. When
from three to five inches high, they can be removed with the
transplanting trowel or mattock, with as much soil adhering
as may be convenient. Some let them remain two years; but
with a suitcable soil and good culture, the peach is large enough
for budding the first year, and for transplanting the second;
it is not desirable to have larger trees, and the younger they
are placed where they are to remain the better, as such trees
will grow off more freely and become more healthy and vigor-
ous than trees transplanted at the same time of much larger
size.

Mr. Westbrook directs peach trees to be planted in the fol-
lowing manner: "In small orchards, I use stakes, set, one for
every tree to be planted, and in perfectly straight lines either

240 THE PEACH.

way. If the soil be tliin, I drop a few shovels full of rich
earth from the woods or fence corners at every stake. The
planting, then, is easily done.

" The soil having been previously well broken, I dig a hole
large enough to receive, in their natural position, all the
roots: the stake being left standing. Then cut off with a
sharp knife about one third of the branches of the tree;
or, in other words, reduce the top about one third; also,
by an under cut, any bruised or mutilated portions of the
roots (Mr. W., we suppose, refers to trees two or three years
old), leaving all the sound, healthy roots and fibres Then
take up the stake and plant the tree exactly where the stake
stood, and just as deep, and no deeper, than it grew in the
nursery, spreading out the roots naturally. Then sift or
scatter the fine soil gently on the roots, until all the interstices
are v.ell filled by working it in among the fibres with the
fingers, while the earth is thrown in, and then, as rapidly as
you please, up to the collar of the tree (which is the place a
little above where the roots are emitted from the loAver ex-
tremity of the trunk — usually about two inches, and of a yel-
lowish color), and then press the earth gently with the feet all
around the stem and over the roots. The planting done, it is
best to throw some kind of coarse litter, such as can be most
easily obtained, around the trees, covering the surface five or
six inches, to protect the roots in dry weather. When trees
are planted in the Fall, I deem it altogether unnecessary to
use the litter."

CULTIVATION.

It is well known to the cultivators of this delightful fruit,
that it requires careful cultivation in order to insure the per-
fection of both tree and fruit that is always desirable, and
which is by this means so easily attained. Nothing that grows
out of the earth will pay better for the care bestowed, or will
shew good treatment sooner than the peach tree. Although
it cannot be denied, that in favorable climates, and in good
soils, trees promiscuously growing about farms will, for a few
years, bear fruit of fine fiavor — yet such fruit will not be

THE PEACH. 241

large, and the trees will last only a few years in consequence
of the worm at the root.

Without attention, the peach is always afjiilure; at least
to a great extent. This accounts for the discouragement which
attends the raising of this delicious fruit in many places. It
is tender, and needs care in its management; yet very little
skill or science is required in attaining for it high perfection
both in fruit and tree. The difficulties generally complained
of originate in northern climates. The South is the original
home of the peach, and we have only the curculio and the
hover to contend with, as a general thing. Every person who
attempts peach culture should resolve to bestow the time ne-
cessary to keep out the grass — to give a little manure now
and then — and to keep the soil beneath the trees in a fine
pulverized condition. Do this, and attend to the directions
in this work for the destruction of the insects just named, and
the most satisfactory results will certainly reward the light
labor bestowed.

It will be a pleasant recreation for the farmer in his walks,
during the fine days of Spring, to view the beautiful blooming
of his trees — their progressive, teeming luxuriance — and after-
w^ards to witness the increasing size, development and beauty
of the fruit; whilst, at the same time, he pinches off a useless
or exuberant twig or bud here and there — or sees a little gum
exuding from the crown of the roots of the young trees, indi-
cating the presence and work of the borer, and with his
pocket-knife follows him up, and decapitates the little raven-
ous sap-sucker.

Although the peach tree is so easily raised, yet there is
considerable diversity of opinion among authors and garden-
ers as to the proper cultivation and training of this unrivaled
fruit. There is disparity of opinion between Northern and
Southern orchardists. Those of the South, for light sandy
soils, recommend shallow plowing and tillage; while those at
the North plow deeper, and work the soil more thoroughly.
Perhaps both are right — for, in the light, thin, sandy soils,
the roots are forced to run shallow in search of food, and the
.plowing, if not carefully done tears and bruises the roots to
17

242 THE PEACH.

a serious extent. On the other hand, trees grown in deeply
prepared, loamy soils run deep, and beyond the reach of the
plow in caltivation. The farmer must, therefore, use some
judgment in this matter, and vary his practice according to
the depth and nature of his soil. (Perhaps the best tool with
which to work immediately under the trees is a good garden
fork; and, in no case, allow the plow to pass right under the
trees.)

The cultivator of light sandy soils enriches the ground by
mulching, and top dressing with manure, and leaves it in a
state of rest. This treatment is no doubt the best for such
soils. In deep, loamy soils, the ground having been deeply
plowed or spaded before planting, the roots naturally run
deep, and admit the cultivation, by plowing or other tillage,
with great benefit. In all heavy, clayey soils, the ground
should be kept constantly mellow and loose. No grass or
weeds should be allowed to grow near the trees to rob them
of their food.* Root crops, peas, and any low, hoed crops
may be permitted between the rows for two or three years,
but nothing should be grown just under the trees. After the
third or fourth year, no crops should be raised in the peach
orchard, but the whole surface should be cultivated for the
exclusive benefit of the trees.

In regard to the poverty or fertility of soils intended for
peach culture, there is some disparity of opinion; but it is
generally conceded that a medium soil is to be preferred. The
poorer soils produce the finer flavored fruit, but the quantity
is less, and the trees suffer for want of food — insects take ad-
vantage of this feeble state of the tree, and are especially in-
jurious to it and its fruit. Peach trees on very rich soils
grow faster and larger, look greener, and are thicker in the
boughs, and cause a thicker shade; yet on them will grow
but ver} little fruit, and that little will be ill-tasted, greenish,
even when seemingly ripe, and of a bad kind. A middling
fertility should, therefore, be preferred, as producing vigorous

*The cultivation of the peach and apple^ especially of the former, should be continued
latei? tfiau that of corn or potatoes. It should be continued as long as weeds will
grow.

THE PEACH. 248

and healthy trees, bountiful crops, and fruit of fine size and
quality.

In deep, loose soils, the roots of the p^acli tree penetrate to
a considerable depth. Instead of losing by being opened and
exposed to the frosts and air, the stiff clayey soil gains greatly
in value by the very act of rendering it more friable, while at
the same time it has naturally sufficient heart to bear a crop-
ping with peas or roots with advantage rather than injury to
the trees. The health, growth, and vigor of an orchard in
moderately strong land, kept under cultivation, is surprisingly
greater tlian if allowed to remain in sod. The farmer will
see that the difference in treatment, or cultivation, therefore,
should always adapt itself to the nature of the soil.

Trees that have been grown and cultivated for a length of
time, and not manured, unless the land is naturally strong,
are like an animal tied to a post with a limited range of pas-
ture. In both cases it is indispensable that food be carried to
them or they will starve.

The crops injurious to the peach tree are those that ripen
their seeds — such as Indian corn, and all small grains. Clover,
and all the grasses, are decidedly injurious. Potatoes, and
all root crops may be cultivated with advantage, for a time,
among the trees — squashes, pumpkins, and vines generally,,
may be allowed. Pasturing orchards with small animals, when
the trees are three or four years old, by turning in hogs, calves,
sheep and poultry, will have a good effect in destroying insects,
as the animals consume the wormy and faulty fruit as it falls.
Sometimes hogs will strip the bark from the roots of peach
trees. We had a few valuable trees injured in this way some
years ago. The hogs are the MOST serviceable ix the
ORCHARD, BUT THEY MUST BE WATCHED. \Yhile on this Sub-
ject, it may not be amiss to say something about enclo-
sures. If you have a mind to get your orchard effectually
pruned, omit this little matter, and your cattle will perform
the job in much less time than you could do it yourself. Their
avidity and energy are surprising, as they will leave clover up
to their eyes to browse on the luxuriant branches of your val-

244 THE PEACH.

uable and favorite trees, remorselessly tearing them limb and
branch, and all your labor is lost.

ENCLOSUEES.

A cheap fence can be made of posts and rails irx this way:
Set your posts eight to ten feet apart — they may be six feet
above the ground. Mortise, or bore holes with a two inch
augur for three rails, divided properly, so that the fence will
be five feet high, and let them in the posts. The holes in the
ground, for the posts, should be about eighteen inches deep.
This fence will be fully sufficient to keep out cattle, and any
coarse workman can make it.

Another simple and cheap fence for this purpose is made as
follows: A stake and cap line is made the usual way. The
stakes well driven, or put in ihe ground. Have the usual
crook for a stake and cap fence. Prepare short stakes; drive
them in the ground between the long stakes — that is, between
each pair of long stakes — so that, when well driven, about two
and a half feet of them will remain above ground. Now place
three or four courses of rails between each pair of long stakes
with their ends resting on the top of the short stakes. This
will make a substantial fence four and a half or five feet high,
sufficient to keep out all large stock, and suitable for any
orchard and for other purposes.

MANURES.

When the soil around peach trees requires manure, which
it very often does, there is nothing better than wood aches,
leached or unleached, and all vegetable manures are proper
for this fruit.

Well-rotted chip manure and ashes, or, a light dressing of
lime with the litter, is very beneficial. Muck or ditch mud,
when a Winter's frost has ameliorated it, mixed with animal
or vegetable manures, is an excellent compost, especially if
the soil be light, sandy, or slaty. Soap-suds, chamber-slops,
&c., are good; and their action, like that of ashes, is imme-
diate and certain.

245

For the renovation of old orchards, peach or apple, these
manures act like a charm, and no farmer who has old dilapi-
dated trees can aiford to neglect their culture, pruning, and
painting the wounds

renewing and nourishin

and the application of some of these life-
g stimulants. The result in subse-

quent crops would hardly be credited.

TRAINING AND PRUNING.

The pruning and training of the peach tree at the South,
especially at the far South, is practiced for a different pur-
pose from that practiced when we approach the limits of peach
culture at the North. The peach tree at the South, if allowed
to take its natural shape and grow^th, bears fruit in the third
or fourth year from planting, and usually has a well-shaped,
rather spreading, round head; full of small bearing branches
and twigs well furnished with leaves and buds — the fruit
always produced on the last year's growth. The only prun-
ino' here should be to shorten-in from one half to one third of
the last year's growth to prevent over-bearing — and allowing
the trees to branch as low as is sufficient to protect their stems
from the scorching rays of the sun, aided by the compact
heads that this manner of pruning produces — the heat and
exposure to the sun still being sufficient here to give color and
flavor to the fruit. Trees grown at the North, if left to take
the sltape that is fo7^ced upon them, shoot up their branches in

the air, and stretch them irregularly around to an extent out
of all proportion. This is on accoimt of climate. The small
limbs, shoots and twigs being always killed out during their

246 THE PEACH.

Winters;* leaving only the large, bare, and rigid limbs with
vitality sufficient to produce buds and leaves, and all the sap
and growth are employed and forced to the ends of these lean
branches, causing their unnatural elongation. (See cut.)
Hence the necessity of keeping these long branches constantly
cut hack, or never allowed to straggle off; and if they should
bear fruit, the leverage would generally split them off the
stem and ruin the trees ; so, that the shortening system is a
nee essai^y restraint m both the North and South; but it is
practiced (in part) for different purposes. In the former case,
it is to screen the stem and interior of the tree from the
scorching and blistering effects of the sun, and to increase
the size and quality of the fruit by reducing the quantity; while
at the North, it is done to increase the number and promote
the growth of short branches, and throw more vigor into the
small shoots and twigs about the stem and body of the tree,
so as to keep them in a healthy, vigorous condition, to stand
the cold of the Winters, and to induce fruitfulness and supe-
riority of fruit.

Northern writers and cultivators of this valuable fruit do
not seem to know why they are compelled to take this cutting
back and shortening-in course; but erroneously suppose they
are correcting the habit of the tree — forgetting that the peach
is a native of warm climates, and that it is naturally a round,
bushy, compact headed tree. In other words the rounded
shape of the head of the tree at the North is the result of art,
while at the South, it is the work of nature.
> The early cultivators of this fruit in the United States, or
in the Mi idle States, seem to have 'been of the opinion that
the tree required but little, if any, pruning, training, or cul-
ture; and this opinion might have been strengthened by the
fact that the Winters, if not more mild, were prevented from
damaging the trees and the fruit by the protection afforded
by the tall forests that surrounded the small clearings of that
period. The curculio, the borer, and the disease called Yel-
loius were entirely unknown — and the crops were raised in
such abundance, without care o-r special culture, as to be fed

* This is sometimes the case in some parts of Virginia.

THE PEACH. 247

to the hogs. As the country became open, the cold, blighting
winds increased in force ; the insects began their work of de-
vastation, and diseases before unknown were developed more
or less fatal : and the resistance of the trees to all these
enemies became more feeble as the fresh soil grew thin
by repeated injudicious cropping, and deprived of polash and
all the requisites that sustain the healthy growth and longevity
of the tree. The growing of grain crops was especially inju-
rious— and the peach crop declined. The production became
uncertain, and many cultivators, from these causes, and from
their negligence of proper tillage, gradually gave up the cul-
tivation in many places. The same in many respects may be
said of apple culture. We hope, however, the '"'' golden age'
of fruit culture is about to be revived, and that Avith proper
tillage,' skill, and attention, this pleasing and profitable branch
of horticulture will attain th^ success and development it de-
serves, and such as modern science, and energy, and an enlight-
ened view of the importance of the subject demand.

What is generally termed the shortening-in system, if reg-
ularly attended to in the early Spring or Winter, will enable
the peach tree to continue in full vigor and production in
almost any good soil for from twenty to thirty years. Observe
a healthy young tree in the garden or orchard, the first bloom-
ing year. It is usually from six to eight feet in height, and,
in the South, the head is well shaped, branching off about two
or three feet from the ground. (We think Ioav heads are best
on many accounts; they shade the stem and roots, and are
more convenient for pruning and gathering.) The tree, per-
haps, has never been pruned, or only slightly, to regulate its
shape, and this is no disadvantage. In the latter part of the
Winter, or very early in Spring, the pruning may be done.
This is a very simple and easy operation, and consists only of
shortening-in, or cutting off one third or half the last seasons
groivth over the whole outside head of the tree, and also of some
of the inside branches. The usual annual growth will probably
average from one to one and a half or two feet, and this trim-
ming will take off from six to twelve inches. No exact length
is required — and it is well to shorten back the strongest shoots

248 THE PEACH.

most, in order to favor the growth of the shorter ones. The
longest limbs, that destroy the balance of the tree, should be
cut back, in order to restore the equilibrium and uniformity
of the head. By pursuing this course, the tree is brought to
a well rounded shape, and all danger of the limbs splitting off
with the weight of fruit is obviated. By reducing the wood
of the last year's growth, say to one half, it must be recol-
lected we reduce the next year's crop to one Jtalf, for we thus
take off the bearino; twigs. The remaining half will now re-
ceive all the sustenance of the tree, and the fruit will be
double in size. As the season advances, the young shoots put
out from every part of the tree, and keep it well furnished
with healthy, vigorous bearing wood for the growth of the
next crop. The size and luxuriance of the leaves aid in pro-
ducing larger and finer flavored fruit. It is the practice of
some gardeners to shorten back close above a zvood hud rather
than a blossom bud, which is an advantage to the foliage as
well as the fruit. The size and beauty of the fruit is much-
promoted by the size and vigor of the leaves. Fruit buds
may be known, as has been noticed in another part of this
work, by the spherical form they assume. The leaf buds
being pointed and rather sharp.

This system of pruning must be a regular business, every
year, as .long as the tree lasts. It is done much more expedi-
tiously than most persons are aware. The wounded parts^
being small, need no plaster or painting, and it is generally
done w^hen the farmer is not busy.

The appearance of a tree, or an orchard, pruned in this
way, even after bearing many successive crops, is a very great
and notable contrast to that of the skeleton shapes that have
not been favored with this regulating treatment. Some people
are very cautious, and discredit the benefits of this shorten-
ing-in mode, as applied to the peach tree; but they should
mark the difference between a beautifully rounded, low-headed,
healthy young tree, laden with large, beautiful fruit, and lux-
uriant green foliage, while the tree not so treated is of a char-
acter so different, as is exhibited by the wood cuts above rep-
resented; no one should, or can, doubt the advantages of so

THE PEACH. 249

simple a course of treatment to secure results so valuable,
■which thej can see with half an eye. All intelligent orchard-
ists recommend it "with entire confidence to every man who
plants a peach orchard or cultivates this splendid fruit.

The training of the peach tree, as practiced in France
or England, against walls or by espaliers, is of but little use
in this country, except, perhaps, in some Northern latitudes.
It is a little practiced in the vicinity of Boston, and some
towns north of that place; and, it may answer very well for
standard trees. In many parts of New England crops may
be grow^i in this way. Directions for training, as adapted to
this fruit, may be found in another part of this book. (See
page .) For small gardens, and for ornamental purposes,
at the South and West, it may be recommended; but in ordi-
nary culture it would be attended with loss.

Early Bearing. — In order to hasten or induce early bear-
ing, w^here trees are very luxuriant and expend their energies
in growth, it is recommended to clip off the extremity of the
branches in the early part of July—ssij about one third of
the new growth ; by this means, blossom buds will be produced,
the latter part of the Summer, for the next crop. This has
been found to be very successful, and is recommended by sev-
eral good authors.

A Grood Wash for the Peach Tree. — Take about a gallon
of unslacked lime, two quarts of soot, a quart of soft soap,
and one pound of sulphur. Pour on this warm water, until
the whole is of a creamy consistency, or of the consistency
of oil paint. It is applied to the stem and large limbs of the
trees with a painter's brush, sponge or cloth. It should be
laid on as hot as you can bear the hand in it, and it should be
put on in the Spring and again during the Summer. This
will promote growth and health, increase the vigor of the
trees, and is excellent for the destruction of insects injurious
to both tree and fruit.

DISEASES— THE YELLOWS AND CURLED LEAF.

The Yellows is a most fatal disease, supposed to be consti-
tutional wath the peach tree. Its ravages, however, as far as

250 THE PEACH.

the author's knowledge extends, seem to be confined at the
present time to the Northern and Eastern States, and some
portions of the West — the fine peach growing sections of the
South and Southwest being nearly exempt from this formid-
able malady. It belongs exclusively to this country, r>nd
originated below Philadelphia about the first of the present
century. For near an hundred years after the tree was in-
troduced into this country from Europe, it was cultivated (or
rather planted) in Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey, and
was, during all that time entirely free from all diseases, and
the fruit was raised in the greatest abundance with but little
culture or care, and was propagated principally from seeds.
The fresh and rich virgin soils of those States, at this period,
being eminently adapted to its growth and perfection. Most
of these soils, however, were light and sandy, and the cultiva-
tion of cereal crops was continuous and exhaustive, and in a
majority of cases, without the least attention to the improve-
ment of the soil, or rotation of "crops, or, even an effort to
sustain the fertility of the soil. Previous to this time, the
peach tree, which was mostly allowed to have the exclusive
benefit of the soil on which it stood became, by constant and
close culture of other crops, in a manner starved out. The
trees became enfeebled — the seeds imperfect — producing more
weakly trees from generation to generation, until at last, about
the year 1814, this destructive disease became so prevalent as
.to destroy whole orchards in the neighborhood of Philadel-
phia and surrounding country.

The disease was first noticed about the year 1800. The
tree, when in good condition, always productive to excess,
began to decline. The impoverished soil was no longer able
to sustain healthy growth; the energies of the tree fast de-
clined, and it b< came every year more enfeebled and subject
to disease and decay. The progress of the disease was now
constant and speedy wherever it had been cultivated in the
Northern States, induced, it is supposed, by the farmers taking
up the idea that the fruit south of them was the best ; pro-
curing imperfect and diseased geeds from the Philadelphia and
other markets tainted with the disease. Northwestward, to

THE PEACH. 251

some extent, by the same means it has been disseminated —
but the rich alluvial soils. of that region, has, in a manner,
limited its progress.

Poor, sandy soil, poor cultivation, and overbearing originated
the Yellows, and in order to succeed in the culture of this
fruit, these evils must be remedied. It is particularly impor-
tant, for cultivators in northern latitudes, in order to over-
come this and other difficulties attending an uncongenial
climate, that they should, by careful pruning and culture, and
training where that is necessary, secure their orchards from
the destructive effects of this disease.

Indications of the Yelloivs, by slight observers, has been
confounded with the appearance of the tree produced by the
horer^ as in both cases the decline of the tree and the color
of the foliage is very similar ; also the premature ripening
of the fruit is common in either case. It is not uncommon
for the trees to be attacked by both the disease and the insect,
and the decline of the tree is at once rapid and beyond remedy.

Symptoms. — The Yellows is considered a constitutional
taint, and all intelligent orchardists consider it contagious, and
in accordance with this view, destroy root and branch of all
suspected trees. The following symptoms of infection are
almost infallible.

1. The growth of shoots or twigs on the branches are slen-
der, wiry and almost sapless. The leaves small, thin and
narrow ; very different from healthy foliage. The color of
the leaves are either pale yellow or destitute of color. The
shoots are no longer grown on the extremities of the boughs,
but are protruded from the latent buds on the large branches
and on the principal portions of the stem.

2. The premature ripening of the fruit which occurs from
two to three weeks in advance of the proper season. The
first year of the disease, the fruit grows to nearly its natural
size ; but ripens sooner than usual ; the following season, it
does not attain half that size — or even a fourth of the usual
size, and the color is variable, with specks and large spots of
dark or purplished red. Internally the flesh is deeply colored,
much more than a natural or healthy state, and it is more so
just around the stone.

252 THE PEACH.

It is established beyond a doubt that the Yellows is propa-
gated by budding or grafting — that the stock, whether peach
or almond, is sure to become infected, and is lost — and, that
the seeds of diseased trees produce young trees in which the
Yellows invariably break out.* Even stones from healthy
districts, when grown in infected regions, produce young trees
that soon fall a prey to this disease. The same happens also
when the peach is budded on the plum or apricot.

Remedy for the Yelloivs. It is confidently believed that
with proper attention and care this very formidable malady
may be easily remedied. The process is as follows :

1. We should exterminate every tree^ both root and branch,
that has the Yellows. No other tree should be planted in the
same place for several years thereafter, unless a thorough
removal of the soil is effected.

2. Great care should be taken to obtain stones for planting
from perfectly healthy trees ; or, buds that are known to be
healthy. Nurserymen and farmers in districts liable to the
Yellows should use the utmost care to procure from places
known to be entirely exempt from the disease.

3. To use every effort to preserve the trees in a vigorous
and healthy state ; and, in doing this we should, from the
Urst hearing year^ practice the shortening-in system of
pruning, which we have already described. It will certainly
secure the trees from over-bearing and all its disastrous con-
g'equences, and preserve them in proper vigor, health, and
productiveness for many years. In a word, it will certainly
and effectually prevent the Yellows where it does not already
exist in the tree, and improve the size and quality of the fruit
to an extent almost incredible.

Independent of the Yellows, says a writer in a standard
work on pomology, '' The effect of shortening the shoots of
the peach is not merely to throw more sap and juice into the
fruit, but to add vigor and health to the tree generally, by

*The yellow variety of the peach are much more liable to this disease than any others.
It is well known that they produce the heaviest crops, and are liable to ovrr-liear, which
greatly reduces their vigor— and the greatest number of victims are always to be found
among the yellow-fleshed peaches.

THE PEACH. 253

increasing the power of the roots relatively to the branches."^
The peach being a short-lived tree, it has been justly remark-
ed, were it allowed to expend all its accumulated sap every
year, it would soon exhaust itself and die of old age."

Will any farmer fail to save his trees from this malignant
disease, when it costs so little labor to do so, and, when the
reward in 'fine luscious fruit is so tempting and valuable ?

*Another good author asserts that " the decay of the peach
tree, is, in a great measure, owing to the practice of grafting,
whereby an imperfect union takes place ; sickly growth is
the consequence, and the diseased tree is then rendered vul-
nerable to the attacks of the worm, which completes its destruc-
tion. He recommends strongly the practice of planting out
every year, a row of the seeds of the finest peaches to be
obtained in the market, and pruning them in their places,
until they produce fruit, at which time those of inferior sorts
could be grafted, and others of fine flavor might be permitted
to remain, with the exception of their retaining health and
vigor for many years to come. Peaches of the finest flavor
may be obtained from trees the third year, by planting the
stone without D-raftins; or buddinor."*

The Curled Leaf, or the Curl, is a disease to which the peach
tree is often liable. It generally appears about the first to
the middle of May, or during the early part of Jane. The
leaves curl or twist up, become thickened and swollen with
cavities on the under and reddish protuberances on the upper
side. They remain in this condition some two or three weeks
and then dry up and drop off". They are soon renewed by a
healthy crop of foliage, and no serious damage is sustained
by the tree or its fruit. The malady is caused by Ajjis
Percae, ()r plant lice, that puncture the leaves on the under
side. Those having large orchards would, perhaps, not find
it profitable to trouble themselves about the extermination of
these minute insects, but in small lots or gardens it is well to

*NoTE. — Varieties iu this way maj* be obtained, true to their kind, that wUl be of the
finest quality, and being natives, are not so tender — and their duration -ndll far exceed
that of the finest budded varieties, and exceed them both in hardiness of tree and fruit,
thereby avoiding the trouble and delay incident to budding.

254 THE PEACH.

do SO, as the appearance of the infected trees is unsightly
and disfignred for several weeks.

Remedies. — A mixture of soft soap and water (the com-
mon strong domestic soap) with tobacco stems boiled with it,
and applied to the foliage and branches from the under side
with a large syringe or garden engine, will soon rid the trees
of these insects for the current year at least. If it is done
when the leaves are about half grown, it will be seldom ne-
cessary to repeat the application. There are other remedies,
but as this is cheap, simple and effectual, we deem it unneces-
sary to insert them.

INJURIOUS INSECTS.

We consider it a highly important matter to direct the at-
tention of our farmers to the study of Entomology. We
should carefully consult authorities and study and digest
whatever we can find touching on this subject, as the injuries
arising from the depredations of insects, both to grain and
fruits, are incalculable. By studying their habits we learn
how to combat them, and ascertain the stages when they are
most vulnerable, and the most reliable for their extermination.

Insects rarely attack the most healthy and vigorous trees ;
hence the importance of eifort to keep fruit trees in the most
thriving state. The black louse, embodied in the rough hark
of neglected trees, lays her eggs, and covers them until
hatched, then removes to another place and repeats the pro-
cess. The grain lice are attended by ants, which seem to
milk them, living upon a sweet substance exuding from them.
Insects are often destroyed by other insects, or insects that
breed within them are their constant enemy and our friend
and helpers.

The Peach Borer or Peach Worm for many years has
been the great trouble in peach culture. Its habits, however,
at this time are so well understood, that it is not difficult to
rid ourselves of this heretofore formidable enemy. Before
the appearance of the borer,, the most delicious and perfect
peaches were raised in the Atlantic States almost without

THE PEACH. 255

culture. It was only necessary to plant a stone of any chance
seedling, and in the third or fourth year, in due season, with-
out farther trouble, the exquisite blushing peach would charm
the sight and be ready to drop into the hand or mouth of the
passer-by. The fine grafted varieties were equally a success,
and no blighting insect ever dared to tap the soft cheeked
fruit or pulpy root of the luxuriant peach. But in the course
of time this happy primitive condition of the tree became
sadly changed. The Yellows and the Borer were gradu-
ally troublesome and fatally prevalent. The cereal crops
w^ere allowed to steal away the legitimate and proper food
from the trees. Starvation was common, and the two dis-
tinctive enemies just mentioned rioted unmolested in our finest
orchards. Thanks, however, to the care and skill of modern
culture and the science of entomology, we can with ease over-
come both these great troubles, and the peach tree may re-
sume its natural luxuriance and vigor and attain its primeval
perfection.

The Borer is a voracious intruder that we can manao;e
without difficulty. He does great mischief by girdling and
devouring the whole circle of bark just below the surface of
the ground, causing the tree to soon languish and die. The
symptoms are very similar to that of the Yellows ; but the
true condition can be readily known by examining the crow^n
of the root, where the castings and gum of his operations are
unmistakable evidence of his presence.

This insect, in a jyerfect state, somewhat resembles a wasp.
It is a slender, dark blue, four- winged moth. The body of
the male and female is mostly of a steel-blue color. The
wings of the male are transparent, bordered and mixed with
the same blue color. The fore wings of the female are blue
and opaque — the hind wings similar to those of the male,
making considerable diff'erence in the appearance of the
sexes. During the Summer, the eggs, which are of a dingy
wiiite and scarcely perceptible, are laid on the tree at or near
the surface of the ground in little punctions covered with
greenish slime. In a few^ days, they hatch and become small
white borers or grubs; they are very tiny and slender at first

256

THE PEACH.

and resemble the asearides of the human body. They soon
grow three-fourths of an inch in length, with a dark brown
head, girdling and devouring the bark and tender sap-wood
all the time of their growth. In tlie worm or grub state, it
has six scaly and ten fleshy legs. It goes through its trans-
formations within a year, though worms of two or three sizes
may be found at almost any season. When fall grown, the
worm spins for itself a follicle of silk mixed with gum and
excrement or castings, and in due time issues a moth. As it
is so well known in this last state, the annexed figure repre-
sents the male and female moths:

Male,

Pkach Worm.

Female.

They commence issuing as moths in central A^irginia about
the last of June to the middle of July, and sometimes earlier
or later. They do not always confine themselves to the
peach, but attack the plum tree, and the result is equally
fatal. The signs of its presence, however, are different, as it
causes no exudation of gum in this as it does in the peach
tree.

Remedies. — The great modern remedy for the peach borer
in the West, is communicated to the " Western RuraV by
Mr. B. PuUen, of Centralia, Illinois. It is as follows: "As
Spring will soon be upon us, i wish to add my testimony in
favor of the 'Banking System' as a preventive against the
attacks of the peach borer. As to its efficacy there can be
no doubt. I have practiced it for four years with complete
success. I Avould not advise its adoption until after the trees
are four years old.* During the most of this period the bark

* After scalding or cutting out the borers, trees two or three years old should receive the
benefit of mounding. The mounds neei be only five or six inches high. For such trees
clay or fine dirt should be used. Be sure to leave no borer in the tree, as the signs of
his presence are not visible at the root after the mounding.

THE PEACH. 257

is tender, and the trees are liable to be girdled by even a
single worm. Safety lies only in personal examination and
removal with the knife, in Fall and Spring (September and
April). In April of the fourth year, bank up to the height of
from ten to twelve inches, pressing the iWvt firmly around the
tree. A little dirt should be added each successive Spring.
It is not only a preventive, but a great saving of labor."
(We think for trees four or five years old, mounds from eight
to ten inches high, or of the size of tobacco or sweet potato
hills, are quite sufficient to prevent the deposit of eggs near
the tender part of the crown of the roots — above that, the
tree is not vulnerable).

This banking system is practiced (near Cincinnati, Ohio)
by E. A. Thompson and others to an extent that most farm-
ers would hardly undertake. They cut back their trees when
one year planted. They plant their trees in the Fall, and in
the Spring following, cut them back to six inches above the
bud. The tree then, instead of having one body, has seve-
ral— from three to six. The second summer, they plow both
ways, taming the furrows towards the trees. The men fol-
low with shovels, throwing the loose soil around the trees to
the height of about one foot. In the Fall, the trees are again
cut back, taking oif about one-third of the year's growth.
The next Spring or Summer the same method is pursued,
which raises the mound about one foot higher ; then cut back
in the Fall, and the third Summer repeat the process, raising
the mound another foot, which finishes the job. The mound
will then be about three feet high at its apex and six feet in
diameter at its base. The mounding may be done in the
Fall, when the hurry is over. The dirt is never taken away
from the trees — in fact, it cannot be removed without injury
to the tree, for the young rootlets each year keep climbing
up through this mound and form a mass of healthy roots.
Now for the benefits: First, they have no trouble with the
grub, or borer ; he must have air and light, and the mound is
too much for him ; he comes out and that is the last of him.
They never worm their trees or hunt for the borer, and more
healthy or thrifty orchards than theirs cannot be found.
18

258 THE PEACH.

The magnitude of these mounds will be an objection with
most farmers, although Mr. Thompson says "one man can
mound fifty trees in one day." But there are three mound-
ing periods, and of course three days required to complete
the work. Nothing is said about the result, in the way of
fruit, of this repeated cutting back of the several bodies,
brought into existence by the first cutting of "six inches
above the bud." We think there are other remedies equally
sure, and rather more eligible, that will not require one hour
to practice on fifty trees ; and, besides, in the course of a few
years the bark of the tree from the apex of the mound to the
roots ("which keep climbing up and spreading every year")
would become pulpy and tender, and the *borer would re-
appear and find a lodging as comfortable as before any
mounding.

Whilst on the subject of Avounds, we have found by experiment
that half a peck of pulverized clay, or even common soil,
closely packed around the butt of the trees, from one to five
years old, in the spring, and kept close to the hark during
tilage f and well rounded up in the fall, will generally ex-
clude all borers from the crown of the roots. It is best and
safest, however, to examine and cut out all borers that may
be already at work, or, which would be better, scald them
with hot water or soap suds, which will destroy the eggs of
the moth, should there be any. This is a very simple, cheap,
and effectual remedy and we canVecommend it with confidence
as all that is necessary to prevent the female moth from the
desired access to the roots ; or, if eggs are already deposited,
they are by this means completely destroyed.

TJie Virginia Remedy, (Allan and Johnson.) — "Examine
the roots of the trees every autumn, and destroy all worms

*For a complete and lengthened history of thia insect, so familiar with the peach
grower, we refer the reader to Dr. Fitch's most excellent reports ; also to some of the
numbers of the Practical Entomologist, Philadelphia,

t After the trees have been worked and mounded, it frequently happens that small
trees, in swaying to and fro by the winds, make a space between the apex of the wound
and the stem of the tree, and a few cracks in the soil or clay about the roots near the
stem. Th(.se should be filled up as often-as they occur with sand or fine soil or clay, or
pressed close with the foot,as they are very convenient crevices for the fly that pro-
duces the borer to deposit her eggs.

THE PEACH. 259

that may harbor there. Lay bare the top of the roots around
the neck of the tree, and leave them exposed during the win-
ter to the frost, which w^ill destroy the eggs of the moth ;
then in the spring, threw around each tree one or two shovels
full of red or blue clay." Experience has also proved most
conclusively that if about half a peck of air-slacked lime be heaped
around the trunk of each tree, or the same amount of leached
ashes, by the middle of May, and suffered to remain until the
middle of October, the peach borer will not attack it.
By this means the most vulnerable portion of the tree is covered
and protected from the attack of the insect, and large orch-
ards have remained safe and secure, while unprotected trees
have been speedily destroyed. Air-slacked lime and wood_
ashes have been recommended, because these fully answer the
purpose as protectives, and w^hen spread over the surface, as
they should be every autumn, they form the best fertilizers
for the peach tree. Charcoal, clay, mortar, &c., have been
used with nearly equal success as preventives, and applied in
the same w^ay. Some orchardists prefer the knife. They
give the trees a regular examination spring and autumn.
The earth is removed for a few inches just around the large
part or crown of the roots. The presence of the borer is
known by the gum or castings surrounding his lodging — follow
him up with the point of the knife and he can be eradicated in
a few^ moments without material injury to the tree. This is a
very effectual mode, but not so safe as some others, because,
the tree is always left exposed to attack and injury until the
insect is again dislodged.

Those who raise tobacco can protect their trees, if the borer
is not already in, by laying tobacco stems or refuse tobacco
about the trunk of the trees in the Spring and Fall.

Black walnut hulls, or rinds, will completely protect the
trees if used in the same way, as no insect can exist where
they are kept mounded around the stems of the trees. From
a peck to two pecks according to the size of the tree is suffi-
cient.

The Scalding Remedy. — Of all the applications yet pre-
scribed for the extermination of the borer in all its stages and

260 THE PEACH.

conditions, the most convenient, elegant and effective, is hot
fluid — soap suds, or hot water. By this means the eggs are
destroyed at once and in a moment, and without the least
detriment to the trees, whether they be young or old.

For gardens or small orchards, use a large tea-kettle and
pot — keep the latter constantly in a boiling state, and use
the kettle to apply the fluid. For a few trees onh- the kettle
is sufficient — for extensive orchards more vessels and larger
may be established. Prepare a wooden paddle or spadula
with a sharp angular point, or basil of any hard wood. With
this, scrape from two to three inches of the dirt from around
the crown of the roots, clearing away all the gum and cast-
ings at the same time. The cavity thus formed will contain
from a pint to four pints of fluid, a cording to the size of the
tree. With your kettle, pour around each tree the scalding
fluid as hot as you please — if boiling hot, it does not injure the
trees. As it subsides, return the soil to the roots with the
spadula. Pour a little of the fluid on the gum and castings
which must be kept in a heap for this purpose, as these
may contain small worms and eggs. The operation may be
performed at any time, but the Spring, and again in the
Fall, if the insect should be found, is the proper time. April
and September are suitable for this purpose. It would be well
to examine the trees occasionally during the Summer, and if
any borers are found, give such trees the benefit of the hot
fluid. This operation is so simple and cheap, of course no
careful farmer or gardener will neglect it.

Leaf-hoppers {Thrips) and Plant Lice (Aphides). — The
same remedies are used for both. Syringe them from the
underside as well as on the top of the leaves and branches
with strong soap suds infused with rubbish tobacco — or dust
the leaves once or twice with strong wood or soot ashes.

Mr. Leor, of Mo., says, that plant or bark lice, may be
easily destroyed by scrubbing the trees and applying soap suds
and the lye of wood ashes.

THE PEACH. 261

The Curculio {''Little TwrA:. ")— Next
to the borer this is the most formidable ene-
my to peach culture. He prefers the plum
and other smooth skin stone fruits, but -when
these cannot be found, the peach is his victim.
The State Entomologist of Mo., (Mr. C.
V. Riley) gives a very satisfactory account
Magnified wkeviu of this " pcrnicious little scamp." We in-
sert a few extracts from his first annual report, (1868). (How
much to our advantage would it be if our farmers were better
posted in Entomology. If we were, or would be true to our
own interest in this regard, the produce of the fields, as well
as the orchards, would be greatly increased in both quantity
and quality; and a little of this useful knowledge, which is
within the reach of all, would be a saving or addition of many
millions in the productions of the countr}^)

"It is the business of the Entomologist to teach the farmer
and the fruit-grower, hoAv he may prevent the ravages of in-
sects, or the destruction of his crops ; how to distinguish be-
tween insect friend and insect fo'e ; hoAV to foster the one and
destroy the other, before the latter has sufficiently developed
to do damage. He is to show up any depredator whose pres-
ence the casual observer can only judge by the damage he
does ; he is to make us familiar with the general appearance
of insect friends or foes, in all their changes, and inform us in
what guise they do the most damage — for it is a well known
fact that, while some, perhaps most, insects do damage in the
larva state, like the codling moth, or the potato beetle — others,
like thq grass-hoppers or chinch-bug, do most damage as per-
fect insects.

The curculio is the dreaded enemy to the growers of all
stone fruit. Mr. Ripley observes : " Although so much has
been written about it, I find it necessary to devote a few pages
to its consideration, since some of the points in its natural
history are not entirely and satisfactorily settled even yet.
There is, in fact, conflicting evidence from different authors as
to whether it is single or double brooded each year, and as to
whether it hybernates principally in the perfect beetle state

262 THE PEACH.

above ground, or in the preparatory state below ground ; the
very earliest accounts that we have of the plum curculio, in
this country, differing on these points. Thus it was believed
by Dr. James Tilton, of Wilmington, Delaware, who wrote
at the very beginning of the present century, and by Dr.
Joel Burnett, of Southborough, and M. TI. Simpson, of Sax-
on ville, Ms., who wrote interesting articles on this subject,
about fifty years afterwards ; that it passed the winter in the
larvae or grub state under ground, and Harris seems to have
held the same opinion. But Dr. E. Sanbom, of Andover, Ms., in
some interesting articles published in 1849 and 1850, gave as
his conviction that it hybernates in the beetle state above
ground. Dr.. Fitch, of New York, came to the conclusion
that it is two brooded, the second brood wintering in the larvae
state in the twigs of pear trees ; while Dr. Trimble, of New
Jersey, who devoted the greater part of a large and expensive
work to its consideration, decided that it is single brooded,
and that it hibernates in the beetle form above ground. Since
the writings of Harris and Fitch, and since the publication of
Dr. Trimble's work, there have been other papers published
on the subject. The first of these was a tolerably exhaustive
article, by Mr. Walsh, which appeared in the Practical En-
tomologist^ (Vol. II, No. 7), in which he takes the grounds
that the curculio is single brooded ; though subsequently he
came to the very different conclusion that it was double brood-
ed. (First Annual Report, p. 67.) In the Summer of 1867,
I spent between two and three weeks' in Southern Illinois,
during the height of the curculio season, and closely watched
its manoeuvrings. From the fact that there was a short period
about the middle of July, when scarcely any could be caught
from the trees, and that after a warm shower they were quite
numerous, having evidently just come out of the ground, I
concluded it was double brooded, and communicated to the
Prairie Farmer of July 27th, 1867, th^ passage to that effect
under the signature of "V," which is quoted by Mr. Walsh,
(Rep., p. 67,) as corroborative of its two brooded character.
Subsequent calculations induced me to change my mind, and
I afterwards gave it as my opionion that there was but one

THE PEACH. 263

main brood during the year, and that where a second genera-
tion was produced, it was the exception, (Frans. Ills. State
Hort. Soc, 1867, p. 113.) Finally, Dr. E. S. Hull, of Alton,
Illinois, who has vast personal experience with this insect,
read a most valuable essay on the subject before the meeting
of the Alton (Ills.) Horticultural Society, of March, 1868, in
which he evidently concludes, they are single brooded, and
that they pass the winter, for the most part, in the prepara-
tory states, under ground.

Now, why is it that persons, who, it must be admitted, were
all capable of correct observation, have differed so much on
these most interesting points in the economy of our plum cur-
culio ? Is there any explanation of these contradictory state-
ments ? I think there is, and that the great difficulty in the
study of this as well as many other insects, lies in the fact
w^e are all too apt to generalize. We are too apt to draw dis-
tinct lines, and to create rules which never existed in nature :
to suppose that if a few insects which we chance to watch are
not single brooded, therefore the species must of necessity be
double brooded. We forget that curculios are not all hatched
in one day, and from analogy are apt to underrate the dura-
tion of the life of the curculio in the perfect beetle state.
Besides, what was the exception one year, may become the
rule the year following. In breeding butterflies and moths,
individuals hatched from one and the same batch of eggs on
the same day, will frequently, some of them, perfect them-
selves and issue in the Fall, while others will pass the winter
in the perfect state, and not issue until the Spring ; and in
case of. a green worm that is found on raspberry leaves, and
which passes the winter under ground, and develops into a
four winged fly {Selandria ruhi of my manuscript) in the
Spring ; I have known a diff'erence of three months to occur
between the issuing of the first and last individuals of the
same brood, all the larvae of which had entered the ground
within three days. It is also a well recorded fact, both iu this
country and in Europe, that in 1868, owing probably to the
unusual heat and drouth of the Summer, very many insects
which are well known to usually pass the Winter in the im-

264

THE PEACH.

perfect state, perfected themselves in the Fall, and in some
instances produced a second brood of larvae. Far be it from
me to pronounce there is no such thing as rule in nature, and
that we cannot, therefore, generalize ; I simply assert that we
frequently draw our lines too rigidly, and endeavor to make
the facts come within them, instead of loosenina; and allowing
them to encompass the facts. It was thus that the joint worm
fly was for so long a time suspected to be a parasite instead of
a tree culprit, because all the other species in the genus
{Eurytoma), to which it was supposed to belong, were known
to be the parasite. For those<
who are unacquainted with the
appearance of the plum curcu-
Ho, in its different stages, I
have prepared, at figure 18,
correct and magnified portraits
of the full grown larvce (a) of
the pupa (b) into which the
larvge is transformed within a
little cavity under ground, and
of the perfect curculio, (c).

With this prelude I will now give what I believe to be
facts in its natural history, founded on my own observations
of the past year, and on the observations of others. I firmly
believe :

1. That plum curculios are a most unmitigated nuisance,
and, though most beautiful objects under the microscope, the
fruit growers of the United States, if they had their own way
about the matter, would wish them swept from off the face of
the earth, at the rate even of interfering with the "harmony
of nature."

2. That they are more numerous in timbered regions than
on the prairie.

3. That they can fly and do fly during the heat of the day,
and that cotton bandages around the trunk, and all like con-
trivances to prevent their ascending the trees, are worse than
useless, and a result only of ignorance of their economy.

4. That by its punctures it causes the dreaded peach-rot

FIGURE 18.

THE PEACH. 265

to spread, whenever that disease is prevalent, though it cannot
possibly be the first cause of the disease. The peach-rot is
now pretty generally acknowledged to be a contagious dis-
ease, of a fungoid nature, and I believe that the spores of
this fungus, "a million of which might be put upon the point
of a stick whittled down to nothing," attach thomselves more
readily to fruit which has the skin abraded, and from which
the gum issues, than to whole or unpunctured fruit. \Yith
this belief I made some effort to procure, for the benefit of
my readers, a synopsis of the growth of this fungus ; but,
alas! I find that nothing but confusion exists with regard to
it. Upon applying to my friend, Dr. T. C. Hilyard, of St.
Louis — 1 recognized authority on such subjects — he furnished
me with the article Avhich may be found in the Journal of
Agriculture of January 16th, 1869. I most respectfully de-
cline<l publishing it in these pnges, knowing that the reader
would not be likely to understand what was either too pro^
found or too befogged for my own comprehension, and those
who require a synopsis of this fungus are referred to that ar-
ticle. Verily, we must conclude that peach-rot is not yet
much understood, if a more clear exposition of it cannot be
given.

5. That they prefer smooth-skinned to rough-skinned fruit.

6. That up to the present time the Miner and other varie-
ties of the Chickasaw plum have been almost entirely exempt
from their attacks, and that in the Columbia the young larvoe
are usually drowned out before maturing.

7. That they deposit and mature in nectarines, plums, apri-
cots, cherries and peaches; in black knot on plum trees, and
in some kinds of apples, pears and quinces; and, according
to Dr. Hull, they also deposit but do not mature in strawber-
ries, gooseberries, grapes and in the vigorous shoots of the
peach tree.

8. That it is their normal habit to transform under ground,
though some few undergo their transformations in the fruit.

9. That the cherry, when infested, remains on the tree,
with the exception of the English Morello, which matures
and then separates from the stem; but that all other fruits.

266 THE PEACH.

when containing larv?e, usually fall to the ground. In the
larger fruits, four or five larvae may sometimes be found in a
single specimen, and I have taken five full grown larvge from
a peach that had evidently fallen and laid on the ground for
over a week.

10. That the greater portion of them pass the Winter in
the perfect beetle state, under the old bark of both forest and
fruit trees, under shingles, logs, and in rubbish of all kinds,
and especially in the underbrush of the woods.

11. That they are always most numerous in the early part
of the season on the outside of those orchards that are sur-
rounded by timber, and that they frequently shelter in apple
trees and other trees before the stone fruit forms.

12. That a certain portion of them also pass the Winter
under ground, both in the larvae and pupa states, at a depth
frequently of from two to three feet.

13. That those that hybernate as beetles begin to leave
their Winter quarters and to enter our orchards, throughout
central Missouri, during the first days of ^lay, and com-
mence to puncture the fruit about the middle of the same
month — a little earlier or later, according to the season — the
fruit of the peach being at the time about the size of a small
marble.

14. That those which hybernate under ground continue to
develop, and to issue from the earth during the whole month
of May.

15. That both males and females puncture the fruit for
food, by gouging liemispherical holes, but that the female
alone make the well known crescent-shaped mark (see figure
18, a) as a nidus for her egg.

16. That the egg is deposited in the following manner, the
whole process requiring about five minutes: Having taken a
strong hold on the fruit (see figure 18 d), the female makes a
minute cut with the jaws, which are at the end of her snout,
just through the skin of the fruit, and then runs the snout
under the skin to the depth of one-sixteenth of an inch, and
moves it back and forth until, the cavity is large enough to
receive the egg it is to retain. She next changes her posi-

THE PEACH. 267

tion, and drops an egg into the mouth of the cut; then, veer-
ing around again, she pushes it by means of her snout to the
end of the passage, and afterwards cuts the crescent in front
of the hole so as to undermine the egg and leave it in a sort
of a flap; her object apparently being to deaden this flap so
as to prevent the growing fruit from crushing the egg, though
Dr. Hall informs me that he has regularly removed the insect
as soon as the egg was deposited and before the flap was
made, and the egg hatched and the young penetrated the
fruit in every instance.

17. That the egg is oval, of a pearl-white color, large
enough to be seen with the naked eye, requires a tempera-
ture of at least 70° Fahr. to hatch it, and may be crushed
with the finger-nail without injuring the fruit.

18. That the stock of eggs of one female consists of from
50 to 100; that she deposits from 5 to 10 a day, her activity
varying with the temperature.

19. That the last of those curculios which hybernated in
the imperfect state under ground, have not finished depositing
till the end of June and beginning of July, or about the time
that the new brood developed from the first laid eggs of the
season are beginning to issue from the ground; and that we
thus have them in the month of June in every conceivable
state of existence from the egg to the perfect insect.

20. That the period of the egg depositing thus extends
over two months.

21. That all eggs deposited before the first of July gene-
rally develop and produce curculios the same season, which
issue from the ground during July, August and September,
and hybernate in the perfect state.

22. That most of those which hatch after the first of July,
either fail to hatch, or the young larvae die soon after hatch-
ing, owing, perhaps, to the more ripe and juicy state of the
fruit, being less congenial to them ; and that what few do ma-
ture, which hatch after this date, undergo their transforma-
tions more slowly than the rest, and pass the Winter in the
ground.

23. That the perfect curculio while in the ground is soft

268 THE PEACH.

and of a uniform red color; that it remains in this state an
indefinite period, dependent on the weather, usually prefer-
ring to issue after a warm rain.

24. That in a stiff clay soil a severe drought will kill many
of them while in this last named condition, and that larvae
contained in stone fruits that fall upon naked plowed ground
where the sun can strike them, generally die.

"This catalogue might be lengthened, but already embraces
all the more important facts, and I think they sufficiently
prove that the curculio is single brooded. There is, it is
true, no particular reason why the earliest developed curcu-
lios, or those which issue from the ground during the fore
part of July, should not pair and deposit its eggs again,
other than it does not appear to be their nature to do so.
Such an occurrence is by no means an isolated one in insect
life; and aside from the fact that late fruit is almost entirely
exempt from them, we have the experiments of Dr. Trimble,
which indicate that they have to pass tlirough the Winter be-
fore being able to reproduce their kind."

Next, Mr. R. gives a list of the cannibal insects that de-
stroy the curculio, which we omit, although valuable. Among
the natural remedies, he says a few words in favor of hogs as
curculio destroyers, "Abundant proof might be adduced of
their utility in an orchard, especially during the first season,
but I will mention only the case of Messrs. Winters Bros., of
Du Quain, Illinois. These gentlemen, for the past five years,
have kept a large drove of hogs in their extensive peach or-
chard, and have been remarkably exempt from the attacks of
the 'Little Turk: While at their place last Fall, I noticed
that all the trees were banked up with earth to the height of
over a foot, which prevented the hogs from injuring the
trunks. They have never had occasion to shake their trees,
and consider one hog to the acre sufficient to devour all the
fallen fruit, the hogs being fed only during the Winter. The
efficacy of this hog remedy depends a great deal on how one's
orchard is isolated from those of others, for it is very evident
that it will avail but little for- one farmer to destroy all his
curculio, while his neighbors are breeding them by thousands,

THE PEACH. 269

SO that thsj can fly in upon him another year. Thej would
also be of but little service in the case of the cherry, as it
remains on the tree when stung. Poultry will be found very
valuable in an orchard, as they also destroy the grubs that
fall with the fruit.

Artificial Remedies. — Of the hundreds of patent nos-
trums, and of the dozens of washes and solutions that have
been recommended as curculio preventatives or destroyers,
there is scarcely one which is worth the time required to speak
of it. Air-slacked lime thrown on the trees after the fruit is
formed, is effectual in a certain measure, for though it does
not deter the female from depositing her eggs, yet so long as
the weather is wet, its caustic properties seem to be imparted
to the water and enter the cavity and destroy the egg. But
it has no good effect in dry weather. An article went the
rounds of the papers last Summer to the effect that Mr. P.
E. Rust, of Covington, Ky., had tried burning tobacco stems
with perfect success ! But a letter of enquiry which I ad-
dressed that gentleman was never answered, although it con-
tained the requisite 3 cent postage stamp, and the tobacco
remedy may be placed beside the gas tar and coal tar reme-
dies, which have proved utterly useless. After all, as Dr.
Hull suggests, the success so reported of these remedies, take
its origin from insufficient experiment, by persons who are
little aware of the casualties to which the curculio is subject,
and who, after they happen to get fruit after applying some
particular mixture, immediately jump to the conclusion that it
was on account of such mixture.

" It may, therefore, be laid down as a maxim, that the only
effectual and scientific mode of fighting the curculio, aside
from that of picking up the fallen fruit, is by taking advan-
tage of its peculiar instinct which on the approach of danger
prompts it to fall ; or in other words to catch it by jarring
the trees. The most effectual method of doing this on a large
scale is by means of Dr. Hull's "curculio catcher," and we
give a description of it in the Doctor's own words :

" To make a curculio catcher, we first obtain a light wheel,
not to exceed three feet in diameter, the axletree of which

270 THE PEACH.

should be about ten inches long. We next construct a pair
of handles, similar to those of a wheelbarrow, but much more
depressed at the point designed to receive the bearings of the
axletree, and extending forward of the wheel just far enough
to admit a cross-beam to connect the handles at this point;
one-and-a-half inches in rear of the wheel, a second cross-
beam is framed into the handles, and eighteen to twenty-four
inches farther back, a third. The two last named cross-
beams have framed to their under-sides, a fourth piece, cen-
trally, between the handles, and pointing in the direction of
the wheel. To the handles and to the three last named pieces,
the arms or ribs to support the canvass are to be fastened.
To the front part of the beam connecting the handles in front
of the wheel, the ram is attached; this should be covered
with leather stuffed with furniture moss, a dozen or more
thicknesses of old hat, leather or other substance, being care-
ful to use no more than necessary to protect the tree from
bruising. Ascertain the elevation the handles should have
in driving, and support them in that position. We now put
in place the stockers, or arms, six for each side, which are to
receive and support the canvass. We put the front arms in
position. These extend back to near the centre of the wheel
on each side, and in front of the wheel (for large machines),
say six feet, and f^ir enough apart to receive the largest tree
between them on which it is to operate. The remaining arms
are supported on the handles, and fastened to them and to
the two cross and parallel pieces in rear of the wheel. These
are so placed as to divide the space at their outer ends equally
between them and the first mentioned stretchers and fastened
to the ends of the handles. Next, we have ready a strip of
half-inch board two and a half wide. One end of this is se-
cured to the forward end of one of the front arms, and in
like manner to all the others on one side of the machine, and
fastened to the bundles. Both sides are made alike. The
office of these strips is to hold the outside ends of the arms
in position; they also prevent the front arms from closing.
These outside strips also receive the outside edge of the can-
vass, which is fastened to them as well as to the several arm
supports.

THE PEACH. 271

" It will be seen that the wheel is nearly in the centre of
the machine. To cover the opening at this point, a frame is
raised over it, which is also covered with canvass The arms,
or stretchers, are so covered that the motion of the machine,
in moving from one tree to another, should bring everything
falling on the canvass to depressed points, one on each side
of the wheel, where openings are made into funnels emptyino-
into pockets or bags, for the reception of insects and fallen
fruit. The whole machine should not exceed ten or eleven
feet in breadth, by twelve or thirteen in length. These are
for large orchard trees; smaller ones could be protected by
a much smaller machine. If the frame work has been pro-
perly balanced, the machine will require but little lifting and
will be nearly propelled by its own weight.

"This curculio catcher, or machine, is run against the tree
three or four times, with sufficient force to impart a decided
jarring moiion to all its parts. The operator then backs far
enough to bring the machine to the centre of the space be-
tween the rows, turns round and in like manner buts the tree
in the opposite row. In this way, a man may operate on
three hundred trees per hour."

To run this machine successfully three things are necessary :
1st. That the land be decently clean, and not over grown with
rank weeds. 2nd. That the orchard be sufficiently larore to
pay the interest on the prime cost of the machine — about $30.
3rd. That the trees have a clean trunk of some three or four
feet. I find various modifications of this machine, both in
our own State and Southern Illinois, and in some instances
they have been abandoned entirely on account of the injury
caused to the trees from the repeated bloAvs given to the trunk.
In small orchards it will be found most profitable to drive a
spike into the trunk of each tree and to use two sheets stretch-
ed on frames, which can both be dragged or carried and placed
in position by one man, while a second person gently taps the
the iron spike * with a mallet. To bring down the curculio,

* A word in regard to the '' iroa spike"— the use of which it seems to us would do far
more injury to; the tree than ihe butting of Dr. HulPs machine, well " padded with old
hat." Why not riven a spike in a curved block of wood, well padded with old hat, and
let the operator hold this against the trunk with one hand and give the sudden lap with
the mallet on the broad-head of the spike with the other hand ?

272 THE PEACH.

it requires a light sudden tap, which jars, rather than a blow
which shakes, and if the frames are made so as to fold in the
middle, it will facilitate disposing of those insects which fall
upon it.

In conclusion, the intelligent fruit-grower can draw many a
lesson from this account of the curculio — already somewhat
lengthy. Thus in planting a new orchard with timber sur-
rounding, the less valuable varieties should be planted on the
outside, and as the little rascals congregate on them from the
neighboring woods in the early part of the season they should
be fought persistently. It will also pay to thin out all fruit
that is within easy reach; while, whenever it is practical,
all rubbish and under-brush should be burnt during the
Winter, whereby many, yes very many of them, will be
destroyed in their winter quarters. As a proof of the value
of this measure when it is feasible, I will state that while the
peach crop of Southern Illinois was almost an entire failure
in 1868, Messrs Knowles k Co., of Macanda, shipped over
nine thousand boxes, (9000). Though they had a few hogs
in the orchard, these were not enough to do any material good,
and they think they owe their crop to the fact of having
cleared and burnt 100 acres surrounding the orchard, in the
early Spring of that year ; for, in 1867 curculios had been
very bad with them. Judge Kimble, who lives 4 miles north-
east of Cobden, also had a good crop free from their marks,
which he attributes to having burnt around the orchard in the
Spring of the year."

Having all these measures for defence and protection within
our reach against the only two insect enemies of any note
that disturbs the peach tree and its splendid fruit, we can
very well afford to use some of them to insure remuneration
and profit in its culture. It is very obvious that the peach,
is, not only the most delicious and wholesome, but the most
valuable and saleable fruit that can possibly be raised in the
temperate regions of the South — taking into consideration the
ease and small amount of labor required in its cultivation.

THE PEACH. 273

PEACH FAMILY— Catalogue of Varieties *

It is not our purpose to perplex and bewilder the cultivator
of this esteemed fruit with the long lists which some authors
and nurserymen inflict on those who wish to engage in peach
culture. Our aim is to be really useful, by recommending
only those varieties whose fine qualities are well known and
appreciated, whether new or old. There can be no real ad-
vantage secured by choosing to cultivate a great many sorts,
from good to bad, merely for the purpose of display or cu-
riosity. Short lists and fine fruit should be our motto.

American peaches, when cultivated in England, for want
of dry atmosphere, sun and heat, generally prove second rate
in that country, and will not ripen at all unless under glass,
or indifferently b}^ the side of walls. It is also believed that
many of the best European varieties are much finer here than
in Engla.id, or even in their native soil. In the various lists
which we have prepared for this work, some choice European
varieties are included. We have done this, because several
standard authors think such selection will improve our Ameri-
can collection by introducing their high qualities. They be-
lieve some of them to be purer and healthier in constitution
than many of our native kinds. But, as a general thing, it
is admitted that our best native varieties are far superior in
every respect to those of European or foreign origin.

In describing peaches, the similarity of varieties is so
nearly identical that writers on this subject have resorted to
their particular characteristics to enable them to distinguish
one from another. The natural classes are, free-stones and
clingstones (melters and pavies), and a small class partaking
of the peculiarities of each — adhering slightly to the stone.

The most notable natural distinction is in the leaves. At
the lower end or base of some kinds, are found small glands,

* As but little Southern fruit has passed the ordeal of Southern Pomological Societies,
the selection, classification and description of both apples and peaches are necessarily
somewhat irregular and defective. This, we hope, will soon be remedied. The great
increase of fruit culture will require the formation of numerous Societies in all parta.
As the value of fruits become better understood and the adaptation , of the various
Southern regions to all the best fruits becomes better known, Pomology will receive
the attention it deserves, in a fine fruit-growing country.

19

274 THE PEACH.

generally round, but sometimes irregular and oblong. The
leaves of other kinds have no glands and are more deeply
notched or serrated on their margins or edges. These differ-
ences in the foliage aid the Pomologist in recognizing the dif-
ferent varieties forming these distinct classes.

1. Leaves serrated without glmids.

2. Leaves serrated with small round glands.

3. Leaves with large, irregular reniform glands.

This distinction in the leaves is useful, as it aids in verify-
ing an opinion, when the fruit is examined, any time when
the foliage can be referred to.

There is a difference also in the blossoim, which is fixed
and invariable, affording marked subdivisions in the varieties
of this fruit. The first has laj^ge flowers, always red in the
centre and pale in the margin. The second has small flow-
ers, tinn^ed with dark at the marorin.

We shall not follow other authors in dividing peaches into
''three different and distinct classes," but shall divide them
into five, and give a short list of varieties composed of each :

1. Free-stone peaches, with ^:>6«Ze flesh.

2. Free-stone peaches, with decj} yellow flesh.

3. Clingstone peaches.

4. Varieties that adhere partially to the stone.

5. Varieties that reproduce the same from the stone.

Class I. — Free-stone Peaches with pale flesh.

1. Morris' White. — Rather large; roundish, inclining to
oval; suture medicinal, small point; white to the stone, seldom
a purple tinge in the sun; flesh white, melting, of a rich
sweet flavor; middle of September. Very popular in warm
regions. Highly prized for preserving.

2. Royal George — (P. 3fag., Lind., Thomp.)

In regard to flavor and beauty, this variety is unsurpassed.
It is one of the finest European peaches, and attains the high-
est favor in this country. It is a regular and moderate bearer,
and is one of those varieties indispensable to every fine or-
chard and garden, ripening directly after the Early York.

This peach should not be confounded with Early Royal

THE PEACH. 275

Geo7'ge^ Bed Magdalen, Smooth Leaved Royal George^ &c.,
of some Northern nurseries, described by Manning, as these
have globose ghmds, and are distinct varieties and not so
high-flavored and rich.

Leaves serrated, with glands. Fruit above the middle size,
globular, broad and depressed, the suture broad and deep at
the top. Skin pale, or white, thickly sprinkled with red
dots, and the cheek of a broad rich, deep red, slightly mar-
bled. Flesh whitish, but very red at the stone, melting,
juicy, very rich, and of the highest flavor. From the 1st to
the 20th of August.

3. Double Montagne — {Downing^ Lirid., Tliomp.)

A high-flavored and beautiful peach, much resembling the
Noblesse. It is of French origin, and is a favorite variety
with English gardeners. We think it one of the finest
peaches of the Middle States. Leaves serrated, without
glands. Fruit of medium size, roundish, but somewhat nar-
rower at the top. Skin pale greenish white, with soft red
cheek, which is marbled with darker red at maturity. Flesh
white to the stone, very delicate and melting. Flowers large.
First of August.

4. Early Tillotson. — Well deserving the high favor in
which it is held.

It is unquestionably one of the most desirable of all the
early free-stone peaches. It ripens in the vicinity of Rich-
mond, from the 15th to 25th of July — full two weeks before
the Early York, or any of the very choice kinds, and only a
few days after the Early Anne. It is much higher flavored
than any peach that ripens previously, or for some days after
it, and as a garden variety is entitled to universal favor.
Fruit medium size ; skin dotted in the shade, dark deep red in the
sun ; flesh whitish, red at the stone, to ivhich it partially ad-
heres ; juicy, rich, high flavored. Leaves serrated, without
glands. Tree hardy, and a great and constant bearer.

5. Early York. — {Serrate Early York.)

This is one of the most popular peaches in this country, and
is one of the very best early orchard varieties ; tree hardy
and very productive ; fruit medium size ; skin greenish white

276 THE PEACH.

dotted with red in the shade, dark red to the sun ; flesh
greenish Avhite, very tender, juicy, rich and excellent. There
are a few seedings raised from this, and bearing the same
name, which are rather more thrifty, but do not possess the
high flavor of the original kind. They are easily known from
it by the absence of glands in the leaves and by the large
flowers of the true sort. Last of July and first of August.

6. Early Anne, — {Doivn. Lind. Thomp.)

The Early Anne is an old and familiar sort. It is the first
peach of any value that ripens. The Red and White nut-
megs being too small, and of indifferent flavor ; and the Early
Anne itself is inferior to the Early Tillotson, but it is a few
days earlier and will be cultivated by all amateurs. The tree
is of slender growth. Leaves serrated, without glands. Fruit
rather small, round ; skin white, with a faint tinge of red next
the sun ; flesh white to the stone, soft, melting, sweet, and of
pleasant flavor ; flowers very large, nearly white. Profitable
for early market.

7. Honey Peach. — A new variety from South Carolina)
where it ripens the last of June. Described as of the finest
quality, and promising to be very saleable as an early market
peach. Oblong, skin yellowish, mottled with red and crim-
son, of a peculiar honeyed sweetness.

8. George the Fourth. — [Down. Floy. Lind. Tliomjj.)
This is the most popular peach for garden culture in .the

United States. It is large, bears regular and abundant crops,
is of the highest flavor, and the tree is unusually hardy and
vigorous, succeeding ivell in all parts of the country. Leaves
large, with globose glands, often obscure. Fruit large, round,
deeply divided by a broad suture, and one half a little larger
than the other. Skin pale, yellowish white, finely dotted with
red, and deepening into a dark red cheek on one side. Flesh
pale, marked with red at the stone, which is small, melting,
very juicy, w^ith a remarkably rich luscious flavor. Middle
of August below and around Richmond, Va.

9. Hales' Early. — A very valuable, extra early peach, of
recent introduction. Tree a v-ery vigorous grower and abun-
dant bearer ; fruit medium size, handsome and well flavored,

THE PEACH. 277

flush white, ripening a week to ten days early than the Troth's
Early. This is now the peach for profitable orchard cul-
ture, where earliness is the object. This Ohio peach is justly
regarded as the very best early variety in cultivation.

10. Early Sweetwater". — {Cole. Doivn. Floy. Thomj).)
This is a very early and very agreeable white peach, among the

best of its season, ripei^s not long after the Early Anne, and
ten days or more before the Early York. It is an American
peach, raised from the stone of the Early Anne. It is so
much larger and superior to the Early Anne, or any of the
nutmeg peaches, that it has almost driven them from our gar-
dens. The tree is thrifty and productive, with pale shoots
and nearly white blossoms. Fruit medicinal, roundish, whitish ;
flesh white, juicy, melting sweet; of medium size, frequently
large, with a slight suture. Skin pale white, very seldom with
a faint blush when fully exposed; slightly stained with red
at the stone.

11. Troth's Early. — A very early and excellent peach,
medium size ; skin whitish, with a beautiful red cheek — flesh
juicy, sweet, very fine— one of the most profitable varieties for
early marketing. We are cultivating it largely for this pur-
pose. (We quote Franklin Davis & Co., of Richmond Nur-
series.) Flesh white, resembles the Early York — early part
of July.

12. Old Mixon Free. — Fo7?i. Mem. OldMixon Clearstone,
Coxe.

This is a very large American peach — it matures late and
is of rich and high flavor. It is supposed to have been raised
from a seed of the Catharine Cling or the Old Mixon Cling,
the latter was introduced into this country many years ago,
by Sir John Oldmixon. It is highly productive and is a very
valuable variety. It is fair and large, succeeding well in all
localities, and well deserving the high favor in which it is
held, as an orchard variety. Skin yellowish-white with a deep
red cheek ; flesh Avhite, but red at the stone, tender, rich,
excellent. Tree hardy, flowers small, globose glands — Sep-
tember.

13. Snow Peach. — A mostbeautiful fruit, medium size ; skin

278 THE PEACH.

and flesh clear, creamy white throughout. Tree hardy and
productive — blossoms pure white and shoots greenish — very
distinct — one of the most desirable of all the white peaches
for preserving. This remarkably fair and elegant fruit is of
American origin. The foliage is a light green — fruit ex-
ceedingly juicy, melting, with a sweet, rich, sprightly flavor.
Last of August to middle September.

14. Druid Hill. — This is a free-stone peach of splendid
size, high flavor, and very late maturity. It originated with
L. M. Rogers, of Druid Hill, near Baltimore, and was named
after his country seat, by A. J. Downing, who says, ''We
know no other late free-stone variety which equals it in flavor
and size. The tree is unusually vigorous, the shoots and
leaves very large, and it bears abundantly. The very late
season of its maturity renders it valuable, as most of the
luscious sorts are then gone. Fruit very large, roundish,
skin pale greenish-white, clouded with red on the sunny side.
Flesh greenish- white, purple at the stone, very juicy and
melting, with an exceedingly rich vinous flavor. Flowers
small, globose glands. Ripens from the 20th of September to
1st October.

15. Teton de Venus. — Large roundish, inclining to oval,
a broad suture dividing all around ; pale yellowish green, pale
red cheek, juicy, melting, exquisite flavor. One of the very
best free-stones — September.

16. Red Rare Ripe. — A fine old variety. Large, Red Rare
Ripe of some — Early Red Rare Ripe — White, with a dark red
cheek, flesh pale, rich and high flavored, red at the stone,
melting, juicy, very high flavored ; flowers small ; fruit rather
large, globular, but broad ; leaves serrated — without glands.
August.

" It must be observed that this is totally different, both
from \hQ Early York and Morris's Red Rare Ripe, with which
it is often confounded by some nurserymen. The fruit is
larger, broader and a week later than the first ; and its ser-
rated leaves and diff'erent flavor, separate it widely from the
latter."

THE PEACH. 279

17. President. — P. Mag. Lind. Thomp.

A fine variety. Fruit large, roundish oval, tlie suture
shallow. Skin very downy, pale yellowish green, Avith red
dull cheek, juicy, rich and high flavored ; stone very rough,
flowers small. Matures early in September. ((Jan be ob-
tained at both the Nurseries near Richmond) and at other
Nurseries in Virginia, and at Franklin Davis & Go's Nursery
at Goldsboro, North Carolina.

18. Late Red Rare Ripe. — Doivning.

This noble American fruit is unquestionably one of the very
finest of all peaches, even surpassing the Late Admirable.
Its large size, and great excellence ; its late maturity, and its
productiveness and vigor, all unite to recommeuJ it to uni-
versal favor. We cannot praise it too highly. The rather
grayish appearance of the fruit serves to distinguish it at first
sight from all others.

Leaves with globose glands ; fruit large and heavy, round-
ish oval, suture depressed only at the top, where the swollen
point is distinctly sunken. Skin downy, pale grayish yellow,
thickly marbled and covered with reddish spots ; cheek dull
deep red, distinctly mottled with fawn-colored specks. Flesh
white, but deep red at the stone ; very juicy, melting, and of
an unusually rich, luscious flavor, not surpassed by any other
peach. Last of August to 1st of September.

19. Royal Hexsixgtox (Grosse Mignonne) — 0. Duh.,
Lind., TJiomp.

The ''world-renowned" of peaches. Not only highly es-
teemed in France, its native country, but in England and
America. It is among the most popular and considered the
most superb peach in cultivation. The great number of
names by which it is known abroad, and we have only quoted
two of them, proves the universality of its cultivation. It is
a large and very handsome fruit ; is a great and regular bearer,
ripens well under glass, and will flourish even in unfarorable
climates. Leaves with globose glands. Fruit roundish, some-
what depressed, marked with a hollow suture or seam at the
top. Skin pale greenish yellow, mottled with red, with pur-
plish red cheek. Flesh yellowish white, marked with red at

280 THE PEACH.

the stone ; melting, juicj, with a very rich, high, vinous fla-
vor. Stone small and very rough. Middle of August, be-
fore the Royal George. The flowers are very large.

20. Tuft's Rareripe. — Medicinal; roundish, yellowish,
with a bright red cheek. Flesh melting, very sweet and
luscious. Free-stone. Very hardy, vigorous and productive.
Globose glands. Produces the same from the seed. We
have hundreds of seedlings, all perfectly uniform (we quote
Coles). Middle of September.

21. Morris' Red Rareripe — Large Red Ripe, Early
Red Rareripe of some. — Large, roundish, expressed at top,
distinct suture, greenish w^hite, bright red cheek, flesh green-
ish white, red at the stone ; very melting and juicy, with fine,
sweet, rich flavor. Free-stone, globose glands, small flow-
ers. This fruit is highly esteemed in Virginia and the Caro-
linas and farther South. Originated near Philadelphia by
Robert Morris, Esq., and was disseminated from his gardens.
It is everywhere esteemed for its fine flavor, beauty and pro-
ductiveness. Some American writers have erred in suppos-
ing it synonymous with the Grosse Mignonne, which is quite
diff'erent, both in color of its skin and flesh, as well as in fla-
vor and blossoms. Ripe in August.

22. Anna Ruffin. — This is said to be a splendid variety
and eminently adapted to Southern climates. The author has
not been able to get a fair description of it, but from report
no Southern garden or orchard should be without it.

23. Heath Free-stone. — Kenrick's Heath. Ken.

This variety very much resembles the Heath Cling, so
celebrated in the South. It is large, showy, oblong, growing
to the very largest size, and a very hardy tree. The quality
of the fruit at the North is second-rate, but in the fine peach
regions of the South it is very fine. Its remarkable size and
appearance is an offset to any deficiency in flavor. Flesh
greenish white, deep red at the stone, a little coarse, melting,
tender, juicy, with a very pleasant sub-acid flavor. Flowers
small. Early in September.

24. La Grange — [Downing).

Leaves with uniform glands. Fruit large, oblong, shaped

THE PEACH. 281

somewhat like the Heath Cling. Skin greenish white, with
occasionally some red on the sunny side. Flesh pale, juicy,
melting, very rich, sweet, high-flavored and delicious. Mid-
dle to last of September. Flowers small.

This fine white free-stone peach was originated near Bur-
lington, New Jersey. Its period of nativity [early in October
there), its color, its productiveness and fine size, have given
it a reputation among the extensive growers of New Jersey;
and it is, undoubtedly, a most valuable fruit, not only for the
table, but for preserving at the most desirable time for this
purpose — late in the season. Its flavor is remarkably rich
and delicious, equaling, in this respect, almost any peach of
its season of maturity.

25. Ward's Late. — This is a fine, late, free-stone variety,
ripening from the middle to last of September. The tree is
vigorous and productive, and the fruit generally of large size.
Skin white, with a fine crimson cheek, flesh white to the
stone (splendid for preserving), juicy, melting and excellent.

2t). Belle de A^'itry. — Medium to large, rather broad,
with a deep suture, top depressed, pale yellowish white, tinged
and marbled Avith bright and dull red; firm, melting, red at
the stone, juicy and rich. Free-stone. Leaves serrated,
without glands. Free-growing and hardy. This is not the
Belle de Vitry of most Northern orchards and gardens, which
is the Early Admirable ; nor is it the Late Admirable — but is
a distinct variety. It is the Belle de Vitry described by
DuJtamel, and is a firm-fleshed and most excellent peach.
September. (Biih., Lind., Thomp.)

27. Belle Garde— (0. Luli., Lind., TJwmp.)

This fine fruit bears many French and English names, and
we will not bother our readers by enumerating them, it being
better known in tliis country by the one we have selected.

This splendid French peach is one of the most popular in
the Paris markets, and it is highly esteemed by the English.
It is also one of the handsomest and most delicious fruits here.

Leaves with globose glands. Fruit large, round and regu-
lar, the suture shallow, the top slightly hollowed, and having
a little projecting point. Skin pale yellowish green, with a

282 THE PEACH.

rich red clieek, often streaked with dark purple. Flesh
slightly marked with red at the stone, a little firm, but very
melting, juicy, rich and high-flavored. Stone rather large.
Flowers small. Middle of August.

28. Nutmeg, White — [MilL^ Lincl, Thomj)., Doivii., 0.
Dull.)

The White Nutmeg is a ver}^ small and rather inferior
peach. It is dwarfish in hahit and of slender growth. It is
esteemed by the curious as ripening a few days earlier than
a'ly other variety, and is earlier and better further South.

Leaves serrated, without glands. Fruit very small. Skin
white, rarely with a pale blush. Flesh white to the stone,
with a sweet and slightly musky flavor. Kipens from the
first to the tenth of July. Flowers largo.

29. Nutmeg, Red. — This resembles the foregoing in its
general habit. It is desirable in a complete collection. Both
this and the foregoing are European varieties.

Leaves small, with reniform glands. Fruit small. Skin
pale yellow, with a bright rich red cheek. Flesh yellowish
white, red at the stone, with a sweet and rather pleasant fla-
vor. Season middle of July.

30. Large Yellow York. — {JVew York Ilareripe, of
Coxe.)

A large and beautiful peach. Skin white, with a deep red
cheek. Flesh nearly white, very juicy, fine grained, with a
mild, rich, excellent flavor. The tree is vigorous and produc-
tive. Leaves with globose glands. Origin, Flushing, New
York. Matures early in August. This is a valuable and
showy peach, well worthy a place in every good collection.

31. The GorGxVS. — Originated with Benjamine Gullip, in
Philadelphia, from a stone of the " Morris White." Size two
and a half inches by two and three quarters ; roundish, with
a slight prominence at the apex ; dull greenish white, clouded
and blotched with red on the exposed side ; cavity wide, rather
deep, freestone, flush whitish, slightly stained at the stone,
juicy; flavor saccharine and exceedingly luscious ; quality
best ; period September.

32. Noblesse. — Synonyms. — Lord Montague's Noblesse,

THE PEACH. 283

Mellishe's Favorite, Canguerd, Noblest, Double Montague.
(Description by Elliott.)

Size above medium to large ; form roundish, sometimes
with a roundish oblong, and the point at apex quite promi-
nent. Skin, pale greenish white, marbled and streaked with
two shades of dull red in the sun, occasional faint blotches of
red on the shaded side; flesh, greenish white, very juicy,
melting, with a rich, delicious flavor ; stone, large, pointed,
separates freely from the flesh, and without any stain of red ;
season, early in September.

Tree, moderately slow grower at the North, and somewhat
liable to mildew when not in good ground. At the South it
grows vigorously, and does not mildew. The flowers are large
and the leaves serrated without glands. Originated in France.

Remarks. — The Noblesse is one of the old varieties whose
good qualities have as yet been unsurpassed by any of recent
origin. It is of the richest and highest flavor, and being en-
tirely white at the stone, is quite desirable for canning or
preserving.

Note. — According to Berckmans, "in Georgia, the earliest peaches
begin to ripen the middle of June, and the season is often prolonged
until the middle of November, a period of five months. Cling stones
are a favorite class, but if picked before maturity, they do not ripen well
and are apt to shrivel ; and if left on the trees until fully ripe, they are
unsuitable for shipping, and hence adapted to home use. Free stones
must be raised for marketing.

Class II. — Freestone Peaches ivith deep yelloiv flesh.

Peaches of this class are nearly all of American origin.
The Yelloiv Alberge of Europe is considered the original
type from which the various sorts and modifications of this
class have been derived. They are not esteemed as being so
rich and highly-flavored as the class alrea iy described, and
do not succeed so well in Northern latitudes, as it requires
the long hot summers of more Southern climes to develop
their high, luscious, juicy and exquisite qualities. In cold
climates they become somewhat acid and unpleasant. In
England, for lack of dry atmosphere, sun and warmth, they

284 ' THE PEACH.

prove inferior, and also at the northern limits of peach cul-
ture in this country. They are rather more liable to the
depreciations of insects and more apt to suffer from the '■'"yel-
lows f' but these objections have but little weight when it is
recollected they are superior in sweet, melting, vinous and
medicinal qualities to Class I.

33. Crawford's Early. — [CrawforcTs Early Melocoton."^
Ken.)

A magnificent, large, yellow peach of fine quality. Tree
exceedingly vigorous and prolific ; its size, beauty and pro-
ductiveness make it one of the most popular of early varie-
ties. Downing says: "This is the most splendid and excel-
lent of all early yellow-fleshed peaches. As a market variety
it is the most popular of the day, and it is deserving of the
high favor in which it is held by all growers of the peach."
It was originated by William Crawford, Esq., of Middletown,
New Jersey.

Fruit very large size; flesh very juicy, rich, slightly sub-
acid, of fine flavor, the suture shallow, skin yellow, flesh yel-
low, melting, sweet and very excellent. Flowers small. Au-
gust.

34. Craavford's Late. — [Crawford's Mclocoton. Craw-
ford's superb Malacatune.)

From the same source as the foregoing. A superb yellow
variety, very large, rich, splendid flavor — productive. As a
general thing the fruit is extremely large, roundish, with a
slight suture. Flesh deep yellow, but red at the stone, juicy
and melting, with a very rich, and excellent vinous flavor.
September.

As a splendid and productive market fruit, it is unrivalled;
and its size, beauty and excellence will give it a place in
every garden.

35. Yellow Alberge. — {Yelloiv Rare Ripe. Tlior)\p.^
Downing.)

The Yellow Alberge, a Yelloiv Rare Ripe of many Ameri-
can nurseries and gardens, and is also known by other names,
is an old French variety, and one of the earliest of the yel-

* Melocoton is Spanish for peach.

THE PEACH. 285

low-fleshed peaches. "It is, no doubt," says Downing, "the
original sort from which our Molocotons and Yellow Rare
Ripes have sprung in this country." Although it is consid-
ered by some as second-rate in flavor, yet in rich warm soils
and farther South, it is very superior in both size and quality,
and very productive.

Leaves with globose glands. Fruit large, roundish, with a
well marked seam or furrow running half round. Skin yel-
low, with a very deep, purplish red cheek. Flesh yellow,
but red at the stone — soft, juicy, sweet, with a pleasant vinous
flavor. July 20th to middle of August.

36. Braynard's Yellow. — [Allan ^^ Johnson.)

A 7nnu and very large yellow peach, of splendid quality,
rich and juicy. We regret not being prepared to fully de-
scribe it; but it is represented as being among the very first
as to quality.

37. Red-Cheek Melocoton. — (Coles, Allan, Davis.)
Large, roundish, oval, a swollen point ; yellow ; a deep red

cheek; flesh yellow, with red at the stone; melting, juicy,
rich, of a vinous flavor, frequently too acid at the North;
well adapted to Southern States; very productive. This is a
famous old and well known popular Southern variety, exten-
sively cultivated as a market fruit.

38. Yellow Rare Ripe.— Large Yellow Rare Ripe— Marie
Antoinette. — Down.

One of the finest, very early yellow fleshed peaches. It is
an American seedling, and well deserves the extensive culti-
vation it receives, both in the orchard and garden. Leaves
with globose glands. Fruit large, roundish, the suture slight-
ly depressed, extending more than half round ; the swollen
point at the top small. Skin deep orange yellow, somewhat
dotted with red, cheek rich red, shaded off" in streaks. Flesh
deep yellow, but red at the stone ; juicy, melting, with a
rich and excellent vinous flavor ; stone small, flowers small.
Last of July.

This must not be confounded with the Yellow Malagatune,
or Yellow Rare Ripe of some orchards, which is a much infe-
rior and an older sort, whose fruit is below medium, with

286 THE PEACH.

scarcely any red, and inferior in every respect to the kind
we have just described.

39. Columbia. — Qoxe, Doivn. (Georgia Peach, Indian
Peach.)

The Columbia, according to Downing, is a singular and
peculiar peach. " It was raised by Mr. Coxe, the author of
the first American work on fruit trees, from a seed brought
from Georgia. It is a very excellent fruit, which every ama-
teur will desire to have in his garden. The tree is not a very
rapid grower, and bears only moderate crops, being, of course,
all the less subject to speedy decay. The young wood is
purple."

Leaves with reniform glands ; fruit quite large, globular,
broad and much depressed ; suture distinct, extending half
way round ; skin rough and rather thick, (alhiost curculio
proof,) dull dingy red, sprinkled with spots and streaks of
darker red ; flesh very bright yellow, of the texture, as Coxe
remarks, of a very ripe pine-apple, rich, juicy, and of very
excellent flavor. Latter part of August.

40. Smock's Free. — Ren. Down.

In some nurseries this is known as St. George, and is an
October pei«ch at the North. It is quite popular as an orch-
ard fruit. It was originated by Mr. Smock, of Middletown,
New Jersey, the centre of peach cultivation of that region.

Leaves with reniform glands. Fruit large, oval, narrowed
towards the sides ; skin light orange yellow, mottled with red,
or often with a dark red cheek, when fully exposed ; flesh
bright yellow, but red at the stone; moderately juicy, rich.
Last of September and first of October.

41. Pools' Large Yellow. — Hen. Down.

A very large and excellent deep yellow peach, with a dark
red cheek, of fine quality ; fruit roundish, with a suture ex-
tending from the base to the top ; skin deep yellow, flesh
yellow, but red at the stone, rich, juicy, and of excellent
flavor. It is of the Malacoton family, and is worthy of ex-
tensive cultivation. It originated near Philadelphia, and bears
heavy crops. Tree hardy ; lea^ves with reniform gland. Mid-
dle of September.

THE PEACH. 287

42. Ratch.— Coles. (Originated by S. 0. Hatch, Ct.)
Very large ; roundish, pointed, shallow suture ; skin deep

yellow, flush in the sun ; flesh yellow, melting sweet and ex-
cellent; free-stone. It 2?roduccs the same from seed, y^'hich,
with its earliness, hardiness, and superior quality, renders it
an admirable peach. We have hundreds of seedlings perfect-
ly imiform. Globose glands. Middle of August.

43. Bergen's Yellow. — Doiun.

Bergen's Yellow is a native we believe of Long Island. It
is a very large fruit, and of very delicious flavor. It is darker
colored, more depressed in form, rather finer flavored, and
ripens some days later than the Yellow Rare Ripe, which it
much resembles. It is a moderate but good bearer. It is
earlier, and much superior to the Malacoton, and its glands
distinguish it also from that variety.

Leaves with uniform glands. Frait very large (often meas-
uring 9 inches in circumference,) globular, depressed and
broad; the suture well marked, and extending half round;
skin deep orange, dotted with same red, and with a very
broad dark red cheek; flesh deep yellow, melting juicy, and
of rich and luscious flavor ; flowers small. Ripens latter part
of August.

44. Baltimore Beauty. — A very good and remarkably
handsome peach, of native origin — originated near Baltimore.
Leaves with globose glands ; fruit rather small ; roundish,
oval ; skin deep orange, with a brilliant red cheek ; flesh yel-
low, but red at the stone — sweet, very good, a little mealy if
over ripe ; flowers large. Last of July and first of August.

45. Tuft's Rare Ripe. — Medicinal, roundish, yellowish,
with bright red cheek ; flesh yellow, melting, very sweet and
luscious ; free-stone ; very hardy, vigorous, and productive ;
globose glands. Produces exactly the same from the seed,
and all its seedlings are perfectly uniform — hence the value of
this fine variety — it saves grafting.

46. Merriam.- — Extremely large, short, oval, light yellow,
bright red cheek ; flesh yellow, red at the stone, melting, very
juicy — of a sweet luscious flavor, of the first rank in size, beauty

288 THE PEACH.

and quality ; globose glands ; neiv and promising. Last of
September.

47. Heath Free. — Avery large September peach. A seed-
ling of Southern origin ; matures only in the South. In some
situations this is a very fine peach. It somewhat resembles
the Heath Cling, externally. Fruit large, skin white, flesh
white, very juicy, tender, with excellent flavor. Early in
September.

48. Susquehanna. — A very large, new and superb yellow
peach; melting, sweet, juicy, with a rich vinous flavor; skin
rich yellow, with a beautiful red cheekj very handsome.
August and September.

This new and valuable peach originated on the banks of the
Susqueh-anna in Pennsylvania. It is a great favorite where-
ever known. Fruit of the largest size, sometimes measuring
twelve inches in circumference. The best of all the yellow
fleshed peaches. Free-stone.

49. Heath.— Heath Cling, Red Heath, Fine Heath, White
Heath.* — Coxe^ Doivn.

The most superb and most delicious of all late Cling-stones.
It will not ripen in New England, but all through the Middle
and Southern States, it is one of the most marketable and
valuable kinds, of very large size, and the very finest flavor.

Mr. Coxe informs us that this is a seedling produced in
Maryland from a stone brought by Mr. Daniel Heath from
the Mediterranean, and it is still frequently propagated from
the stone ivithout variation in that state. The tree is vigorous,
long lived and moderatel}^ productive. With the shortening-
in mode of pruning, the fruit is always large and very fine,
otherwise it often becomes rather poor. This tree is placed
by espalier, rail or wall at the North, and can be matured in
that way.

Leaves nearly smooth on the edges, with reniform glands.
Fruit very large, oblong, narrowing to both ends, and termi-
nating at the top with a large swollen point ; the suture dis-
tinct on one side ; skin downy, cream-colored white, with a
faint blush or tinge of red in the sun, or a brownish cheek ;

* At the Hermitage Nurseries, Richmond, this is called the White Heath.

THE PEACH. 289

flesh greenish white, very tender and melting, exceedingly
juicy, with the richest, highest, and most luscious flavor, sur-
passed by no other variety. It adheres closely to the stone.
It ripens in September and October, and frequently keeps
a month after being gathered. Flowers small.

50. Monstrous Pavie. — Bon.^ Jard.^ Lelicur, Thomp.^
Coles, Dotvn.

This is an old French variety of many names. It is not
esteemed at the North except on account of its size- It will
not ripen north of Philadelphia unless protected by walls, and
is especially a southern fruit. This is perhaps synonymous
with the Monstrous Cling of the West. It is a vert/ late peach,
of good flavor in the South, but rather coarse and wanting
flavor at the North. Its extremely large size and showy ap-
pearance render it quite salable.

Leaves with reniform glands ; fruit extremely large, round-
ish, oval, with a well marked suture extending to the top, and
terminating there in an obtruse swollen point ; skin yellowish
white, a good deal covered with the broad very deep red color
of its cheek ; flesh firm, yellowish white, deep red at the
stone, to which it adheres very firmly, and which is very
small. Juicy, good flavor, beautiful ; flowers large. No
amateur peach grower should fail to procure this variety for
his orchard or garden. This splendid peach matures the last
of October in the Middle States ; middle of October in Vir-
ginia and North Carolina, and is especially adapted to the
southern part of the Western States and farther South.

51. Large White Cling. — Floy. Down.

This is the most popular cling-stone peach of the North —
said to be superior in that climate to the Catharine and Old
Newington, and only inferior in flavor to the Heath and Old
Mixon Clings. It is a native of New York, and was first in-
troduced by Floy as the New York Chng-stone. This is the
great favorite for preserving in brandy or sugar. The tree is
said to be remarkably hardy and long lived and seldom attack-
ed by the Yellows.

Leaves with globose glands ; fruit large, round ; the suture
slight, and the swollen point at the top small ; skin white, in-
20

290 THE PEACH.

dining to yellow only when over ripe ; dotted with red on
the sunny side, or with a light red cheek when fully exposed ;
flesh whitish, tender, very melting, full of juice, which is very
sweet, luscious, and high flavored ; flowers small. Beginning
and middle of September.

52. Lemon ClIxHG. — Floy. Thompson. Down. Kennedy's
South Carolina. Pom Man. Long Pine Apple Cling. Coxe.
Pine Apple. Yellow Pine Apple.

This is the largest of all the yellow fleshed Clings. It is
also the finest and most beautiful of this class. It is a native
of South Carolina, and was brought to New York by Mr.
Kennedy before the war of the Revolution. There are many
seedlings in all parts of the country from this fine variety,
but none superior to the original. The tree is a free grower,
very hardy and productive.

Leaves very long with reniform glands. Fruit large, ob-
long, narrowed at the top, and having a large projecting,
swollen point, much like that of a lemon ; skin fine yellow,
with a dark brownish red cheek ; flesh firm, yellow, slightly
red at the stone, adhering firmly, with a rich and sprightly
vinous subacid flavor ; flowers small. September.

53. Old Mixon Cling-stone. — Qoxe. Down. Coles. Green
Catharine of the Americans. Thomp.

One of the highest flavored and most valuable of all peaches
known in this country, where it is raised in perfection, and
should have a place in every orchard and garden. One of
the best American authors says, " We consider this, the
Large White Cling, and the Heath Cling, and the Lemon
Cling, as including all that are valuable for small collections.
This fruit is quite distinct from the Catharine Cling of Europe,
or the Old Newington, as a single glance at its leaf glands
will show, to say nothing of its superior flavor. It can scarce-
ly be the ' Grreen Catharine of the Americans' of the London
Horticultural Society's Catalogue, as that is said to be a poor
fruit. We are not familiar with it." Coxe says that the Old
Mixon Cling was introduced by Sir John Old Mixon, from
Europe. It is more probable that he introduced the stone
only.

THE PEACH. 291

Leaves with globose glands ; large yellowlsh-wliite, dotted
with red on a beautiful red cheek ; flesh pale white, very
melting and juicy, with an exceeding rich, luscious flavor, one
of the highest flavored and most valuable peaches cultivated ;
flowers small. Last of August.

54. Red Magdalen. — Large, round and regular, pale yel-
lowish green with rich red cheek, firm, melting, juicy, and
high flavored ; an excellent variety. Cling. August.

55. Chinese Cling. — Fruit large, roundish oval; skin
transparent, cream color, with marbling of red next the sun;
flesh creamy white, very juicy and melting, with a rich and
very agreeable flavor, every orchard should have a few of this
variety.

56. Newington, Cling, (English), — One of the best early
Cling-Stone peaches,

57. Tippecanoe. — Very large, yellow, with red cheek, juicy
and rich — nearly round with a point ; broad cheek, flesh yel-
low, of a fine vinous flavor. Rather late for the Northern
States ; fine in the South and South-west ; excellent for
the table and of superior quality for preserves. Tree vigorous
and a great bearer. Reniform glands, small flowers. Matures
in the Middle States from the first to middle of October.
Farther South first of October.

58. Brenneman Cling. — Large ; skin yellow, with con-
siderable red on the sunny side; flesh yellow, juicy sweet, and
high flavored ; very valuable. September.

59. Grand Admirable. — Full medium size; skin white,
nearly covered with red ; this is a very nice and good peach,
and is an early cling. August.

60. Smith's Newington. — Lind. Thomp. Down. Early
Newington — Smith's Early Newington of the Eiiglish. Early
Newington — Coxe.

This fine, early cling-stone peach, is of English origin. It
is one of the very best early clings. The Early Newingtoa
of our orchards is a splendid free-stone (or rather it adheres
partially to the stone) ; it has in a measure supplanted this
cling-stone. It is also much earlier.

Leaves serrated, without glands ; fruit rather above middle

292 THE PEACH.

size, oval, narrow at the top, and one half a little enlarged ;
skin, pale straw color, with a lively red cheek streaked with
purple ; flesh firm, pale yellow, but light red at the stone, to
which it adheres closely ; juicy and of fine quality. Middle
of August

61. Catharine. — Long. Lind. P. Mag. TJiomp. Down.
This is an excellent English variety. Some authors have

remarked that this cling cannot be distinguished from the Old
Newington, (Smith's) and Old Mixon Cling. But they are
distinct varieties, as may be known by the glands of the leaves,
which, unerringly, distinguish all varieties. Leaves with reni-
form glands; fruit large, roundish, oval; skin pale yellowish
green, sprinkled with red dots; flesh yellowish white, dark
red at the stone ; cheek bright livel}^ red. Middle of Sept.

62. Orange Cling. — Large, handsome, excellent; resem-
bles the Lemon Cling, but richer in flavor and quite a distinct
fruit.

Leaves serrated, without glands ; fruit large, round ; skin
deep orange with rich dark red cheek ; flesh deep or dark
yellow, rather firm, juicy with a delicious, vinous flavor ; small
flowers. Early in September.

Class IV. — Varieties partially adhering to the stone.

63. Early Tillotsox. — This fine early variety which we
have already described as a free-stone, is properly of this
class. All who wish a fine early peach should cultivate this
variety. July.

64. Early Newington, (of the Americans) Newington
f(tmh, Boion.

Thjis is a large and exceedingly high flavored peach ; indeed
we consider it without a superior at the season of its maturity,
which is about the first of August. It is distinct from the
other Newingtons, which are perfect clings and much later.
If not fully ripe, it adheres to the stone^although it is classed
by most authors with free-stone peaches. This partial ad-
;hesion is a very distinguishing character of this variety.
X.e^iyes with reniform glands ; fruit large, round, one half the

THE PEACH. 293

fruit always larger ; skin pale, yellowish wliite, streaked with
red, rich red cheek ; flesh white, red at the stone ; rich vinous
and juicy.

Q6. WASHixaTOX. — Washington Red Free-stone. — Floi/.
Ken. Doivn.

This is a very handsome and delicious peach ; originated
in New York about seventy years ago. The tree is vigorous,
hardy and very productive, and it is altogether a most valu-
able fruit.

Fruit large and broad, somewhat depressed, suture deep,
globose glands ; thin yellowish white skin, with a beautiful
deep crimson cheek ; flesh pale, rather yellowish, tender,
juicy and melting, with a sweet, very rich and luscious flavor.
It adheres considerably to the stone, slightly so when very
ripe, stone very small; flowers small. Season first of Sept.

QQ. Atlanta, New. — Originated by Dr. E, Ware Sylves-
ter, of Lyons, Wayne Co., New York. Fruit, according to
Elliott, of medium to large size ; skin wdiite, with a dark,
almost purplish red cheek ; flesh white, juicy, rich, adhering
slightly to the stone, of excellent, almost best quality.

Class V. — Varieties producing the same from the seed.

67. White Blossomed Incomparable. — P. Man. Thomp.
Down. White Blossomed.

This is an American fruit, quality not quite so fine as the
Snow Peach, wbich it resembles. The seeds ijroduce the same
variety. The flowers are very white, and the leaves very
light green, with reniform glands, wood, pale yellow ; fruit
quite large, rather oval ; skin fair, clear, white throughout ;
flesh perfectly white to the stone, melting, juicy, very sweet
and pleasant ; flowers large. Matures last of August.

68. Hatch.— Coles.

This very large, fine, free-stone peach (already described)
produces the same from the seed. " We have hundreds of
seedlings (we quote Coles) perfectly uniform.

69. Brigos.— (Coles.)

Large, flatish round ; suture nearly all round, white, nearly

294 THE PEACH.

covered with white red ; fiesh white, tinged with refl at the
stone ; very juicy, of a rich, sweet, slightly vinous fiavor ;
hardy. Has produced its like from the seed for twenty years.
Last of August. (We consider this a valuable variety that
does not require the delay and trouble of grafting.)

70. Hale's Melocoton. — ^Large, medicinal, oblong, flat at
the base, slight suture on one side ; bright yellow ; flesh yel-
low, of a very sweet and excellent quality. Keeps well ;
free-stone ; matures last of August. Produces the same from
the seed.

71. Allen's Walpole Melocotox. — Allen's Walpole.
Aliens.

Small, roundish, white, red cheek, flesh white, very juicy^
of pleasant vinous flavor ; hardy and a great bearer. Has
been raised for forty years from the seed uniformly true.

72. Tuft's Rareripe. — (Coles.)

This valuable free- stone peach (already described) produces
invariably the same from the seed.

73. Batchelder. — (Coles.)

Large, round, white, with a deep blush ; flesh white, melt-
ing, juicy, very pleasant, rich, vinous flavor. Should be well
ripened on the tree ; very hardy ; produces crops when many
others fail ; reproduces itself uniformly from the seed. We
have young trees all uniform and the same as the parents.
(Our authority for this is Mr. Coles of the American Fruit
Book.)

74. Heath Cling. — White Ueatli Cling, White English^
JEliza Tho-mas, White Globe, Henrietta, etc., etc.

This is the most delicious and superb of all seedlings, (already
described.) It is a native of Maryland from seed brought
from the Mediterranean. It is still propagated from the
stone, generally with undeviating sameness, which renders
the tree more hardy and durable than if grafted, and adds
greatly to the value of this splendid fruit.

75. Columbia. — Coxe. (Already described.

This fine yellow free-stone peach was originated by Mr.
Coxe, from a seed brought from Georgia. In consequence of
its rough and thick skin, it is rather too much for the curculio,

THE PEACH. 295

and is in a great degree exempt from his depredations. Its
value is also greatly enhanced from the fact that it is one of
the best varieties that reproduces itself invariably from the
seed.

76. Lemon Cling. — Synonym. Pine Aj^j^Ie, Kennedy s
Caroline^ Early L. Cling.

This is a native of South Carolina, and the finest, most
beautiful and largest of all yellow fleshed clings. Reproduces
the same from seed.

77. Old Mixox Cling. — This is one of the finest and
highest flavored of all white flushed peaches knoWn in this
country. Always the same from the seed.

78. Hartshorn. — Coles.

Large, roundish, oval ; rich, yellow, deep blush ; flesh has
a peculiar coarse grain, that fits it admirably for preserves.
Sacharine and pleasant ; produces the same from the seed ;
from first to middle October.

BLOOD PEACHES.

79. "Blood Cling. — Floy. Down.

An extremely large and peculiar fruit, much esteemed for
pickling and preserving, to which it is well adapted. Flesh

Note. — "The Heath (says Mr. H. C. Williams, of Falls Churoh, Fair-
fax county, Va.) has been in m}'- father's family for more than seventy
years, grown all the time from the seed. There are other varieties of
peaches, such as the Columbia, Old Mixon Cling, etc., whose individual
character is so strongly impressed upon them that they appear to refuse
a union with others, and hence they will almost invariably, or in a great
majority of cases, reproduce themselves from their own kernels.

In Georgia, Tennessee and Arkansas, the Heath is called the ^'English
Peach,^^ from the circumstance that Col. Hamilton, who is mentioned
in Lee's memoirs as an officer in the Revolutionary war, and afterwards
Consul at Norfolk, having brought stones of this peach from Scotland,
distributed them among his old neighbors in Caswell or Person county,
North Carolina, where he had been a merchant previous to the war.

Cox ascribes the introduction of this peach from the Mediterranean to
a Mr. Heath. The two peaches are identically the same, and its con-
stant habit of reproducing itself without variation, proves its universal
popularity, and tends to confirm the history of its appearance in this
country at two points remote from each other. A Heath seedling makes
the best stock for budding of any of our fine varieties."

296 THE PEACH.

very red, like that of the beet ; skin very downy, and of a
dark gray or purplish color ; very firm and juicy, adheres
closely to the stone ; tree vigorous and grows fast and large ;
leaves very large with reniform glands ; flowers small ; fruit
sub-acid, keeps well ; early in September. This is an Ame-
rican seedling raised many years ago from the French Blood
Cling-Stone or Claret.

80. Blood Free-Stone. — This is a French variety, nearly
of the same flower and description of the Blood Cling. It is
pleasant, sub-acid and very juicy, better to eat than the Cling,
and is used for the same purposes. Matures about the first or
middle of September. The leaves have no glands.

81. Indian Blood. — Large, dark claret, with deep red
veins, downy, flesh deep red, very juicy, vinous and refresh-
ing. Middle August, in Ga. Originated in the South.

DWARF PEACHES.

82. Italian Dwarf. — (Hermitage, Richmond Nurseries.)
Medium size, whitish green, rich and juicy ; bears early,

and reaches the height of five feet. It is both ornamental
and useful ; free-stone. August.

83. Van Buren and Golden Dwarf. — Hermitage and
Richmond Nurseries.

Fruit large, yellow skin, with red cheek , flesh yellow, sub-
acid and fair quality ; foliage dense and pretty ; cling-stone.
August. Generally grows to the height of four or five feet.

CURIOUS AND ORNAMENTAL VARIETIES.

84. The Double Blossomed. — Thomp. Double Flower-
ing Peach, Bon. Jard. Rose Flowering, 0. Duk. Down.

The Double Blossomed peach, when in full bloom, is a gay
and very beautiful tree. The great profusion of large showy
flowers, resembling small roses, is a most lovely and exquisitely
beautiful sight ; and should be placed beside the Double Flow-
ering Cherry, as a gay rival, in all pleasure grounds and
ornamental gardens. The blossoms of this peach are at least
three times the size of the common peach, of a brilliant rose

THE PEACH. 297

color, ^'nearly full double," and so thickly spread on the
branches as to exhibit their blushing loveliness to the greatest
advantage.

The tree blooms at the usual season. Some prefer bud-
ding this variety on the Mirabelle or the Cherry Plum stock,
in order to render it more dwarf.

85. Weeping Peach. — Reed's Weeping Peach. Down.
This singular, peudant, w^eeping variety, whose branches

very much resemble the weeping ash, was originated near
New York City. In order to display it to advantage it is
best to graft it, six or eight feet high, on the clean stem of a
peach or plum stock. The leaves have reniform glands, and
flowers very large.

86. Pyramidical. — Grows to a height of twenty feet in
a compact form, like the Lombardy Poplar. This is highly
ornamental.

87. Van Buren's Dwarf. — Somewhat in the style of the
Italian Dwarf. Fruit yellow, cling, very pretty and useful.

88. Flat Peach of China. — Lind. Thomp. Down.

The Flat Peach of China, "is more curious than beautiful."
It is a very singular variety with small fruit, about two inches
in diameter, and so flattened at the ends that only the skin
and the flat stone remain, the fleshy part being crowded on
either side. The tree is rather dwarfish, and the leaves re-
main very late. The fruit is of good flavor and is desirable
in the gardens of the amateur and the curious. This peach
is sometimes called " QJiina Peachy Jarva Peach, Peen To''

Leaves with reniform glands ; fruit small, flattened so
much as to form a deep hollow at both ends ; having at the
top a singular, broad, rough, fine angled eye. Skin pale
yellowish green, mottled with red on one side. Flesh pale
yellow, with a circle of red round the stone, (from which it
separates), sweet, juicy, with a slight noyeau flavor. Last
of August. Flowers large.

The two dwarfs, just described, are also highly ornamental,
and should adorn the gardens and orchards of the curious.
These, however, are really useful as well as ornamental.

298 THE PEACH.

NEW VARIETIES— IX 1869.

Mr. Elliott, of Oliio, who is high authority in peach culture,
says, " Of new varieties of American or foreign origin, I learn
only of the following as especially worthy of record:"

89. Prince of Wales. — A seedling, grown by Thos. Rivers,
England, from the seed of the Pitmaston Orange Xectarine,
and has this year fruited in this country by James H. Ptick-
ets, of Newburgh, New York, an enterprising and enthusiastic
fruit cultivator. The tree is a fine grower: fruit of medium
size; free-stone; ripe early in September (in New York).

90. Princess of Wales. — This is also a seedling, by Thos.
Rivers, England. Grown from the seed of Pavie de Pompone,
and, like the Prince of Wales, has been first fruited in this
country by Mr. Rickets. The tree is a free groover ; the fruit
is of full medium size, often almost large; flesh white; free-
stone; ripens last of September.

91. Salway. — This is another foreign variety that, although
not specially new, appears to have characteristics to make it
a valuable market variety. The tree is a vigorous grower.
In size, the fruit is large or very large ; the flesh orange
color; free-stone; matures very late, even into the middle of
October; hence, taken with its extra size and high color, it
promises a valuable sort for marketing in the South and
West.

92. Richmond. — Fruit large, skin yellow and red, free-
stone, and promising of value for market. Propagated by
Dr. E. W. Sylvester, of New York. The fruit has less acid
than Crawford's Early.

93. Atlanta. — Fruit of medium to large size; skin white,
with a dark, almost purple-red cheek; flesh white, adhering
slightly to the stone. Of excellent and almost best quality.

94. Foster. — Originated near Boston — has not been figured
or described, although it has received premiums. It some-
what resembles Crawford's Late, but (at the North) considered
a better fruit, and ripens about the same time.

Note. — All the above new fruits are figured and more fully described
in that excellent periodical, "The American Horticultural Annual,"
Orange Judd & Co., New York city. 1870.

THE PEACH.

299

SOUTHERN^ AND WESTERN PEACHES — REVISED
CATALOGUE.

Selected from the Catalogue of the Committeee of Revision, present-
ed and accepted at the meeting of the American Pomolog leal So-
ciety, held at Richmond, Va., in Sejotemher, 1871.

Embracing Ceu. Div bat. 30° and 42°, and

DESCRIPTION.

South Div. bet. 2S° cfe 33°.

NAMES.

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oo

Yellow Rareripe...

1

F.

y

j. V.

g

E.

'<

*

...

*

°

Yellow St. John...

1

F.

Y_

s.j.

_s_

VE

„

*

*

**

**

oo

oo

oo

o

_

The columns explain : Size 1, large ; m., medium ; s., small. Class,
F., freest >ne ; C, clingstone. Color, relative to flesh, w., white or pale
colored; y., yellow or yellowish; g,, greenish white, red at the stone.
Quality, m. j. r., melting, juicy, rich; s. j., sweet and juicy ; s. j. h.j
sweet, juicy, and high flavored. Glands — s., serrated without glands ;
g., glands globose ; v., glands reniform. Season — those designated as
early, ripen in latitude 43°, previous to or about Sept. 1st ; medium,
those ripening from the 1st. to the 15th. of Sept., and late those after
period; E., early; M. medium; L., late; V. E., very early; V. L.,
very late. Origin — Am. American, F. Foreign. One *or ° designates
recommended, two *^-' or °° gives the character or superiority for family
and market use.

* This originated in South Carolina, and differs from the Missouri
Amelia.

t Berchmans thinks it is the same as Shanghae.

300 THE PEACH.

NEW FOREIGX YA.UlETlE'i— Highly Recommended.

Belle Beauce, Early Silvers,

Belle Couquete, Early Victoria (Rivers),

Belle Done, Pucelle de Malines,

Chevreuse Ilative, Raymackers,

Early Albert (Rivers), Yiiieouse.

SELECT CATALOGUES OF VARIETIES.

Having arranged the nomenclature and description of the
various sorts and modifications of the best known varieties of
the peach, it also becomes necessary to furnish the orchardist
^vith catalogues, suitable not only for the different purposes to
which the fruit may be applied, or used, but also to furnish
lists adapted to the different soils and climates most congenial
to the growth of the tree and the development of its fruit.
This w^e have taken much pains to accomplish, and hope we
have succeeded in a manner thatAvill be considered both judi-
cious and appropriate.

The elements of a good peach list, says a modern author,
should combine only a few varieties of the most hardy,
healthy, handsome, good, large, portable peaches — ripening
in succession from the first of July to the middle of October —
extending in succession some four months.

In accordance with these views we present the following
list of the best varieties iov general cultivation, for market and
ho7ne consumption, throughout the South and Southwestern
States, as well as portions of the Western States, which, ac-
cording to the best of our judgment and information, are com-
prised in the following list. By a proper selection from this
list, the peach season may be extended from the first of July
to the middle of October ; and, when the Heatlt Cling and
Baldwin's October, as late varieties, are selected, which keep
in a good state of preservation a month after gathering,
nearly five months may be counted for the duration of the
peach season.

THE PEACH. 301

VAEIETIES SUITABLE FOR GENERAL CULTIVA-
TION/'^

Early Tillotson and Hale's Early ; early in July.

Froth's Early and Malta; middle of July.

Honey peach; early in July — June, in South Carolina.

Yellow Rareripe and Early York; last of July.

Anna Ruffin ; July.

Large Early York and Royal George; first of August.

George the Fourth; August.

Columbia, or Georgia peach ; middle to last of August.

Snow peach, Late Admirable, and Heath Free-stone ; last
of August.

Chinese Cling and Crawford's Early; August.

Susquehanna; August and September.

Druid Hill; First of September.

Old Mixon Cling; September.

Old Mixon Free and Morris' White; first of September.

Lemon Cling; middle of September, South Carolina.

Red Cheeked Melocoton; September.

Ward's Late; middle of September.

Grosse Mignonne or Royal Kensington ; first of Sept.

Crawford's Late; September.

Coolridge's Favorite and George the Fourth ; first Sept.

Monstrous Pavie — late (Southern States).

Noblesse and Morris' Red Rareripe; September.

Smock's Free-stone; last of September.

Heath Cling; first of October.

Eaton's Golden Cling, Lagrange, Tippacanoe, Blood Cling,
and Henrick's Heath; October.

Parker's Late; 10th October (cling).

Baldwin's October.

♦Although this list may approximate as near as any that could be made for general
cultivation in the South, yet we are aware that no such list can succeed generally through-
out even this State (Virginia). Varieties that are best in the Piedmont and Western
portion will not succeed in Tide-water Virgihia, and vice versa. There must be special
lists for the different localities, as it regards the peach— and the same may be said of the
Summer and early Fall apples.

302

THE PEACH.

SELECT PEACHES ADAPTED TO THE CLIMATES OF
MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA AND N.
CAROLINA, FOR A SUCCESSION.

Hale's Early,

Fay's Early Ann,

Crawford's Early,

Early Tillotson,

Red Rareripe,

Yellow Rareripe,

Morris' White (preserving),

Grosse Mignonne,

George the IV., similar to
Large Early York.

Columbia (Georgia peach, In-
dian peach).

Snow Peach,

Smock's Free,

LemoR Cling, S. S. (beautiful
blossoms and fruit), Ken-
nedy s Cling ^

Washington,
Old Mixon Cling,
Ward's Late,
Crawford's Late,
Susquehanna,

White Heath Cling (for pre-
serves),
White Magdalen,
Red Magdalen,
Jeweler,

Alberge's Yellow,
Old Mixon Free,
Red Cheeked Melocoton,
Lagrange,

Eaton's Golden Cling,
Heath Cling,
Baldwin's October.

SELECT PEACHES FOR MARKET, ADAPTED TO THE
LATITUDE OF MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, &c.

Large Early York,

Haine's Early,

Druid Hill,

Lemon Cling — Kennedy's

Qling^
Fay's Early Ann,
Morris' Red Rareripe,
George the IV.,
Columbia,

We are indebted to Messrs.

Henrick's Heath,

Old Mixon Free,

Smock, or St. George,

Heath Cling,

Old Mixon Cling,

Early and Late Crawford,

Y^ellow Rareripe,

Lagrange,

Baldwin's October (Georgia).

Harris k Wallis, of the Coves-

NoTE. — For market purposes, large, high-colored fruits bring the
highest prices. Clings are not so well adapted to distant markets.

THE PEACH. SOS

ville Nurseries, Albemarle County, Va., for valuable aid in
arranging these lists. They can furnish all the varieties of
peaches, as well as apples.

SELECT PEACHES, ADAPTED TO THE STATES SOUTH
OF NORTH CAROLINA.

Heath Cling, Monstrous Pavie.

Blood Cling (pickling and preserving).

Kennedy's Cling, South Carolina.

Blood Free-stone, Fr. (Sanguinole, Sanguine).

Old Mixon Cling, White Cling (large).

Orange Cling, large, deep orange, excellent.

Late Admirable ( Teton de Venus).

Lemon Cling (native of South Carolina).

Columbia — Indian, or Georgia peach (market).

Grosse Mignonne (origin France).

George the IV., Early Tillotson (market).

Early Ann (English), very early.

Druid Hill (market), Bellegarde, Walters' Early.

Morris' Red Rareripe, Morris' White (White Rareripe).

Lagrange, Honey Peach (origin S. C), very valuable.

Jacque's Rareripe (yellow), Smock Free.

Walburton Admirable (late English).

Late Heath, free; White Melocoton.

'''Pace, orTinsley (seedling), often 13 inches circumference;
Baldwin's October, free; October to middle of November.
Snow Peach, Dulany (a seedling from the Heath).
Hunter; September. (Shape and size of large Early
York.)

* These aro fine Georgia peaches, and are extensively cultivated near Clarksville,
Habersham county, in place of Northern varieties. The first is a magnificent fruit,
often loeighing over a pound. The second is also a native seedling, ripening its fruit from
the last of October to middle of November, with the unusual property of keeping sound
until December. (These fruits are worthy of general cultivation.) No region of coun-
try upon the globe can exceed Georgia and portions of Mississippi in the perfection of
their peaches. The burning sun developing the fine saccharine qualities of this delicious
fruit to the highest degree. Even the yellow-fieshed varieties are sweet and savory, wiih
only so much acid as to be grateful to the taste. Early peaches from South Carolina and
Georgia may be put in Northern markets at least four weeks earlier than from their
own orchards, as the peach ripens in the middle portions of these States by the 10th of
June.

304 THE PEACH.

Clark's Early (originated near St. Louis).

St. Louis — a large native yellow peach (market).

Walter's Early, Cole's Early, pale fleshed free-stones.

Old Mixon Free (pale fleshed).

Lagrange, President.

George the IV. (market).

Morris' Red Rareripe (market).

Royal Kensington, Bergen's Yellow, Troth's Early,

Yellow Rareripe, Chinese Cling, Crawford's Late,

Early Chelmsford, Susquehanna,

Coolridge's Favorite,

Crawford's Early, Catawba,

Lady Parham, Iron House,

Van Zandt's Superb, Bradford's Free, Noblesse,

Cromwell's Yellow, Large White English Cling,

Grand Turk, Delcis Cling, Eaton's Golden Cling,

Nix's Late, Cox's October.

SELECT PEACHES FOR MARKET, ADAPTED TO EX-
TREME SOUTHERN LATITUDES.*

Early Tillotson, Honey Peach,

Early York, Columbia,

Early Ann, Kennedy's Cling,

Walter's Early, Pace, or Tinsley,

Druid Hill, Snow Peach,

Old Mixon Free, Morris' Red Rareripe,

George the IV., Heath Cling,

Lemon Clins:, Baldwin's October,

Smock Free, - Nix's Late,

Iron House, Lady Parham.
Chinese Cling,

*As far south as Florida the peach tree is loug-lived, healthy and vigorous, and is
never subject to injuries from Vn^peath worm, or the diseases which so universally afflict
the fruit in the Northern and Western States. The most delicious peaches may be
raised almost without care, by every family, and in abundance sufficient even for the
economical feeding of swine. The earliest varieties of this fruit ripening in the begin-
ning of June, and the latest sorts continue until late in August. The earliest and the
latest varieties should be chosen for cultivation in Florida, as the rainy season com-
mences in July and continues throughout that month, causing much of the maturing
fruit to crack.

THE PEACH. 305

CHOICE PEACHES FOR A GARDEN OR SMALL OR-
CHARD, FOR GENERAL CULTIVATION AND FOR
A SUCCESSION.

Early Tillotson, Early Yellow Rareripe,

Hale's Early, Delce's Cling,

Early Newington, Morris' Red Rareripe,

Royal George, President,

Crawford's Early, Lemon Cling,

Noblesse, Crawford's Late,

Royal Kensington, Columbia,

Tippecanoe, Heath Cling,

Old Mixon Free, Baldwin's October,

Morris' White, Nix's Late.

W. C. Flagg, of Illinois, in an essay on peaches, says that
from his experience and observation the variety with the
fewest objections is the Old Mixon Freestone; and that for
a list of four market varieties which will nearly cover the
season, and against which few objections can be urged, he
names :

Troth's Early, Old Mixon Freestone

Large Early York, . Smock Freestone.

Barry recommends for a succession from Auorust 1st to

o^

October, in eastern and western latitudes :

Early Tillotson, Crawford's Early,

Early York, Jacques,

Haines' Early Red, White Imperial,

Coolridge, Lemon Clingstone,

Yellow Alberge, Large White Clingstone.

THE ELMWOOD LIST FOR CULTIVATION SOUTH.

The following valuable list, prepared by Mr. Jas. Stewart,
of the Elmwood Nurseries, Memphis, Tennessee, may be relied
on, to run through the season, as among the best and most
profitable for the orchardists of that section :

Early Tillotson. — The finest and most profitable of all
21

306 THE PEACH.

the early peaches. You can, for shipment, gather the entire
crop on the last of June.

Early York. — Somewhat larger than the Tillotson. It
can be shipped on the 10th of July, and be eaten for fifteen
days longer.

Iron House. — Can be shipped on the loth of July, and
in eating for ten days longer. This tree originated with the
late Wm. Armour, in middle Tennessee. It was planted by
his iron house — hence its name. It is large, dark yellow
color, of the highest excellence, both in flavor and appearance.
It is regarded as the finest of all that class of peaches of its
season.

Morris' Red. — Well known, and good everywhere.

Van Zandt's Superb.

Bradford's Free.

Early Newington.

Noblesse.

GtEORGE the Fourth. — All first class fruits here.

Chinese Cling. — This can be shipped on the 20th July,
and in eating the 1st of August. I regard this as the finest
I have ever seen globe. Size, very large ; color, light green,
marbled and streaked with red; flavor surpassingly grand.
Leaves, habit and growth, very distinct. For profit or any
other purpose, this fruit, in our climate, leaves all others in
the shade.

Old Mixon Cling. — Is ready for shipping by the 1st of
August. This old variety will ever be popular; it is one of
the very best peaches of its season.
Cromwell's Yellow, Grosse Mignonne,

Crawford's Late, Buckner's Red,

Flewellen, Stump the World,

Rodman's Cling, Red Magdelene,

Each a favorite.

Morris' White. — This is truly a noble variety; color
creamy white; very large, and in general appearance very
attractive. In shipping order the 1st of August.

Large White English Cling. — A distinct peach of great

THE PEACH. 307

excellence,, and, in every way as desirable as the above for
any purpose.

Druid Hill. — In shipping order the middle of August.
This, though not as fine in appearance, is nevertheless one,
if not the very finest of its season.

Late Admirable.

Lemox Cling.

Grand Turk. — This splendid peach originated ten miles
south of Memphis. Large, and of very dark blood color;
skin beautifully marbled with green.

Delce's Cling. — Li shipping order on the 25th of August.
This fine variety originated with Major Bradford, of Browns-
ville, Tennessee; in appearance and quality it resembles the
famous and well known White Cling Heath — good every
where.

White Cling Heath. — This comes in order about the 1st
of September. It is so universally known I need say nothing
about it.

Lagrange. — Regarded here as one of our very best; ripen-
ing about the loth of September. A most magnificent variety
for shipping, and beautiful appearance in market. In color
and appearance it is about the same as the Heath tribe.

Eaton's Golden Cling. — For a change in color, we now
add Eaton's Golden Cling; a most beautiful golden } ellow,
ripening about the same time with the Lagrange.

Lady Parham. — Latter end of September ; very excellent.

Nix's Late. — Matures about the 10th of October. Quality
the very best. "Both the latter varieties resemble the Heath,
and are the very best to run you through the entire season,
and wind up the list. The above is the result of long expe-
rience and close observation. As they have fruited, grown,
matured, and proved themselves with me, so they are here
briefly described to you."

"Any one planting this succession may rest assured that
they will not be disappointed, although I must say there are
other varieties which, for amateur purposes, may be prefer-
able. The Noblesse, for instance, an exceedingly tender and
most deliciously flavored fruit, is, by many, esteemed the most

308 ' THE PEACH.

luscious and excellent of all peaches. Also, the Grosse Mig-
nonne is hardly surpassed in this latitude, though not so
attractive in appearance."

It is well to recollect that situation, climate, latitude, soil,
and even circumstances, have something to do in the produc-
tion of the high qualities of this delicious fruit which is at
home in the uplands of all southern countries.

BEPvKMANS' LIST— AUGUSTA, GEOKGIA.

The following select list was furnished us by Mr. P. J.
Berkmans, Augusta, Georgia. We consider it very valuable
for that region, and well adapted to other southern latitudes:

FREESTONES.

Amelia. — Synonyms, Stroman's Carolina, Orangeburg,
Rayzers, June, etc. Very large, conical, white, nearly cov-
ered with crimson; juicy and high flavored, vinous, sweet. It
is too tender to stand long carriage; but as a peach for home
consumption it is truly magnificent; July 1st to 10th.

Baldwin's Late. — Large, oblong, greenish white, with
red cheek; juicy and well flavored; October 10th.

Bergen's Yellow. — Large, round, skin yellow, covered
with dark red; flesh yellow; juicy, sweet, high flavored;
July 10th.

Columbia. — Synonyms, Pace^ Tinslcys Superb^ St. Ste-
phens, Yellow Indian, etc.

Crawford's Early. — First of July.

Crawford's Late. — Middle of July.

Early York, serrated. — End of June.

Early York (Large). — July 10th.

Early Tillotson. — June 15th to 25th.

Grosse Mignonne. — Middle of July.

Hale's Early. — Ripe specimens were gathered here on
the 10th of June.

Late Admirable. — Syn. Teton de VenuSy etc. Ripe
July 20th.

Note.— Mr. B. says, to prevent the attack of the borer, " hill up the trees in April and
leave off again in November. If any eggs ^re by chance deposited, they can be easily
destroyed."

THE PEACH. 309

Late Rareripe. — About 1st August.

Lady Parham. — Medium, skin greenish white, seldom with
any red, flesh white, juicy, vinous, highly flavored; a first rate
late variety. Beginning of October.

Lagrange. — Middle and end of August.

Old Mixon Free — Middle to end of July.

Osceola. — Large, golden yellow, with orange cheuk, with
a few red veins ; flesh golden yellow, sweet, buttery, and with
an apricot flavor ; belonging to the Indian type. Beginning of
September.

Picquett's Late. — Very large, yellow, with red cheek ;
flesh yellow, buttery, rich, sweet, and of the highest flavor.
Originated by Antoine Picquett, Esq., Belair Georgia, and a
most valuable acquisition. 1st Sept.

Red Cheek Melocoton. — Ripe middle July.

Stump the World. — Very large white, with bright red
cheek ; flesh white, juicy and of good flavor, stands carriage
well and a fine market variety. July 20th and lasts three
weeks.

Susquehannah. — End of July.

Troth's Early. — Almost identical with Early Tillotson.
Ripens three or four days later.

CLING STONES.

Austin's Late Red. — Large, white, with red cheek, flesh
white, juicy, vinous, and well flavored. Middle of October.

Bagby's. — Large, white juicy ; tree of slender growth.
Middle August.

Bordeaux. — Large, yellow, with a faint red cheek, flesh
yellow, rather coarse, but of good flavor, very showy. Ripe
July 20th.

Chinese.— Splendid in our climate.

Demming's September. — Large, oblong, with a protuber-
ance, yellow, with red cheek ; flesh yellow, red near the stone ;
juicy, vinous and excellent; resembles the Lemon Cling.
Middle September.

Elmyra. — Large, white, nearly covered with red ; flesh
white and red near the stone, juicy, good. July 15th.

310 THE PEACH.

Eatox's Goldex. — Medium, skin golden yellow, with occa-
sionally a few pink spots ; flesh yellow, sweet, juicy, with
apricot flavor. Middle of September.

Flewellen — Large, deep red, with deeper red veins ; flesh
red and juicy, vinous, very good : belongs to the Indian type ;
most beautiful and showy July 20th.

Heath Red. — Large, oblong, skin creamy white, with red
vrash, flesh juicy, vinous and well flavored, red near the stone.
August 25th.

Heath Late White. — Syn. Heathy (Coxe), Heath Cling-
Stone, Fine Heathy White U)}(/Iish, Eliza Thomas, Patter s
September^ Rawy Peach, White Globe, Henriette, etc., etc.
September. Large, rich, superb.

IxDiAX Blood. — Large, dark claret, with deep red veins ;
downy, flesh deep red, very juicy, vinous and refreshing.
Middle of August.

Newixgtox Clixg. — Syn. Old Neivington Cling, (Lang.,
Lind., Thomp.) Neivington^ (Parkenson.) Large Newington,
(Coxe.) Flesh separates partially from the stone. This is
a very large, handsome, and excellent old English peach ; has
been in cultivation some 200 years.

Nix's Late White. — Large, oblong, white, slightly tinged
with red, downy, flesh white, juicy, and of fair quality ; fine
for preserving. Middle to the end of October.

Old Mixox Clixg. — End of July.

PiXE Apple. — Syn. Lemon Cling, Kennedy's Carolina,
Allison, Early Lemon Cling, etc., etc. Middle of August.

Tixley's October. — Medium, white with a wash of red ;
flesh white, juicy, and of high flavor. Middle of October.

LIST FOR THE VICINITY OF ATHENS, GA.

An extensive peach-grower, near Athens, Georgia, at the
request of the Editor of the "Athens Southern Cultivator,"
has furnished the following very valuable list of desirable
peaches, suited to that locality, which, doubtless, will answer
for many other portions of the~ South.

THE PEACH. 311

FREE-STOXE.

Hale's Early, Early Tillotson, Troth's Early ; June.

Red Rareripe, Amelia ; July 1st to 10th.

Walter's Early, Washington Eree, white, George the IV.,
Early Admirable, Yellow Rareripe, Crawford's Early, yellow ;
10th July to 20th.

Morris' White, White Imperial ; 20th to 30th July.

Green Catharine, Walter's Late, Old Mixon Free. Late
Admirable, Heath Free, Brevoorts Morris, Bloodgood's L.
Green, Chevreuse Tardine ; about 1st August.

Late Rareripe, Crawford's Late, Rose Hill Seedling, Stump
the World ; about 1st August.

President, Pace, Ward's Late Free ; Last of August.

Lagrange, Picquett'sLate, President Church, Smock ; Sep-
tember 1st to 10th.

Baugh, Edward's Late, Baldwin's October, Lady Parham ;
about 12th October.

CLINGS.

Georgia Cling, Chinese ; July 15th.

Congress, Large White Cling, Old Mixon, Baltimore Rose
Lemon Cling.

Tippecanoe Cling, Washington ; August 1st.

Donnahoo, Demming's September, Catawba, Eater's Golden
Cling ; September.

Dabney's, Hulls' Athenian, Austin's Late Red, Gaither's,
Late, Nix's Late ; October.

PRESIDENT ALLAN'S SELECT LIST.

The annexed list of first class fruit, furnished by request,
expressly for this work, by J. M. Allan, President of the
Virginia Horticultural and Pomological Society, and Horti-
cultural editor of the '' Southern Planter and Farmer," Rich-
mond, Va., is very valuable. It is intended more particularly
for the Tide-water district of Virginia, but will answer for
many other sections.

Hale's Early, free-stone ; July and August.

Note.— The first twelve only, on the above list, should be selected for Northern mer-
chants.

312 THE PEACH.

Troth's Early ; middle July.

Early York, free-stone ; July and August.

Early N e^vington ; August.

Alberge's Yellow, (Yellow Rareripe) ; July and August.

Crawford's Early, George the Fourth, Royal Kensington,
Red Rareripe, free-stones ; August.

Morris' White, free-stone ; August and Sept.

Crawford's Late, Old Mixon, Red Cheeked Melocoton,
Teton de Venus, free-stones, Tippecanoe, cling, Lemon Cling,
Ward's Late, Old Mixon Cling, President ; Sept.

White Heath Cling ; Sept. and October.

DWARF PEACHES.

Italian Dwarf, free-stone ; August.

Van Buren's Golden Dwarf, cling-stone ; Sept.

SELECT PEACHES FOR THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA
AND WEST VIRGINIA.

The order observed here constitute a valuable succession of
sorts, from August to October, which are esteemed for all
purposes.

Hale's Early ; first to middle of August.

Cole's Early Red, Early York, (serrate), Early Newington ;
middle of August.

Fay's Early Ann ; August.

George the IV., Grosse Mignonne, (English,) Coolidge's
Favorite, Troth's Early ; end of August.

Bergen's Yellow ; beginning of Sept.

Alberge Yellow, (Yellow Rareripe) ; early Sept.

Crawford's Early, Brevoort's Morris ; beginning of Sept.

Snow Peach ; beginning to middle Sept.

Jacques, Rareripe, Old Mixon, free-stone; middle Sept.

Morris' White, Scott's Nonpareil, (New Jersey), Red Cheek-
ed Melocoton ; middle to end Sept.

Old Mixon CHng, Susquehanna, Stump the World, (New
Jersey) ; end of Sept.

Crawford's Late.

THE PEACH. 313

Pool's Large Yellow ; beginning of October.
Lemon Cling ; late for preserving.
Tippecanoe Cling ; beginning of Oct.
Lagrange ; late, valuable for preserves.
Blood Cling, Carpenter's White ; October.
White Heath ; very late for some locations.

SELECT LIST FOR THE TIDE-WATER AND OTHER
PORTIONS OF MARYLAND.

(President Allan's List is well adapted to this region, to
which may be added the following very fine varieties.)
Early Tillotson ; 15th to 25th July.
Columbia ; late in August.
Chinese Cling ; August.
Heath Free-stone ; beginning Sept.
Honey Peach ; Last July.
Grosse Mignonne ; August.
Druid Hill ; Sept.
Late Admirable ; early in Sept.
Noblesse ; Sept.

Lrage Early York ; early in August.
Morris' White, Snow Peach ; last of August.
Monstrous Pompone ; Sept.
Royal George ; August.
Susquehanna ; Sept.
Lagrange ; last Sept.
Parker's Late ; 10th October.
Baltimore Beauty ; first of August.

WOODSON'S GREEN RIVER LIST— Ky.

The following catalogue of select peaches, adapted to the
Green River, and other sections of Kentucky, has been furn-
ished us by Mr. A. C. Woodson, of the Green River Nurseries,
Hart county, Kentucky ; together with his apple list, insert-
ed in another part of this work. We are under many obliga-
tions to Mr. W., for his catalogue of superior fruit.
Old Mixon Free, Smock's Late Free,

314 THE PEACH.

Crawford's Early, White Heath Cling,

Crawford's Late, Breckenridge,

Grand Admirable, Heath Free,

Stump the World, ' Grosse Mignonne,

Hale's Early, Van Buren,

Cole's Early, Golden Dwarf,

Early Tillotson, Stump the World,

George the IV., Shanghai Cling,

Early Newington, Pope's Cling,

Hopkinsville, White Point Cling,

Morris' Late, Chapline^'^

Grand Admirable, Jerries' Seedling, ^^ Ky.,

Catharine Cling, Allen Cling,

Columbia, White Heads,

Van Zandt's Superb, Red Heath,

Ward's Late Free, Nix, Late.

Bindford,

LIST BY THE KENTUCKY STATE POMOLOGICAL

SOCIETY— 18G9.

President, Laiurence Young, Louisville. .

Early Tillotson, Ward's Late Free,

Catharine, Grand Admirable,

Breevort Morris, Grosse Mignonne,

* This elegant new peacli is a mixture of Indian and White Cling— size variable but
generally large. Flesh and skin beautifully streaked with red, with sweet, rich, luscious
flavor. Origin, Hart connty, Ky. Mature in August.

t This new variety resembles the Hopkinsville. Very large, flavor superb ; free-stone.
Origin, Hart county, Ky. August.

Note. — With other sensible remarks Mr. Woodson warns those who
are about to engage in fruit culture, not to depend too much on new,
untried sorts, whose qualities and value are not well established ; but
recommend those who intend planting an orchard to rely mainly on old
and well tried varieties. He says also, if you want fruit, buy only accli-
mated fruit stock.

Note. — We are indebted to Mr. Woodson for a copy of the list.

THE PEACH. 315

White Heath, Red Rareripe,

George IV. Tippacanoe,

Early Newington, Sidock's Late Free, Ky.

Heath Free, Crawford's Late,

Lagrange, Hopkinsville,

Van Zandts, superb, Cole's Early,

Hale's Early, Old Mixon Free.

Colnmbia,

PIEDMONT SELECT LIST— GA.

(Bettveen Tide-water and the Blue Ridge 3Iountains.)

FREE-STONES.

Hale's Early, Troth's Early, Honey Peach, Early York ;
July.

Early Newington, Crawford's Early, Grosse Mignonne,
George the IV, Newington Early, free, Columbia, Large Early
York, Red Rareripe, Morris' White Rareripe, Malta, Noblesse,
Royal Hensington ; August.

Bergen's Yellow, Crawford's Late, Druid Hill, Heath Free,
Old Mixon Free, Teton de Venus, Ward's Late Free, Late
Admirable, Lagrange, Snow Peach ; September.

Baldwin October, Lady Parham ; October.

PARTIALLY ADHERING.

Early Tillotson, Early Newington, Washington, Atlantic;
July and August.

CLING-STONE.

Chinese Cling, Red Magdalene ; August.
Lemon Cling, Tippecanoe, Blood Peach, Indian Blood,
White Heath, Nix Late ; September and October Clings.

AMATEURS SPECIAL LIST.

Nutmeg, white, Early Tillotson,

Early Anne, Grosse Mignonne,

Columbia, Freestone Heath,

Hale's Early, Baltimore Beauty,

Noblesse, Double Blossom Peach,

316 THE PEACH.

George the lY., Flat Peach of China,

Snow Peach, Weeping Peach,

Druid Hill, Royal Kensington,

Late Red Rareripe, Monstrous Pa vie.

Honey Peach, Chinese Cling,

Troth's Early, Stump the World,

Lady Parham, Lemon Cling,

Morris' Red Rareripe, Nix, Late White.
Yellow Rareripe,

LIST OF CHOICE PEACHES— 1869— By F. R. Elliott.

The Serrate Early York has received universal favor as
one of value, in giving fruit of medium size, and of superior
quality, free from defects. Next to this.

Troth's Early, Yellow Rareripe, Crawford's Early,

Old Mixon Free-stone, Smock Free,

Early Newington, free, Sturtevant, Crawford's Late,

Columbia, Coolridge's Favorite, Heath,

Late Admirable, Moore's Red Rareripe, Noblesse,

Red Cheek Melocoton, have each had their champions,
because of their real and intrinsic value.

ADDITIONAL LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF SELECT
PEACHES.

latitude, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA.

Free-stones.

Canary. — Medium size, pale yellow, flesh yellow, juicy,
apricot flavor ; very good ; delicate fruit, too tender for mar-
ket; ripe end of June.

Fleitus St. John, or Yellow St. John. — Large, round-
ish, light yellow, with a bright red cheek, flesh juicy, sweet,
and of high flavor; ripens with the Early Tillotson and lasts
longer. Lately brought to notice in Louisiana, and promises
to be very valuable.

Fruitland Seedling. — Very large, oblate, greenish white,
with a mottled cheek, flesh greenish white, very juicy, vinous
and of good flavor.

THE PEACH. 317

Gaylord. — Very good, large, white, with red cheek, flesh
white, very juicy, rich, beautiful; middle of August. Origi-
nated by Dr. Philips, of Mississippi.

Great Eastern. — Very large, (often measuring 14 inches)
greenish white, with a slight wash of red, flesh juicy and
sweet, sometimes a little coarse; a showy fruit. Originated
in the orchard of J. P. Berkmans' Nurseryman, Augusta,
Georgia; July 20th.

Julia. — Medium white, with a slight red wash, flesh white,
juicy, vinous and good; ripens end of Oct. to 15th Nov.
As with all late peaches its quality is modified according to a
warm or cold October. Origin, Aiken, South Carolina.

Napoleon. — Medium, downy, skin dark red, flesh pink-
veined red, juicy, rich ; July 20th.

Owens' Seedling. — Medium, white, with a few red veins,
flesh pure white, melting and well flavored; 1st to 15th of
August.

President Church. — Large, yellowish white, with some
motling of red on sunny side; flesh white, a little red near
the stone, very juicy, melting, very good; middle of Septem-
ber. Origin, Athens, Georgia.

PuCELLE DE Malines.-= Medium, skin white, beautifully
washed and mottled with carmine, flesh white, sweet and of
exquisite aroma; very superior, but too tender for market.

Clingstones.

Bletcher's. — Large, white, with red wash, juicy, vinous
and very good; July 20th.

Duff Yellow. — Large, white, with red-wash, showy, juicy,
vinous, sub-acid, and very good; matures 20th to last of July.

Georgia Cling. — Medium, skin white, much covered with
red, juicy and very sweet; end of July.

Griswold. — Large, white, much covered with red, juicy
and verv sweet.

Goode's October. — Large, skin white, washed and veined
with pale red, flesh white, with red veins, juicy, vinous, and
finely flavored — of the Indian type; beginning of October.

318 THE PEACH, &C.

Mitchell's Mammoth. — Similar to late White Heath ; but
a little later.

O'GwYXX. — Large, with crimson cheek, juicy, melting, of
good flavor; matures early in August.

Scott's October. — Medium, pale yellow, flesh yellow,
juicy and vinous — very good; matures early in October.

White Pine Apple. — White, with a protuberance — skin
white with dark crimson near the base, flesh white, red at the
stone, melting, juicy, good; ripe beginning of August.

LIST BY THE EDITOR OF THE SOUTHERN HORTI-
CULTURIST.

(yAZOO city, MISSISSIPPI.)

Dr. H. A. Swasey, Editor and Proprietor of that excellent
periodical, The Southern Horticulturist, Yazoo City, Missis-
sippi, has furnished us with the following select list of fine
peaches, which, from his personal experience and observation,
he confidently recommends for general cultivation in the
Southern States. This list of choice varieties for a succession
is sufficiently large for most farmers, although it contains but
a small portion of the fine sorts that may be profitably culti-
vated in most southern regions. We are under many obliga-
tions to Dr. Swasey :

Early Tillotson, Crawford's Early,

Yellow St. John, Bergen's Yellow,

Troth's Early, Chinese Cling,

Yellow Rareripe, Crawford's Late,

Cole's Early, Old Mixon Cling,

Early Chelmsford, Old Mixon Free,

Coolidge's Favorite, Susquehanna.

Late Admirable, Pride of Autumn,

Catawba, Raymond Cling,

Smock's Free, Lady Parham,

Ward's Late, Baldwin,

Heath Cling, Cox's October.
Lagrange,

THE PEACH, etc. 319

MARKET LIST FOR THE VICINITY OF ATHENS, GA.

Free-stone.

Hale's Early, Early Tillotson, Troth's Early ; June.

Red Rareripe, Amelia; July 1st to 10th.

Waller's Early, Washington Free (white), George IV, Early
Admirable, Yellow Rareripe, Crawford's Early, (yellow);
July 10th to 20th.

Morris' White, White Imperial; 20th to 30th July.

Green Catharine, Old Mixon Free, Late Admirable, Heath
Free ; about 1st of August.

Late Rareripe, Crawford's Late, Stump the World; Au-
gust 1st to loth.

President, Pace, Ward's Late Free; last of August.

Lagrange, President Church; September 1st to 20th.

Baugh, Edward's Late; September 5th to 20th.

Baldwin, Lady Parham; about 12th October.

Cliyigs.

Georgia Cling, Chinese Cling; July 15th.

Congress, Large White Cling, Old Mixon, Baltimore Rose,
Lemon Cling; July 15th to 1st August.

Tippecanoe Cling, Washington Cling; August 1st.

Downahoo, Lemming's September, Catawba, Eaton's Golden
Cling; September.

Dabney's, Hull's Athenian, Austin's Late Red, Gaither's
Late, Nix's Late White; October.

We are indebted to the Southern Cultivator^ Athens, Ga.,
for the above. It was procured from an experienced and re-
liable orchardist of that vicinity. It is intended as a list for
both home and Northern markets.

SELECT APRICOTS.

Dubois' Early Golden, Large Early,

Purple or Black, ' Royal,

Moorpark or Peach. Red Roman.

320 THE PEACH, &C.

SELECT NECTARINES.

Golden Cling, Boston,

Downton (free-stone), Elruge,

Hardwicke, Hunt's Tawry.

SELECT FIGS.

Celestial, Golden,

Lemon, Brunswick,

Brown Turkey, White Marseilles.

No kind of insects depredate on this delicious fruit.

SELECT CHERRIES.

May Duke, Early Richmond,

Belle de Choisy, Black Tartarian,

Belle d' Orleans, Conestoga.

PEACH BASKETS AND CRATES.

Peach Baskets specially adapted to shipping peaches, to-
matoes, and other delicate fruit long distances, may be obtained
with or without crates, of the American Basket Company,
New Britain, Connecticut, or of the Beeclier Basket Company,
Westville, Connecticut, who are equally reliable, or of any
other companies, most of whom have agencies all through the
South for the sale of their crates and baskets. There may be
also Southern establishments for their manufacture and sale.

These baskets are cheap enough to give away, and are so
constructed as to carry the fruit with the least possible injury.
They are smooth on the bottom and sides, and have no sharp,
cutting edges like ordinary splint baskets, or like the common
slat crates (we are speaking more particularly of American
companies' baskets), and they cost less than either. They are
made of strong white wood, put together with annealed and
clinched nails, and corner irons; and are so arranged that the
fruit cannot be misplaced or stolen. The packages are suflfi-
ciently ventilated to secure the fruit from fermentation, and
are not so open as to expose it to sand or dust. They are

THE PEACH, etc. 321

made of the strongest material, ironed and riveted in a thor-
ough, worknian-like manner; and the American Basket Com-
pany has a new style of hasp or lock. This hasp ov lock
combines all that is usually required of a padlock, hasp and
staple. It is much cheaper, and at the same time neat, con-
venient and attractive. As a lock for fruit trees or crates it
cannot be surpassed. It can be locked or bolted without
using key. (Price $1.50 per dozen.)

In using these baskets they should be well filled with the
fruit and handsomely rounded. The buyer will always honor
a full basket; scant measure is an abomination. The racks
that separate the baskets admit of heaping liberally. If heaped
when packed, the baskets will be full when they reach market,
and will find a ready customer.

A NE\y WAY TO DRY PEACHES.

Dr. Joseph Treat, of Vineland, N. J., gives the following
in the Practical Farmer^ which he says are new directions for
preparing peaches for drying:

"Never pare peaches to dry. Let them get mellow enough
to be in good eating condition, put them in boiling water for
a moment or two and the skins will come off like a charm.
Let them be in the water long enough but no longer. The
gain is at least six fold. Saving of time in removing the
skin, great saving of the peach, part of the peach saved, the
best part, less time to stone the peaches, less time to dry them,
and better when dried. A whole bushel can be done in a
boiler at once, and then the water is turned off. This very
morning we had two bushels skinned, stoned (halved), and on
the boards long before a quarter of them could even have
been peeled."

22

J^I^IPLE aXJLTXJ3=^E.

ERRATA,

Page 13, second paragraph, 10th line, for variety read varieties.

27, 9th line, for spots read po/s.

28. second paragraph, 1st line, for making read make.

31, third paragraph, 3rd line, for warmth of read warmth /or

34, Angsburg read Augsbnrg.

44, 13th line, for cottonwick read candlewick.

61, 6th line, for growing read grown.

79 and 82 Inadvertent repetition of quotations.

Ill, in note, for vines, read rinds.

120, for Reinett read Reinette.

120, for Domine read Dominic.

125, for stave read starve.

129, second paragraph, for nibbed read nipped.

141, for King of Tompkin's City read King of Tompkin's Counti/.

147, for Griras' read Grimes'.

150, Baldwin should be listed as a fall apple in the South.

1-51, May Apple, While Juneating, Early May of the South.

157, for Mason's Pippin read Ma-son's Stranger.

157, in note, for Norfolk read New York.

193, last paragraph, for Dr. Teith read Dr. Filch.

ERRATA.

Page 214, eighth line from bottom, for wood aches read ivood ashes.
275, for Montagne read Montague.

279 and elsewhere, for Royal Kensington read Royal Kenaington.
232, for Large Yellow York read Large Early York.
284 and 285, for Malacatune and Malagatune read Mdocolon.
285, for Molocoton read Melocoton.
2SG, for Malacoton read Melocoton.
288, Class III omitted at No. 49.

29G, No. 83, for Van Buren and Golden read Van Buren's Golden.
301 and elsewhere, for Coolridge read Coolidge.
314 and elsewhere, for Brevort read BrevoorL's.
316, for Fleitus St. John read Fleiias St. John.

Note. — The nomenclature of Southern fruit has been in great confusion. Typo-
graphical errors remedied in second edition.

GENERAL INDEX TO SUBJECTS,

APPLE CULTURE.

PAGE.

IXTRODUCTIOy 1

Advice 176

Afterculture 90

American Pomological Society — list 143

Additional remarks on preparation of soil 94

Annual bearing trees — list 120

Apparent decline in the growth and productiveness of the Apple

Tree 132

Apple tree, its origin. &c 16

American Tent Caterpillar, remedies for 209

Apples for preserving and ornament 147

Apple culture. remarkvS of Prof. Didwiddie, University, Va 136

Apple Borer, Round headed IQl

'' Remedy for 194

Apple Borer, Flat headed 196

Apple worm 197

Apple report, table, scale of 10 177

Apple cellar, or fruitery 181

Apples, Missouri 175

Apples for sandy soils 145

Apples for slaty soils 145

Apples, other new varieties 148

Author's mode of setting out trees 85

Bandages, use of 125

Barrelling apples for market - 183

Bark lice, remedies for 205

Budding 37

Canker Worm, remedies for 207

Cautions in pruning 103

Cement for grafting 45

Cider vinegar 220

Cider, manufacture of 212

" Recipe for making ;. 218

Codling Moth 197

'' remedies for 201

Compositions and washes 106

324 INDEX.

PAGE.

Cloy for grafting l9o

Climbing c .t worm , '208

Crab, a disease of the bark 20

De'^ayed and hollow trees, treatment of 22

Bisbarking and ringing 125

Distance at which trees should be planted, table 'of 178

Distance between trees in plantations 78

Dwarf trees, what are a.. 108

Dwarf standard trees — Dwarf bushes 178

Effect of soil in the modification of fruit 126

Engrafted fruits 2-3

Forking the soil under the trees 91

Forsyth's improved method of curing defects in trees 22

Fruitful ness, modes of inducing 125

Fruit ladders 211

Fruit pickers 211

Fruit drying houses 209

Garden fork. Its use in the orchard 87

Gathering, preserving and management of apples 180

Genet apple, origin of the name 143

GrafVing, extreme branch grafting 44

Grafting stone fruits 47

Grafting old orchards; time for grafting; grafting wax; setting

the graft; after trearaent ; varieties 48-51

Grafting and improvement 53

Grafting tools 40

Growth of young trees accelerated, hide bound trees 91

Growth of moss 41

Health and vegetation of trees 22

Hints for Southern fruit-growers . 221

Holes for trees 65

Instructions for gathering, barrelling and shipping 183

Insects injurious to the apple tree and its fruit 190

Labels for fruit trees 188

Large apple tree 62

Latent powers of man and the soil 21

Laying off orchards 67

Lime for trees '. 127

List of cider apples for general cultiyation 147

List for tide- water Va., and N. Carolina 144

List of dwarfs for middle regions South 178

INDEX. 325

PAGE.

List of late blooming varieties 121

List of early bearing varieties 145

List of varieties for sandy soils 145

List of varieties for slaty soils 145

List of varieties for preserving and ornament 147

List for the tidewater or maritime districts of the South 147

List for the mountainous sections of the South, Piedmont regions,
and upper parts of Maryland, Summer, Fall and Winter vari-
eties 150

List for the Valley of -Va., West Va., and Southwestern States,
including portions of the Western States for a succession, in-
cluding some valuable new varieties 160

List of Prof. Saunders, Agricultural bureau, Washington city 172

List, Woodman's for Stanford, Kentucky

List for small orchard, or garden. 147

List of Southern varieties for general cultivation far South 126

London D. H. fruit merchant, N. Y. city, letter from 183

Locations for orchard 126

Low heads vs. high heads 101

Manure for trees 66

Marking fruit trees 87

Means employed by unskilled farmers to injure their trees , 90

Medications for the wounds of fruit trees 103

Missouri apples 175

Moss, remedies for Ill

Mulching 77

Notched board for setting trees 71

Northern vs. Southern apples 140

Notched board 71

Number of trees to an acre at various distances 177

Nursery for propagating plants and trees 56

Orchard, utility of, extent, situation aspect and soil 58

Overbearing and its remedies 131

Pears, old worthless trees 52

Preparation of the holes or places 72

Piedmont region of Virginia 74

Planting trees 76

Plaster for large wounds 105

Ploughing among fruit trees 90-64

Propagaton of fruits, by planting tbe leaves, by covering twigs

with moss, by seeds, by budding, by grafting 34-40

Pruning, 96 ; Management of Standards, 97 ; Time to com-
mence, 98, Pruning to favor luxuriant growth, 100: Pruning

instruments 100

326 INDEX.

PAGE-.

Pruning and Graftinc; Cc/mpositions-, 104; Compositioi>

cloth, 10-5: Clay for grafting. 105; White lead 106

Preparation of the trees Ti

Preparation of the soil for trees OS

Pyramidal trees .,..,...„. 75

Qualities of apples 179

Rabbits, Meadow Mice and other bark eaters.. 187

Renovation of fruit and forest trees 2S

Root grafting 47

Scions, how to cut and preserve , 18i>

Shellac composition 10o«

Southern varieties 17-4

Shipping apples 183

Southern Winter apples 222

Southwest Mountaiii section of Virginia 61

Spurring in 124

Staking 77

Standard orchard trees 75

Surplus growth of wood of trees 115

Tap roots 130

Thinning fruit 131

The bearing year, Dr. Hull's views 114

Transplanting, 80; general direction 82

Training young trees useless in the South 107

" pyramidal, 108; Fan training 107

Treatment of trees that have been frozen in packages 90

Various manure for fruit trees 113

Varieties — what to plant, a puzzling question 140

Washing, nursing, scraping young trees 22

Warning to the orchardist 141

Wier's codling moth trap 20S

PEACH CULTURE.

Allan's list. President Virginia Hort'l So<'-iety 311

American Pomological Society s List 290

Athens List — Georgia 310

Berckmans' List — Augusta, Georgia 308

Borer, remedies for ."".

Banking System 256

INDEX. 327

PAGE.

Scalding 259

Virginia Remedy 258

Blood Peaches 295

Choice Peaches for garden or small orchard 305

Classes of Peach Family.

I. Freestone peaches .with pale flesh 274

II. " " " deep yellow flesh 283

Iir. Cling-stone peaches, commencing with Heath 288

IV. Varietes partial v adhe ing to the stone 292

V. " producing same from seed.' 293

Cultivation • 240

Cliuculio, remedies for

Burning under brush 272

Curculio catcher 2()9

Curious, and ornamental varieties 296

Diseases — Yellows— Curled Leaf. 249

Dwarf Peaches 296

Early Bearing.
Enclosures

249
244

Elmwood List, Memphis, Tennessee, 305

Green river list, Kentucky, — Woodson 313

Injurious Insects— Borer 254— Curculio 261

Kentucky Pomological Society List 314

Leaf Hoppers and Plant Lice 260

List for General Cultivation 301

List select for Maryland, Virginia, &c 302

List select for market for ditto v 302

List additional — Augusta, Georgia 316

List select for States South of North Carolina 303

List select for Virginia and West Virginia 312

Manures -'^^

Market list for Athens, Georgia 319

Mississippi list— Dr. H. A. Swasey, Yazoo City •• 318

New foreign varieties "^ -

New varieties •• -'■^^

New way to dry peaches "^21

Ohio select list— F. R. Elliott •• ^^^^

Origin and History of the Peach 22o

328 iXDEX.

PAGE.

Peach Baskets and Crates 320

Piedmont select list— Georgia 315

Planting the Trees v^ 236

Planting a Nursery 239

Preparation of the Soil 236

Proper Location 237

Propagaiion of the Peach 232

Remedy for the Yellows 252

Select Apricots 319

Select Cherries 320

Select Figs 320

Select Nectarines 320

Suitable Soils and Situations. 234

Symptoms of the Yellows 251

Tide- water list — Maryland 313

Training and Pruning 245

Uses of the Fruit , 232

Wash for Peach Trees 249

When to Plant.. 237

Young Trees Dying...... 228,

NDEX TO 4PPLE8,

STANDARD NAMES IN ROMAN LETTERS ; SYNONYMOUS NAMES IN ITALICS.

PAGE.

Abram or Father Abram , 158, 172

Albemarle Pippin 143, 155, 172, 168

Alexander 152

American, W. Winter Calville 150

American, S. Pearmain 143, IGO

American Golden Russett 143, 148

Annate 141

Atkins 169

Beaman's Seedling 144

Baldwin, (Coxe) 153, 156, 168

Baltimore Red. (Ben Davis) 143, 144

Bean, Waxen 149

Bellefleur, yellow , 143, 163

Ben Davis, Ky. Red Streak, N. Y. Pippin 157, 143

Benoni 121, 148, 177

Berry 174

Beverley's Red 158

Black's Hardtimes 141

Blackshear 174

Borum 172

Borsdorff ; 122

Bough, Large Sweet 151, 161

Beauty of Kent .^ 152

Beauty of the West 162

Brook's Pippin 172, 143

Brown's Seedling, (new) Va 144

Buff 165

Buncombe, Red W. Pearmain 178

Buckingham, FsiW Queen 143, 153, 174

Butter 152

Campfield, (cider) ., 147

Cannon Pearmain " 143, 172

CaroVmsi Red June, J imeating 143, 151, 172

Carter 174

Carthouse, Little Romanite 143 155, 159,

330 INDEX.

PAGE.

Carter's Blue, (Southern) 178

Cathead 144

Catline 162

Cayuga Red Streak 168

Celestia, (new) 173

Chandler, Chandler' s Red 169

Chestatee, (Southern) 174

Chinese Crab 1 47

Cole's Queen Apple lo2

Cogswell 163

Camack's Sweet, (Southern) 158

Cooper's Ruseting, (cider) loO

Cullasaga, (Southern) 1-38. 172, 174

Dahlonega (Southern) 174

Danver's Winter Sweet 143, 168

Dinwiddie, (new) Va 144

Disharoon, (Southern) 174, 178

Dominie 121. 162, 143

Ducket, (Southern) 174

Dutch Mignonne 169

Early Harvest 143, 160, 172

Early Joe 152, 172

Early Pennock 145

Early Ripe 151

Early Red Margaret 143, 160

Early Strawberry 143, 160

Early Sweet Bough 175

Esopus Spitzenberg 156

Equinetehj^ Fall Queen, (Southern) 174

Fall Cheese, Gully 141

Fall Pippin, Holland, erroneous 43, 149, 162

Fall Queen, Buckingham Batchelor 143. 145, 177

Fall Wine ' 153

Fallawater, Tulpehocken ,143 158

Fameuse, Pomnie de Neige, Snow Apple 145

Family 178

French Crab, (cider) 147

Gilpin, Carthouse 156, 150

Gloria Mundi 168

Golden Dixie, (new) Va 151, 145

Golden Beauty, (crab) ." 147

Golden Pippin 144

Golden Wilding .~. 172

Goose Pen, (Southern). 153

INDEX. 331

PAGE.

Gordon's Seedling 144

Gravenstein 152, 148, 140

Gregory's Red 144

Green Cheese, Carolina Greening 143

Grimes' Golden Pippin 14;->, 1G4

Gully, Mangum. (SouLliernj... 158

Hagloe Crab 147

Hale's Early 172

Harrison 147, 150

Hewes' Virginia Crab 143, 147, 158

Hock's White, (Virginia) 167

Higby Sweet, (Ohio, new) ir34, 143

High Top Sweet 145

Honiony, (Southern) 174

Horse 143, 144

Hubbardston Nonesuch 165

Hyslop's Crab 147

Ingram's Seedling, (new) 121

Isaac 144

Jersey Sweeting 153

Jonathan 140, 158

Julian, (Southern) 161, 174

Junaluskee 143

Keswick Codlin 160

King of Tompkin's County 157

Kettageska, (Southern) 178

Lady Apple. Pomme D'' Api 166

Ladies' Sweet 166

Large Red Siberian Crab 147

Large Vine , 144

Large Yellow Bough, Summer Sweet Bough 143, 16i

Lawver, (new) 143, 121

Limbertwig, James Rio er 143, 150, 172

Lowell, Orange 145

London Pippin, (Virginia) 143

Maiden's Blush 143, 164

Male Carle, (Ital an) 168

Mangum, Fall Cheese^ (Southern) - 143, 174

Mason's Stranger ^ 143, 157

Matilda, (new) Virginia 144

Mattamuskeet 172

Maverack Sweet, (Southern Winter).....' 174

May Apple. (So.ithern) 144, 151, 175

McAfee's Nonesuch 165, 143

332 IXDEX.

PAGE.

Mc. Cloud's— Southern 1-17

Michael Henry Pippin 1^3

Milam..: ! 121, 143, lo8, 173

Minker 121

Minister 145

Montebello (New.) 121, 172

Moore's Sweet — Western 17o

Morris, (new) Virginia 145

Mote Sweet, (new, from N. C) 173

Mother 141

Nansemond Beauty 144

Nickajack. (of forty names) 143, 15G, IGG, 172

Northern Spy— N. York 166

Ohio Nonpareil HI

Orange Pippin. Lowell 144, 145

Ortley, White Bellefleiir 1-30, 153

Peck's Pleasant : 168

Pennsyhaida Red Sfre'ik — Wine A^pple 143, 175

Pilot— Nelson Co., Va 143, 159

Porter 153, 162

Pound 144

PoA-ens 173

Primate 161

Prince's Yellow Hirvest 144, 177

Priestly

Pryors Red 143, 141), 172

Quince Apple 153

Ragland 144

Rambo 163

Ramsdell's Sweeting 121, 145

Rawles' Genet, Keverfail 143, 165, 172

Red Astrachan 143, 160, 172

Red Everlasting 169

Red June, Carolina Red June 151, 175

Red Fall Pippin— Southern 174

Red Steak— English Winter 147, 159

Red Siberian Crab 153

Red Warrior, (not Wamir) 174

Rhode Island Pippin 163

Ridley 144

Romanite .' 143, 159

Robinson's White 1^3

Rome Beauty ~ 172, 175

Seedling (new) Nelson Co., Va 144

Shockley 143, 172

INDEX. 333

PAGE.

Siberian Crab 147

Smoke House 148, l.'>8

Smith's Ciller - 1.33, 143

Spice Sweet Kil

Starke Apple — "Western 170

Sylvester 170

Strawberry 16)

Striped July 141

Summer Belletleur a 151

Summerour Julian 152

Summer. Pippin KU

Summer Queen, iCoxe) 143, 101

Summer Sweet Paradise, (Downing) 102

Summer Rose 143, 100

Sops of Wine, (Homony) 121, 174

Stanard — 121

Stone Weill, (new) Lunenburg Co., Va 101)

Swarr, Mean/ ^7:>^/e— Delaware 107

Sweet Red Streak 153

Sweet Genet, (new) 121, 170

Sweet Bough 101

Sweet June 145

Sweet Bough, large 151

Taunton — Georgia 178

Twenty Ounce Apple 108

Tulpeholken 158

Tyler's Rennet, Tyler's Sweet Reinette, (new) Va 170

Transcendant Crab 147

Yandevere, (Delaware) 121, 149, 153

Via, (new) Va 144

Wagener — Western 175

AVall — Georgia 175

Waxea Apple, Bean. Va 149

Waugh's Crab 143

Welltbrd"s Yellow 143

White Juneating, May Apple, Va 143, 151, 101

White Spanish, Reinette ..: 120

White Winter Pear main 107

White Bellefieur. Woolman's Long 150

William's Favorite 101

Winter Sweet Paradise 143, 156

Wine Apple. Haj/e's Winter, Penn. Red Streak 143, 150, 175

Wine Sap — Delaware 143, 155, 172

Woolman's Harvest 15 1

Yancey's Prize, (new) Va 144

Yellow June w 144

Yopp's Favorite — Georgia 172

Yellow Bellefleur 145, 143. 103

York Imperial 143

Note. — The Pound, Wall and Summerour, are Synonymous names
for Nickajack.

INDEX TO PEACHES,

PAGE.

Atlanta 293, 298

Allen's Walpole 294

Amelia 300

Anna Ruffin— Southern 288

Austin's Late Red — Georgia 309

Basbvs 309

Bafdwins Late Free 303, 308

Baltimore Beauty — Maryland 287

Batchelder ' 317

Bletcher'a 317

Blood ClinjT, (Fr.) 295

Belle deVitry . (Fr.j 281

Bellegarde, (Fr.) 281

Bordeaux 309

Brayuard's Yellow— Va 285

Bergen's Yellow — Long Island 287

Brenneman Cling — Southern 291

Briggs, iColes) 293

Canar}' — Georgia 316

Catharine— English 292

Chinese Cling— China 2:)1, 306

Columbia 286, 294

Crawford's Early 284

Crawford's Late 284

Delce's Cling — Tennessee 307

Demming's September — Georgia 309

Doubled Blossomed.^ 296

Double Montague — French 275

Druid Hill— Maryland 278

Duff Yellow— Georgia 317

Early Ann, (old English) 276

Early Newington, Free Stone 292

Early Sweet Water 277

Early York, (serrate) 275

Early TiUotson 275, 292

Eaton's Golden 310

Elmyra 309

Flat Peach of China 297

Fleita's St. John — Geoi'gia 316

Flewellen — Georgia 317

Foster, (new 298

Fruitland, (seedling) _, 316

Gaylord— Miss 310

George the Fourth :. 276

Georgia Cling 317

Goode's October — Georgia 317

Gorgas ^82

INDEX. 335

vxr.E.

Grand Admirable 991

Grand Turk ojy

Griswold 31 7

Great Eastern — Georgia oj7

Hale's Early 276

Hale's Melocoton 294

Hateli — Connecticut 287 293

Hartshorn, (Coles) 529

Heath Cling, Heath, Late White— Georgia 288, 294. 310

Heath, freestone — Georgia 280 288

Honey Peach — South Carolira 276

Indian Blood — Georgia 290

Iron House — I\Iiddle Tennessee SQij

Italian Dwarf. 296

Julia — Aikin, S. C 3J7

Late Admirable 278 308

Lady Parham — Georgia 309

Lagrange — New Jersey 280

Large Early York — Flushing, N. Y 282

Liarge White Cling — New York 289

Large White English Cling 30(5

Lemon Cling, Kenneli/'s Cling — South Carolina 21)0, 29-5

Merriam, (Coles) 287

Mitch el's Mammoth — (^reorgia 318

Monstrous Pavie — French 289

Moore's Red Rareripe — Ohio 280

Morris' White Rareripe 274

Morris' Red Rareripe 280

Napoleon — Georgia 317

Nix's Late — Georgia 307

Noblesse — English 282

Nuimeg White — European 282

Nutmeg Red — European 282

Old Mixon Free — American 277

OldMixon Cling— European 290,295

O'Gwynn — Georgia 318

Orange Cling 292

Osceola, (Bel air) Georgia 300

Owen's — Georgia 317

President — Long Island 279

President Church — Georgia 317

Prince of Wales, (new) 298

Princes of Wales 298

Picquet's Late — Georgia 309

Pine Apple Clinfj— Georgia 310

Pool's Large Yellow 286

Pucelle de Malines 317

Pyramidal, (ornamental) «. 2',I7

Red Magdalene — Fr 291

Red Cheek Melocoton 285

Red Rareripe 278

Richmond, (new) New York 298

Royal George 274

336

IXDEX.

Royal Kensington. Grosse Mignonne 279

Salway, fuev/)— English- 2^)8

Scott's October — Georgia 318

Smith's Newington Early— English 291

Smock, Free, St. George — New Jersey 286

Snow 277

Stump the World • 309

Susquehanna — Pennsylvania 288

Teton de Venus 278

Tinsley, October — Georgia. 310

Troth's Early ; 277

Tippecanoe — Philadelphia. 291

Tuft's Rareripe 280

Van Buren's Golden Dwarf 296, 297

Ward's Late 281

Washington — New York 293

Weeping Peach — New York 297

White Blossomed Incomparable 293

White Pine Apple 318

Yellow Alberge 284

Yellow Rareripe 285

LIST OF PEACHES NOT DESCRIBED BUT INCLUDED
IN THE VARIOUS LISTS.

Allen Cling.

Baltimore Rose — Maryland.

Baugh—Georgia.

Belle Beauce (new).

Belle Couquete (new).

Belle Doue (new).

Binford.

Bloodgood's Large Green.

Bradford's Free— Georgia.

Breckenridge — Kentucky.

Brevoort's Morris, Brevort — N.Y.

Catawba — Southern.

Chevvense, Hative, Tardine (new).

Clark's Early — Missouri.

Chapline — Hart Co. Ky.

Cole s Early — American.

Coolidge's Favorite — American.

Congress.

Dabney' s — Mississippi.

Dunnahoo — Georgia.

Early Albert, (new).

Early Admirable.

Early Chelmsford.

Early Silver, (new).

Early Victoria, (new)

Early Yellow Rareripe — Southern.

Edward's Late — Georgia.

Fay's Early Ann.

Gaither's Late— Georgia.

Fi

Golden Dwarf.

Green Catharine — Georgia.

Haine s Eirly Red — New Jersey.

Hunter — Southern.

Hopkinsville, Free— Kentucky.

Hull's Athenian — Georgia.

Jacques Yellow Rareripe — Georgia.

Jerrie's Seedling — Kentucky.

Late liareripe.

Late Heath Free— Southern.

Malta, Belle de Fan's.

Parkers Late— Southern.

Pope's Cling — Kentucky.

Pride of Autumn — Mississippi.

Raymakers, (new).

Raymond Cling.

Rodman's Cling — Georgia.

Rose Hill. Seedling — Georgia.

Scott's Nonpareil— New Jersey.

Sidock's Late Free— Kentucky.

St. Louis — Missouri.

Shanghai Cling.

Vineouse.

Walburton Admirable — England.

Walter's Early— New Tersey.

White Imperial — New York.

^^hite Heads.

White Point.

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