The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-11-19
CAROLINA SPARTAN.
ORIGINAL ESSAYS.
Spartanburg Agricultural Society.
REPORT ON ORCHARDS.

kEPUkT UN ORCHARDS.
Whether We reflect upon the vast impor-
tance Of frait-iits numerous uses in house
hold economy-and the large additions
which il makes to human comfort and hap.
piness; whether we regard the adaptation
of our soil and climate to its successful cul-
tivation, or the pecuniary profit with which
many kinds Of fruit might be raised either
for market, or for rearing and fattening
stock-it may we'll surprise us that its cul.
ture has In our section of the State receiv.
ed so little attention. Who that has had
his eyes fessted and his palate regaed with
profusion of tho finer varieties of the ap
pie, the pear, the peach, the plum, the nee
tarins, the apricot, the cherry, the fig, the
pomegranate, the strawberry and the grape
does not greatly desire repetition of
the same-dcsire also that such likewise
shall be the frequent, yea, constant, enjoy.
ment of all his neighbors? Aud yet, not
uithstandiug the scarcity of all those fruits
among u.s. u IS unquestionabiy true that all
OF them are susceptible of Successful culture
In our climate; and most of them, with
very little trouble or expense, in the highest
perfection aud the greatest abundance. In
view OF these facts, your. committee would
urge upon every citizen the du,y-a duty
which he owes at once to himself and to
his country-ofdirecting his attention some,
what to the cultivation, of some at least of
these fruits. Every man ides away, or
spends in less profitable manner, more
time than would be requisite for crowninc
his board daily with most of these luxu,es
and comforts. Most men also have spare
lots Ct ground, Others have large waste
lands, which could be put TO no other SO
desirable use. Patriotism, health, enjoy
ment of life, the untold delights of umbra-
geous and fruitful grounds, of we!lflled
cellars, and richly stored !4rders-all these
unite, as strong incentives to this duty. In
the Judgment also of your committee, men
Of intelligence and means could hardly, at
this stage Of our agricultural advancement.
do higher service to their country and
their fellow men, then by procuring, from
other parts of our country and from abroad.
the best known varieties of these several
kinds Of fruit, and setting an example of the
most successful modes of culture.
Orchardists and Gardeners are needed
In different sections of the country-men
who will rear, in abundant supply, all the
different kinds of fruit bearing trees, shrubs,
vines and plants which it may be desirable
to cultivate, and furnish them at a moder.
ate cost to others. But in the absence of
any such sources of supply, your committee
would urge upon each family the mpor-
tance of doing all that lies in their power
toward an early supply by their own
efforts. If the choicest kinds cannot be at
once procured, plant and raise the, best you
can! The commones. kinds are better than
none. by all means, let each one plant a
Sun all nursery-rear in rich spot ofground
q good supply of seedlings. These can be
afterwards grated, if upon trial they be
found not to bear desirable fruit. Those
who have the means Of doing so. would do
well to procure few specimens of the cboi.
cest varieties of all the kinds of frui, and
from these multiply, at will, for themselves
and others. Thus might our whole conn.
try, In few years, become an EIysium both
10 beauty and fruitfalnsss. The advanta.
ges oil this kind ofcultIre TO our populu,iop.
both 10 a moral aud hysica point of light,
cannot we'll be estimated. Industry. tenn.
Perance, economy in the expenses of living,
attachment to their homes, cheerfulness and
haPpiness--these are some of the known
ana certain results. But it is not TO the
family use, nor yet to the immediate com.
lorts ot man only, that we should look. Be. |
yond these, the cultivation of fruits LARGELY
promises most important benefits to our
country. The scarcity Of meats, and their
bigh prices, are an alarming
feature OF the present state of things. As
Inc lands become worn and the consump.
ton OF oread-stuffs increases by the Increase
OF population, the difficulty of raising sufli.
cIent gram for the food of stock and nonI. |
Try must still more increase. FRU;rs must
supply tbs ioant. They will grow on lands
TOO much exhausted, and too broken far
The production Of grain-wilJ reoui,e less
labor also Than any other product Of tho
same value; and yet there is nothing better
adapted TO the growth and support Of either
Iwioe or poultry than fruits Of the richer
"a echar'ne qualities. A model arrange