Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-02-20

REMARKS on FRUIT OCLfURH M MINNEsOTA.-
L. NJ. Ford & Co., in their recent catalogue, on
Fruit Culture, make the following interesting re-
marks. They will be read with avidity by East
ern friends, and by those who still persist that
the climate of Minnesota is too cold to raise
sscawn." 'r,h y .sH .- st.,
ssThere are doubtless, at the present time, not q
few who are resolved to bid ndieu to Minnesota,
with all is charms and vast resources, for less
congenial cline, if it is really demonstrated that
our soil and climate are not adapted to the cult
walton of Fruit. For ourselves we shall be among
the number to join the general exodus, and take
up our march for Nebraska or some other place,
where the greatest luxury of life may be enjoyed,
even though the eating thereof be intermingled
with occasional ''ager shakes"
1t is now four years SINCE wo planted the first
trees in our grounds, and Notwithstanding all, or
nearly all, who commenced about the same time
abandoned the business in dispair. and those who
had planted orchards predicted that we would
not succeed; yet we persevered amid all the dis
couragments, determined, if possible, to solve the
important problem, with regard to fruit growing
in this Territory. We are now unable to say
that we have thus far succeeded beyond our own
expectations. 1t is true our Apple and Cherry
trees have been somewhat affected during the
Winter, and particularly the small trees, while
our Pears have suffered but little, if any. This
is more favorable result than had anticipated,
and especially from the pear on Ounce stocks.
From personal inspection Of trees that have
been planted in different parts of the Territory,
find the result to be very much the same under
similar treatment. 1t is, however impossible
to tell what the future may develop, yet we
have reason to be quite satisfied with the past.
Many have failed in their efforts, but we learn
that the same difficulties and prejudces prevailed
in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin at an early day,
where now they growing better fruit than
their Eastern neighbors. .4.lst
From what information and experience we
have gained from the past, We have arrived at the
following conclusions.
First: That the Apple and Cherry should not
be planted on our rich and damp soils, or in sit
nations too much exposed. 100
Second: That the ground about young trees
should be we'll cultivated during the fore part of
the saeson, but left untouched after July. {.
The great difficulty seems to be not in the En-
IRENE cold in Winter, but in the immaturity Of
the GOOD. Our soil is generally so rich and our
Autumns so warm and pleasant, that young APP
pie Trees especially, grow very late. The cold
weather, therefore, comes on before the wood be-
comes ripened. We are inclined to think this
may be obviated by following the above directions
But in order to keep the ground in proper con-
dition and free from weeds, mulching should be
kept about the tree, which must be watched in
winter or mice will be troublesome, unless the
snow is trodden down.
In the case of Pears and Plums, there seems to
be but little trouble from the fact that the wood
ripens early in the season. They need richer
soil and better culture-Dwarf Pears in particu-
lar must be we'll attended, or else they will not
be very profitable" ..r.. s.tf