Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-03-23


The species of crab from which all our
sorts Of apples have originated, is wild in
most parts of Europe. There are, indeed,
two or three kinds of wild crab belonging to
this country Yet none of our cultivated
varieties Of apples have been raised from
these, but from the seeds of the species
brought here from Europe.
The apple tree is, however, most perfect
" naturazed in America. And in the north
ern and middle parts Of the United States it
succeeds as well, or as we believe, better, than
in any other part of the world.
The most celebrated apples in Europe are
not superior to many Of the varieties origin
ated here. New England can show her Will
liams, her Porter and Baldwin, which are SUI
perior to any foreign variety. No better
proof of the perfect adoption of our climate
and soil to this tree can be desired, than the
seemingly spontaneous production OF the
above named varieties. The apple tree will
grow on a great variety of soils, but it SCI
dom thrives on very dry, sandy, or soil satu-
rated with moisture Its favorite soil in all
countries is strong loan Of calcareous OF
lime stone nature. A deep, grayelly, marty
or clayey land, or strong sandy loan on
gravclly subsoil,, often produces the largest
crops, and the greatest longevity Of the tree
Nearly all soils can be prepared for heal
thy growth Of the apple. Moist land can be
dr@"ed. | have seen very fine orchards on
reclaimed land, or land naturally suitable tor
cedar and ash, which trenching had made
warm, and cultivation had made iriablc. Al.
so, some of the best orchards in New Eng land
are on groyellv or sandy soil which have been
dressed with clay, or irrigated. Generally a
sandy soil without dressing with clay or irri-
eating, should not be selected for the apple
archard. Fine, moist soil should be thor
oughly trenched before setting the young
trees. An a late meeting of the Pomolos.
cal ,!o;iety, in New York, it was decided that
the apple could not be grown with profit OF
gravelIy Or sandy soil, unless dressing q
clay WAS applied, and where clay could no
be procured, the owner was advised to leav
iot a more congenial soil. In this State thor
is an Abundance Of soil suitable for the apple
Wnerc the bGittrnNt, the tar, and the rorh
mapht flourish the apple can he cultivate
with profit.
Situation is, perhaps, Of as much impo,
lance rs soil, Or even cultivation. In Eng
land it has been ascertained that the best OF
chards were on a western Or Northwestern
slope. On an eastern, Or southern slope, tn
trees were less healthy, less fruitful and les
inclined to longevity. In Vermont. also, til
same rule holds true in great measure, es
pcoiaIly in the valleys. The largest and old
est trees on the earth are where the climat
is very even Sir John Franklin, in his ac
count Of his overland route to the frozen re
gions, described pines in Norway from 200 t
SOC ltet i'll height, and from II to 20 feet i
diameter, on land where the frost is never en-
tircy out Of the ground. Also the larg
trees of California are On elevated land wher
the temperature is very even, and is not liza
bic to sudden extreme, Of heat, immediatc
followed Wy severe cold or low temperature
These trees have grown slow, their Year.
grain being so thin that the naked eye Ca
barely detect it. Now, it is not the sever
cold which we should avoid SO much, as it
the morning sun, or the sudden change frol
a low to IA high temperature. All vegetable
| have no doubt, might be frozen, and if tn
frost was removed properly, but little injur
would be sustained. A fish may be take
from the water on cold day, and frozen il
stantly; and if he remains frozen for sever,
days and is immersed in cold water, that ii
frost may be removed gradually, resuscitatio
takes place, and the fish has apparently II
cciyed no injury except the loss OF sight.
So, also, with field of corn, or vines.
severe frost may stifen every leaf but if
dense fog covers the earth before dawn an
soften the rays Of the sun no damage is rea
iIcl.
II fellow creature freezes a member,
the frost is removed slowly and properly ,pai
seldom follows.
When the fruit troe is in full bloom and
stihtned by frost, less injury is done on
western slope than on on an eastern. NJ;
ny people in New York and New Jersey plal
peach trees on the north side OF walls, tenc,
and buildings, finding them much more frni
lu and longer lived. In extreme cold weatl
or, it mas been asccrtaincd that the mercu!
falls Ave degrees lower in valley than on
elevation 100 feet high, and at noon on
clear day in winter, the mercury will rise fl,
degrees higher thauit will on an elevation
100 or 200 it. Mr.. Editor, the change
your village is often 10 deg greater in !.
hours than nj the Centre OF Randolph. A
trees, plants and and animals that are fleet,
BY the sudden changes suffer more at Vol
place than on more elevated localities.
Orchards on the western slope have usla
ly iiourished where the soil was congenial
their growth, but seldom do we find health
orchard in the valleys, when on an eastern
south'n Store. It has become proverbial amor
these mountains, that apple trees will n
!; flourish on the sandy soil of the Valleys
Cultivators say the roots run down so far TIL
, it spols the tree. The facts are, all arour
is one mass oGdry sand,
, "And not drop to drink"
The meadow land should be properly pr
pared for trees before planting, either
draining irrisating, Or by a clay and ma
dressing, and then as good fruit can be grow
us ever decora ted table.
, The southern or eastern slope of high lal
: | am inclined to prefer, as the trees are
injured by the sudden changes and in tn
: cold climate the fruit is of higher flaw
than when grown on highland of northe
Y or western slope. Or if on low land mort
: ern or western slope should be selected.
it on the plains, select strong loan of q
e careous or lime stone nature.
e LEWIS H. SPEAR.
l Bra'ntree, Feb. 81, 1854.
r MARCH OF SURGICAL SKILL.--Leopod, Du
. Il 1 81