Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-03-25

Gage, have proved the mos. hardy and ap-
pear TO be perfectly exempt from black
knot Morocco and Yellow Egg were de-
cidedly tender Breb crt's Purple aud Coop
er's Large Red are subj sct to black-knot;
Washington is quite harly, but very tardy
bearer. Many varieties received since have
not been as thoroughly tested, some appear
ing never to regain their original vigor after
their removal from New York here, while
Others were unwittingly planted in too wet
oil. We're it not for the ravages of the
curculio, there are no doubt a sufficient
number of varieties that mightbe cultivated
in our climate and soil with highly remun-
erative success. The wild plum, indigenous
in this region, appears to be in some measure
exempt from this insect, and the production
of new varieties from the best seeds that
can be produced through a succession of
seedlings, would, no doubt, be productive
of important results.
The peach crop is 80 uncertain in thi 8
climate that many cultvators have re!in-
pushed its culture altogether. The tree
tlourishes exceedingly well, and although
not hardy In extreme winters, it is rapidly
and easily raised, and produces so abundant
ly while young, that the entire loss of the
trees once IN ten or twelve yeare would not
prevent It's extensive cultivation, and were
! it not for the tenderness of the blossom,
buds when subjected to an extremely low
temperature The average temperature of
our winters is not usually lower than in
| similar ATTITUDES at the East, but the absence
of any great modifying influences, such as
large bodies of water or extensive forests
Immediately at the north and west of us,
renders it probable that some time during
winter IN orther" will pass down over US
with freshness and vigor likely to be dis
astrous to the delicate organization of the
flower buds of the peach, nectarine, apricot
and the more delicate varieties of the
cherry.
Protection, on an extensive scale, by
planting groves and a belt of timber around
every farm would be the most efficient ar
tificial means to ameliorate our climate; in
the meantime very much may be done by
planting in dry soil, encouraging but mod
crete growth and well ripened wood, and
by raising hardy varieties from seeds grown
in this climate. Removing the soil to the
depth of six or eight inches, in August, as
tar as the roots extend, to deprive the tree
of some of its tibrous roots and of its food
| ulu IIlOlouuTCS W w l0tulutu W us pluCt
just before winter, is suggested as likely to
retard the development of the fruit buds
50 as to insure greater degree of hardness.
The culture of sweet cherries is attended
with some difficulties, though perhaps not
insurmountable. Bark bursting used to be
regarded as the chief obstacle to their sue
cess, spirally, at frequent intervals in op-
posite directions, has been recommended
to prevent this. would suggest, as wor-
thy of trial, the application OF thick coat
of fresh cows dung, tempe red perhaps with
slight admixture Of clay, to the trunks
and larger branches, wrapping with old
sacks to remain on from early summer to
late autumn, to soften and make more yield
| ing this outer bark in tho period of greatest
growth in the trunks and branches. Too
| rapid growth should be guarded against by
| Withholding animal mauures and too much
cultivation, and by root pruning if necessary.
Most varieties have been tender in the Bios
som and bud in our most severe whit ers.
This may be owing in some degree to the
same causes as bark-bursting. Late Duke
has proved hardest in this respect, of such
varieties as we have tested. As commonly
cultivated, this valuable class of fruits have
mostly been lost by our late winters. OF
the Morcello class, the Early Richmond is
pre-emnently the cherry. Its hardness,
earliness and very great productiveness, are
qualities which can hardly fail to increase
its popularity.
Grapes.-The cultivation of the vine is
receiving an important impetus by the in
PRODUCTION of many new vari rties, all OF
which claim to be decided Acquisitions
Foreign grapes, for open culture, were many
years since relinquished for isabella and
Cataw ba-until recently the universally
acknowledged standards of excellence among
our native varieties. But in our climate
and soil, in unfavorable seasons, these are
not quite early enough, and in some severe
winters they are not quite hardy above
ground, if unpr detected, while in others the
fbrous roots are mostly killed by frosts.-
By some it is thought Isabella and Catawa-
ba are not quite good enough, even when
perfectly ripened, but upon this point we
would not cavil nor be in haste to obtain
five dollar plants of new varieties, if these
old and long tried friends were only uni
fornly hardy. have large number OF
seeding Fox Grapes, native in New Eng
land, which have been perfectly hardy, root
and branch, for the last fifteen years. This
grape is now extensively used at the East
in the manufacture of excellent wine, simply
by the addition of the requisite quality Of
sugar. The famous Concord is closely llied
to this class, if it does not in reality belong
to it, and for hardness and other valuable
qualities, promises we'll. have fruited it
satisfactorily the two past seasons, but not
quite up to descrip ion. Of other new va
rieties have no personal knowledge except
Diana, which is likely to prove superior to
its parent. Catawba, Rebecca, Delaware
and Union Village are on trial, as among
the most promising, judging from high toned
descriptions. It is indispensably necessary
that the vineyard should be thoroughly
drained, either naturally Or artifcially, and
proper preparation of the ground by
trunching Or sub. soiling will certainly pay.
Next to the grape stands the currant as
wine making fruit. 1t is of the easiest
culture the only deficiency l have met
with in its cultivation is the leaf blight. 1t
has the effect to cause the leaves to fall pre-
maturely. and appears to impair the vi gor
and productiveness to some extent. When
grown upon the north side of close board
fence the shade seems to prevent it. Of the
newer varieties, regard Victoria, Prince
Albert, Cherry, White Grape and Attractor
as superior to all others in any collection,
and decidedly acquisitions.
Blackberries.- this subject you say
"the whole State is in the dark :" you can
not mean prospectively, with the de nsity of
this fruit? Dorchester and Lawton are on
trial-have not fruited yet-think this berry
may be grown probably here-shall proba-
bly, be under the necessity of GOVERN the
canes in winter in order to realize q full
crop every year.
cultivated. The canes should be buried
during winter, if full crop is relied upon.
The Orange is our favorite variety. Fran
coria has done we'll. Ohio Everbearing and
American White should be in every garden