Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-08-28
An Hour AMONG THE FRUIT TREES. &C.

An Hous Axose THE FRuIr Trees, &c
On Tuedasy we accepted the invitation Of
Dr. James Weed 10 take 4 ride through his
pomological grounds in this vicinity. From
previous visits, some years since, to his
premises, we knew that he had done much
towards fitting up one Of the most fruitful
and attractive spots to be found in Iowa, but
we were truly surprised latter. going over the
grounds, TO see the extent and perfection of
his labors. Almost every kind Of fruit to be
found in the temperate zone is here in profu-
sion and in perfection. The apple-that
standard fruit of this region-is in endless
variety and in the highest and best state Of
culture. The Doctor will have not less than
IL, 900 bushels of apples this season, besides
fair crop of peaches, pears, plums, sc. He
had also, in their season, abundance of cher
ries, &c. His vineyards are loaded with rich
and luscious Catawbas, Isabellas, Delawares,
Concords, and Foxes the latter variety being
unusually plentiful this year, their only det-
riment being the birds, which are more than
commonly destructive. The Doctor has laid
off a fine drive around and through his or
chards, some three miles in extent, which is
lined with chestnuts trees, many Of them
bearing chestnuts. ed He has also large and
thrifty chestnut grows, (which has grown from
the sssd during the past ten years. 81 s'oos5
But the most novel and perhaps most I'M
portant concern to which our attention was
called was the ''Peach Protector"-a patent
ed invention of the Doctor, which he has
tested to his entire satisfactio as an unfailing
protection Of the peach tree from the rlgors
Of our severe winters. We will not attempt "a
inmate description of the apparatus. Suffice it
TO say that it is 50 constructed as to cover
entirely the peach tree in the winter time
the top covering and the ends being removed
when warm weather sets in, SO as to give
ample ventilation and sunlight. It is an old
saying that . the proof of the pudding is in
eating it." We had this kind of proof, sit.
ting inside the enclosure and eatin from a
tree peaches as healthful in appearance and
with as delicious flavor as any we have
ever tasted in the best orchards of Ohio
The trees under this protector were set out
five years ago and have borne for the first
time this season. They suffered severely
from cold winters before the protector was
put over them, but have since grown as
steadily and thrifty as if in latitude Just
suited to their delicate natures
The Doctor has re-modeled his peach pro.
tector, and is now putting some Up on diff
ferent plan from the first The cost will not
exceed forty dollars. Two Of them, placed
side by side, will cover square Of forty
feet, sufficient to contain 100 trees, if planted
two feet apart, in rows four feet from each
other. The advantages Of certain crop oil
peaches every year are surely worth the
trouble Of securing them in this way, ~
DR.. Weed feels confident that if fruit rails
ers will turn their attention TO his plan they
will see the philosophy and the utility Of it
II can also be used for the protection Of black
berries. We advise the incredulous to call
and see for themselves.