Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1861-11-15
From the Gardensr's Monthly.
A Visit to the Knox Fruit Farm.

]
| Rev. J. Knox, in the vicinity ot Pittsburg, Pa
It is undeniaLly the NEST extensive establish
ment. Of the kind 10 the United States and
notwithstanding its large size, is as thoroughly
and systematically cultivated as any other TO
| be found in The country, however limited in
extent. From the central position occupied
by the family mansion, the eye takes in at a
glance over one hundred acres, within single
enclosure, almost every rod of which is occupied
with fruit trees, vines and plants, apples. peach
es, grapes, Strawberries bIackberries, raspber-
ries, gooseberries, currants, &C., all in the
highest state Of luxuriant growth, and all
receiving as clean and thorough culture as is
bestowed upon a good garden. The place has
already been described in detail, and do not
propose going over the same ground again, but
simply design noticing few OF the prominent
features, which, during recent visit, especially
attracted my attention and ELECTED my admira-
tion.
Mr.. Knox makes the culture Of the straw
b0rry for market and raising plants for sale,
speciality.
He has been called the Strawberry King =
and if unquestionabIe pre-eminence in this
branch of fruit-culture can entitle person to
the appellation, it IS Justly bestowed. The
statement that he has fifty acres in Strawberries
seems almost Incredible but walk over the
place, and an examination of the extent Of the
plantations, cannot fail to satisfy the most
skeptical, that the amount of ground above
indicated is thus occupied. During the last
season the hands employed 10 picking and
sending fruit to market numbered at times as
bs,rh k,,r lavv n
were sent in large quantities to New York,
Philadelphia, Buffalo, Chicago. Detroit, and
most Of the other cities Of the North and
West,-some going even to Canada. In con-
sequence Of the size and handsome appearance
Of the fruit (the effect of thorough culture and
the selection of choice varietiesl it brought in
most cases fully double the price obtained for
such as is ordinarily TO be found in our city
markets. Mr.. Knox purchases and tests every
new variety that appears, and the number OF
sorts comprised in his specimen bed, each oc-
cupying distinct row, considerably exceeds
one hundred. Some Of them are, of course,
of but little value,-many Of them are found
desirable for general collection and a few
are esteemed worthy of universal culture
First on his list of favoritcs stands Trioo1pLs
de Gand. which, the past season, has fully
maintained its high reputation as q frst-class
berry in all respects, and the extent of his
plantations of this variety, the preparations to
still further extend them, and production Of
milliens of plants, clearly evince the high esti-
nation in which he holds it. Next to T1riomphe
de Gand l believe he now ranks Kilisgs
Goliath and TIOliopes Tictoria while Wilson's
Albany, Jenny Lind baltimore Scarlet, and
several other standard varieties, are still large
" cultivated. Several of the new varieties,
as Fillmore, Downing, &c, promise well, but
have not been sufficiently tested TO establish
their merit. For fruiting. all the-vines are
cultivated in rows two and half feet apart,
and some of them more than thousand feet
in length. The vines are kept free from run
ners, which are removed as they appear by
hand, the effect Of which sextraordinary vigor
of growth, and the formation of numerous and
prominent crowns, which will throw up an
abundance of strong fruit stalks next season.
The ground between the rows is kept perfectly
clear Of weeks by hoe and hand culture; and
the latter part of November the entire beds
are covered with a layer of straw, which
protects the plants during the wiuter,-is
removed IRON the rows in the spring., and
suffered foreman between them during the
summer, acting as a mulch, keeping the ground
moist, protecting the fruit from dirt, checking
the growth Of weeds, and eventually by decay
ing, aiFording nourishment to the soil The
beds for raising plants are entirely distinct
from those for fruiting all the runners are
permitted to grow and root, and the beds So
remote from each other Us to render admixture
impossible; and those purchasing plants Of
Mr.. Knox can do so with full confidence that
fhsy are true to name aud unmixed. The mode
of culture pursued on this place is necessarily
expensive, but experience has demonstrated
that it pays better than q less expensive
system; and therefore its policy even in an
economic ponit of view is fully established.
Next TO Strawberries comes Grapes and
from the exteHt Of his preparations for planting
vines, and the thorough manner in which he
prepares the soil for their reception, it is evil
dent that this will shortly become the leading
| branch of culture and those who now regard
themselves as occupying the front rank as
| grapc-grewers, would do well TO look to their
laurels, lest, ere they are aware of it, they be
transferred to the brow of the Strawberry
King"
The soil and locality of this fine farm seem
TO be admirably adapted TO the growth of thc
vine, dthe thorough culture given them, the
iudicious selection of varieties, and the sys-
tematic and scientific pruning and training
have already produced the most lattering re-
suits, and promise still better for the future
| The assortment embraces oil the older varieties
and most of the new but only few of those
that have proved valuable are largely planted.
The three lavorite varieties are Delarart,
Concord and Hartford Prolifc,--the first valu-
ed on account of its universally conceded good
| qualities both as table and wine grape; the
other two for their hardness, produ ctiveness,
early maturity, and consequent value as market
fruits. Of DelauareS there are a hundred OF
more vines on the place, that have each a ftw
clusters for the first time this season,-tilc
| healthy growth of the vines and the exquisite
beauty and unsurpassed quality Of the fruit,
captivating all beholders; also several hundred
vines (good one year old layers set out last
spring, which arc sight worth looking at,
having made growth of from five to twelve
feet each,-the wood stout and short jented,
and such as would, if permitted, next season,
produce. "a fair crop Of fruit. They will, after
another seasons growth, challenge comparison
with any lot of vines of like age in the country,
aud will richly repay the investment made at
what might appear somewhat extravagant
price in procuring good vines at the start
Fhose who are troubled with the idea that the
Delaware is feeble grower, would be efectu-
ally cured by glance at this let Of vines.
am one Of those who, when it first appear.
ed, formed a decidedly unlavorable opinion o
| the Coneordj and from seiRg it growing ir
several localities in the East, and tasting the
fruit from such vines, my aufavorable impress