Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-10-18
THE GAZETTE.
TUESDAY MORNING. OCTOBER Is. 1859.
PLANTING FRUIT TREES, &c.. IN VA.

PLANTING FRUIT TREES. &C.. IN VA
The season is rapidly preaching for plant
ing fiuit trees, shade trees, aud shrubbery IN
general, and we take advantage Of the "cca-
sion tn address few words of exhortatiOn,
caution and warning to our country rea.
ders We rejoice to know that far more in
terest is felt among our farmers in this con
nectiou now than formerly. They are wax
ing up to the importance OF planting orch
ards and identifying the homestead, and We
sincerely desire to do somewhat To increase
their zeal in this good work, and TO give it
proper direction.
Every farmer, be his means ever 80 large
or little. ought to have his farm abundantly
stocked with the choicest fruit trees, and will
find every such tree q source both ofproft and
pleasure. The large demand for fruits OF
every kind in our large cities, insures a pro-
fit TO the fruit raiser, and we need hardly re-
mind our readers of the pleasures which are
dependent upon the products Of the orchard
Every family in the country knows something
Of this and many sigh for enjoyments
which are denied to them by the stinginess
or shortsightedness ofthe head Of the family.
A good supply Of apples for winter use is no
mean item in the provision of every house
hold, wanting which nothing can be substitu-
ted that will meet the wants and wishes OF
the family
The first cost Of good orchard is small. :
Nurserymen in all parts Of the country are
raising large supplies oftrees to meet the IN
creasng wants Of the farming community,
and as well for the sake of heavy sales as 10
promote the cultivation Of fruits, these trees
are offered at very low prices. Twenty or
thirty dollars will buy hundred Of the best
fruit trees. and the additional cost of carriage
and plantingis hardly worth reckoning
Who would grudge the payment Of so small
a sum, when 50 much is to be gained
by the expenditure? What Virginia farmer
can plead inability. as reason for not hav-
ing an orchard, when the lack can be supplied
at 80 small costf Very few We apprehcnd
can be found, who are not abundantly able
10 buy few hundred trees, TO be planted ut
some convenient place upon the farm, and
we urgently advise all our readers who
are without orchards, to make immediate
arrangements to supply themselves with
trees.
But even those who are raising fruit, ought
by no means to rest contented with what
they have done already. Fruit trees, like
forest trees. are subject to decay, and in the
progress Of years. orchards die out, unless
they are constantly Supplied with new trees.
That is according to the course of nature.
aud the true policy for the farmer is to plant
trees from year to year and every year, So
that AS one tree attains its maximum and
dies, there may he another, young and VI
gorOus, to fill its place. From the neglect
of this prudential arrangement, We have
known farmers to find themselves at the end
Of few years entirely without truit-bearing
trees in their orchards Every man should
plant few trees every year that he lives and
cultivatcs farm.
Whether making q new orchard or re-
plenishing an old one, be sure Of one thing,
that none but the best trees are planted
And by the best trees, We mean not only
that they shall be Of the best variety ct trut
tree known, but also that Of the variety there
be selected healthy. thrifty trees, which pro,
mise well when planted in the orchard. 1t
is always true economy to buy the best,
even, ii the original cost is more. The best
plough. the best harrow, the best threshing
machine, the best reaper. is cheaper at high
price than q more Indifferent article, which
costs less money, and the same is true Of
whatever man has :" buy. Nothing Is
gained by the purchase of an inferior article
at lower price, when superior article is
to be had even at a somewhat higher prime
cost This is eminently true Of every de
scription Of fruit tree. rs is well attested by
the universal experience of all fruit grow
ers. Many man has repented ofthe penny
wise and pound foolish policy which led him
to plant in his orchard worthless trees be-
cause they cost something less than good
trees would COST JTIyinia Index.