The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-04-21
From the Prairie FarmeI.
POmology.
BY JOHN A. KENNICOTT. M. %.

BY JOHN A. KENNIcorT, D.
fomoiogy, or the art science of fruit growing, is
'nat branch OF Horticulture, which most readily COM
min's the attention of general readers,
fi'st, 1t promises luXures which all can anprec;
ate, and every man who owns a biz of ground can af
ford to enjoy; and
secondly, the money value Of its product, as a pay
ing business can be reokoned with as much certainty
as a crop OF wheat or clip of wool.
Heretofore farmers as body have been slow to
enter upon Tut culture a legitimate part of their
""h''ioaA system OF production, for market purpo-
ses. i~FN
ne causes OF this are obvious as they are dis
erenitahie to the shrewdness aud calculation Of the
Ans American farmer and may be set down as one
"i The bns-bears OF ignorance, m,scaculaton, and
encouragement joined to The national hab, Of pro-
cas'ihation IN ali matters not of immediate and
pressing interest.
L" shame some, and encourage others, we will
game these almost extinct old bug bears, and one new
and more tangible fear OF those who are not a,oge,h
err governed by Gtllacy.
me arr oil which we write has been deemed mys-
1tFy, IN winch oaly the Initiated could succeed and
the men who have this bug bear have d cad
ed HE ELECTS o competition, should they happen to
succeed on large scale and then hope has not been
large enough, and the Hardness OF returns om capi-
tai and labor have been much for their patience
ana oi'en their poverty Of means and fine i. must
instructed
tempts at fruit growing have been little beyond dead
trees or unirultull ones ana the failures Of the few
always discourage the many who ignorant Of the
cause.
AT this day, however, the man must be accounted
wiiuly ignorant, ioo)ishy t,mid, who should bring
forward of these Arguments in excuse of his neg
icct 10 plant fruit uees.
East and west there ten large nurseries offuii
trees to-day, where there years ago and
within that time there has been created PLAIN and
rapid road TO the truths of Horticulture and It's
ccssiuil practice, the half century has produced in
any kindred science, or IN almost any science save
that al locomouon, and the transmission Of thoughts
and things.
And then, the far of an production Of fruit
(s Of best writer's observos( may be deferred
ior another century, At least, and we believe for
ever.
Except sorts, like stra yyherries. which will not
bear carriage 10y rairoad-aud perhaps sometimes
Pcaches--'t viii take tweDty yeats yet tor grow
fiut enough for our prcsen, population, and should
there happen 10 be an excess in places, of the
per.>habe fruits, Of which immediate profits NAV have
induced too large planting for the present market
capacity, there viii doubtless be found wavs OF turn
IN the surplus into money by drying and Otherwise
preserving them with their delicious flavor intact;
and once IA the market, viii successfully con-
petc With the very huge supplies which we pur-
chase abroad.
Aud instead of diminishing iunder tho Immense in
good fruits are steadily increasing. Long before there
had been ten bushels of apples gathered in the nort
ein portions oi Illinois and Indiana, remember
buyi's them in Chicago for fifty cents per bnshel.
And they generally cheaper here some Is
ycare ago thaa present, tho not quite So goud.-
Ana 80 to 10 years since in tho region OF the Mo-
hawk, the State Of n. r.. good apples sold as low
enc shilling per hishci, in the orchard and 81 years
ago, We knew peaches, not twenty miles from Roch-
ester freely offered at the same price, aad 10 pnr-
chaser Tor fourth Of the CROP And of the
Seeding peaches IN region that day were re-
ally good; and such crops those healthy old trees
produced, would astonish the people Of HE west.
he demand aud the price Tor good fruits, must Of
necessity continue rcmuncravc, let the planting be
ever 50 extensive, within the hounds Of probability.
We nave scarcely le5ta YET 10 learn the value Of
fruits, 9s economical food, effective medicines, and
powerful prephyl.tic agents. They are now account
ed little more than the uxuries If The rich and prov
lccni; and Yet they are bound to become prime ne
c,sfes Of he, and everyday use ia tie household,
and 81 extensive use tor domestic animals
Pore Wines, tco, viz vet take the place # cad
y rum and whiskey-which we sadly tear legislative
enoctments cannot pat down--and temperance NAV
then ''e something more than name, aud some
whai large exception t" The general ,uls.
The remote, and the uncertain retlTns for the cap
ita and labor devoted to orchards, be consider
ed together; and the wise old often Quoted
ole who plants pears,
Plants for his heirs
Is about the of reasoning in regard to the ard-
ness of returns tom tie orchard and If we take the
vulgar reading, eyeo nds gave authority is found to
be devoid OF truth. We have eaten pears from
standard tree. IN two years after planting; and We
have had seyera, of the best sorts on pear stocks
come IN fail bearins in SIX eight wears. And
d~aitt almost invariably come into profitable bearing
Ia from three 10 FIVE years from the nursery, if prop
erly cultivated.
Many varieties Of the apple show fruit in four or
i've years, AMI some IN two Is this too long wait,
and especially in the Of the pear and ap,le
wtr'e Que Knows that he 'plntug tor his helrs,''
and himself TOO and thai planting mJy out!ast
three generations Of his grateful posterity,