The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-09-18
seasonable Hints to Fruit Raisers.


There are many points in fruit manage
ment at the present season Of the year well
known TO skilful cultivators, but often for
gotten or overlooked, and some OF them but
Little understood by those Of less experience.
A few il may not be now out OF season
to mention.
GATHERING PE,Rs. There is scarcely
variety Of the pear that is not improved In
quality by picking before mature, and rip
ening in the house. Some good summer
pears are worthless if allowed to ripen on
the tree. for example the English Jlrsonelle,
which becomes, IL thus neglected, absolutely
good for nothing and rotten within, while
handsome and fair outwardly. The Bart
lett, although not decaying at the core, re-
tains more richness Of favor by house-ripen-
ing, and what Is singular, If ripened for
or two in the dark, often exhibits
beautiful red cheek when nothing but vel.
low skin could be seen if left exposed on the
tree.
CARKr,SH,SptiSo. Mankind consists Of
two grand diyisions,-the careless and circ
fal. Each individual may be assigned his
place under these two great heads, by
Observing how he picks or gathers fruit
The careless shake the crop down on the
ground, or If picked by hand, throw the
specimens into the basket, rather than carry
aud deposit them carefully. When they
empty basket into barrel or bin, the
fruit Is poured in so tumultuously, rs to
sound at distlncs something like thunder.
Such persons ''wonder" why they have such
"poor luck" in keeping fruis-is nearly oil
rots prematurely. The wav in which X. l..
PILL has his Newtown pippins gathered is
one great reason Of his success and high prof.
It's in foreign markets. His men gather the
apples by means Of hooked baskets suspen-
ded in the trce-the apples, as gathered, are
laid one at time in the bottom of the has
ket, and when filled the man comes down
and places two ut time in the two bushel
baskets To prevent possibility OF bruising,
these are drawn to the fruit house on sled
by oxen, and two apples only are taken out
a, time till all arc carefully deposited on
the floor. When barrelled, they are drawn
ON a sled to the river, and arc carried, not
rolled, on board the steamer; hen shipped
for England, one barrel is hoisted at time,
and cought on mans shoulder at the ship
and carried by two men and deposited in
place. When again unloaded the same care
is observed, the barrels being carried of on
hand barrow. Throughout the whole pro
IS the same care is observed rs in carrying
looking glass. This is taking too much
trouble, by all Odds" exclaims some care
less person, who would prefer the decay OF
his apples, and the loss Of his nett profits
IN market, to the greatly dreaded ",rouble'
Of being careful. He can have his own choice
IN the matter but il is hardly worth while
70 plant or raise trees and then throw away
their products.
MrLcuISG, placed around trees early in
the season, if Of such nature as to invite
mice, should be carefully removed as soon
IS the season for g.owing has terminated,
which is usually about the pre'ent time.
PR,p,Rrxo oRouSp.-Fruit raisers intend
INC TO Sc, ou, trees, and who know the ad'
ran.agss Of good we'll prepared soil, should
,,ve early attention to its proper prepara.
uon and those who do not know its adyan.
taces should now make tho trial. Many
western soils are sufficiently fertile, and 9th
.u not; but in the eastern and middle
States, all need enriching. The antumn ap'
plcation of manure is especially valuable
tor frui, trees, which need u thorough incor'
poration with the soil before receiving the
ooots. Freshly applied, badly mixed ma
aure, may do for some crops, but not fo'
iruit trees. and well decayed composs are
| always the best. We lately observed an ex
pertinent showing the difference in the pres
snt seasons growth between last autumn
and las, springs application OF manure, the
growth Of the former being about triple the
latter. There are various ways Of enrich
ing the soil for trces,by digging large holes
nv subsoil and trench blowing, &c but N