The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-04-07
Cultivation Of Fru,, Tree. In Minn.so,.

Cultivation Of Fruit Trees In Minnes ota.
The Red Wing Sentinel contains an ex.
celient article on this subject, from which
we take liberal extracts:
We have observed, with much regret, . gen.
erai neglect on the part Of our citizens in plant.
ing fruit trees. Each one seems TO be waiting
to see what success his neighbors have, and
putting II Oh from one year 10 another, think
ng still that one year will not make very much
difference. We are led to these remarks by A
recent inspection OF some apple trees we -
sisted in transplanting, now five years ago
which were then but two years from the seed
and which now are upwards Of three inches in
diameter, and ready to blossom as soon as the
spring Is sufficiently advanced. These trees
also suggest some ideas 10 relation TO the mode
" cultivation.
The trees we me ntion are portion Of q large
number planted IN rows, and but few inches
apart, for the purpose Of beginning nursery,
by Mr.. Thomas j. smith on ground which he
has since cultivated as q garden. The nex
year they were. most Of them, sold at large
profit; but these were left as being Inferior
and have now attained the growth we men.
toned. Some OF our farmers have, from time
to time, obtained trees from below, but have,
almost invariably, had bad luck with them.
They were. too large to bear transplanting,
and great part Of them had been so long out
OF the ground as to have lost all their vigor
Those that have lived are not thrifty, and are
now but little larger than when transplanted,
with no signs Of bearing.
II you obtain trees from below or even from
Minnesota nurseries, they should be not more
than three years from the seed and the second
from the grating. They should be planted in
soil well prepared by previous cultivation, and
should be cultivated for three or four years
after.
But it will be far better and cheaper, for the
farmer 10 SOW the seed himself; and We think
he will get fruit the sooner for it, There are
but few nurseries in Minnesota; not enough to
supply one-tenth OF what should be the demand,
and It 10 very risky to obtain trees even from
them. They will have to be sometime out of
the ground and are likely TO be much Injured in
taking them up and transporting them across the
country. 1t will not cost the farmer fifty cents to
SOW seeds sufficient for a large orchard. They
should be grated the second year, close to the
ground-s thing which almost every farmer
can do at all events some person In his neigh.
borhood Ia competent The CRAFTS may be
brought from below with but slight fear Of In
jury. 1t shosld be done little before the sea.
son OF blossomng, although II will do at that
time. They can be taken up and transplanted
after the fourth year. and II this ia carefully
done. It will not retard their growth one mo
ment. The same with pears, plums and
cherries, although the latter two should be
"budded" inste ad OF grated" These fruits
will flourish in Minnesota AZ we'll as in any part
OF the world
The following about peaches is worth con.
sideration
!, ia generally thought peaches will not do
well here. This we believe TO be a mistake
all they require is to be sheltered. Mr.. Robert
l.. Philips has some fac young trees ready to
blossom this spring. His plan il to plant them
IN buroak thcket. An aspen thicket is still
better. The ground 10 so rich ~ to produce a
vigorous growth, although the aspen aud oak
stand so thick about them as 10 almost conceal
them from sight, IL ia under such circ umstan
ees that the finest quality and most luxurant
growth OF our wild fruits-crab apples, plums
and cherries are found.