Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-06-14

Generally our native fruits are superb
or to foreign, both in vigor Of tree and
hardness, and in many cases our native
fruits are equal to the foreign in quality.
We have but very few foreign apples
that are worth culliva,ing; nearly all our
best standard kinds are natives.
The greater part of the foreign pears
cultivated in this country are only adap-
ted 10 the garden, or other sheltered To-
cations, and the trees are generally Of =
dwarfish habit. They will not flourish
under common orchard management and
exposure. They often dwindle away
under the rigor Of our cold winters and
hot summers. But our native pears are
generally vigorous, long-lived, hardy and
productive; aud many Of are FIRST rate
fruits. Some of them. that have endured
the storms of one or two hundred win
ters, are still standing as firm monuments
Of the hardness Of our native pears.
Some of our native pear trees have
borne ten or twelve barrels of iruit in
one season, and few have produced far
more. We have seen Harvard pear
tree that yielded nine barrels of fruit in
one year, which was sold at $5 per barrel.
We have an old tree from which we gath
cred eleven bushels of fruit, after cutting
off lis top very literally for two years.
tor the purpose Of grating. None of
the fine varieties that have been impor-
ted will compare in size with these ven
cradle standards of the past and present
age. Generally, in New England, we
must rely mostly on our native pears,
or do as we now are under the necessity
of doing, after spending great deal Of
time aud money on pears-go without
them. As this is unpleasant, we get nei-
.her profit nor pleasure for this fancy
work.
We have native peaches equal in quail
ty to the best imported kinds, and they
are far more hardy for northern culture.
When our horticulturisls learn the impor-
tance Of cultivating not only native kinds,
but natives of tae north, they will not
complain so much Of the failure of this
crop.
A good share Of our finest cherries and
plums are natives, and the natives are for
ming our largest and longer-lived trees.
They are becoming stately ornaments to
rural scenery, while many OF the foreign
varieties, though frequently vigorous for
few years, are comparative dxarfs.
Nearly all our valuable Strawberries
are natives. Houghlon's goosebsrry NOT
oily far excels any foreign variety, bu.
some cultivators consider it SO much bet
ter that they have excluded all other
kinds from their grounds. We feel the
want Of more native small fruits, that we,
may have varieties adapted to our cli-
mate; and the enterprising spirit that now
prevails will soon produce them.
Too much attention has been given to
foreign fruits, to the neglect of our own
nutiye varieties. Some horticulturists
have ransacked all Europe for new fruits.
while native kinds have sprung up, -four
ished for many years within half an
hours walk of their dwellings, yielding
fruits equal, and Far superior in hardness.
to the foreign kinds that have been i'm
ported and sold at higher prices. This
zeal for foreign kinds Of fruit would have
a good effect, il there was correspond
ing attention given to our natives, that
they might be brought to public notice,
and duly compared with exotics. Or il
new foreign fruits, Of high pretensions.
were introduced merely Tor experiment.
and not for speculation, attention TO the
the subject would be commendable.-
But the sale of trees at enormous prices.
which on trial prove worthless, has
very dlscouraging effect, especially oa be.
ginners in frui. culture. .-4New EngLasd
Farmer.