The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-02-26
FARMERS, MEETING AT THE
CAPITOL.
Cultivation of Apple Trees.

/
cussion was mainly upon the growing Of
apple trees. Mr.. Dixon. of Wlnona
equity, closed his remarks, in which he
had given instances Of successful rearing
Of orchards in his county, by saying that
where a fair start has been made, the
cultivation of apples is paying better than
raising grain.
In answer to aquestiOn from Mr.. SMITH,
he added, that in the absence of direc-
tons from nurserymen, generally given
for planting trees, it was his experience
that the young trees should be put little
deeper in the ground when transplanted,
and that, as the tree was rocked by the
wind, pushing the dirt away from the
trunk, the hole should be filled to keep it
in position. He thought it was a good
plan to mulch them with straw or coarse
manure in the fall, which keeps in the
frost in the spring
M. HuEY, of Nicollet, thought this
should be done after the ground is thor
| oughly frozen. Unless fine manure was
used, mulching in the early fall would pre-
vent the ground freezing around the roots.
Mr. Dixon said that Mr. HUEY was I'M
doubtedly correct, though in this country
there is not SO much danger but what the
frost would penetrate through the cover
ing into the ground. The object of the
covering is 10 keep in the frost in the
spring.
Mr. HUEY asked if it would not be bet
ter to cover around the tee in spring in
stead of tall.
Mr. DIXON. 1t probably would. The
mulching holds moisture, and would get
rotted and mixed with the soil before fall,
and then there ought to be new dressing.
Mr.. LEE named the following and other
varieties of apples, originating in Russia,
Germany, Scotland, Canada, Vermont,
Northern New York, &C., Red Astracan,
Duchess of Aldenburg, Alexandria, St. Law
renee, Oswald Pippin, Gravenstein, two
varieties Of Sweets, Zone from Keeseville,
New York, the other from Rhode island,)
Hawthornton, Red Canada, Bailey Sweet,
&c. Of the eighteen varieties named he had
seen the majority bearing in Wisconsin,
and Others in Minnesota. His authority
for Others named was from Mr.. DOwNIR
(Rural Ne,o Yorker and Mr.. BARRY.
All know that SO far as climate is con-
cerned, fruit that will grow in Russia
ought to live here. Most of these varieties
are summer and fall apples. At late
meeting of horticulturists of New England
and New York, at Rochester, New York,
list of twelve varieties deemed best for
cultivation and for market and table
use. included several Of the varieties
here named. In spending summer in
Northern New York and Canada, be had
learned that there, as we'll as here, trees
set out with southern exposure, and
without protection, were destroyed. The
| Red Astracan and St. Lawrence stood
| among the first of favorites there. He
| had met Mr.. MITCHELL, of Baytown, who
| stated that Mr.. Ford, in the spring OF
| 1856, set out a variety Of trees, a majority
| of which were standard, and although he
took the best care of them, every standard
was killed to the ground, while three va
rieties Of dwarf trees lived and were
healthy and vigorous. He inquired, and
found that the location was good, the soil
light, but no protection was given them.
No boards were put up for the protection
of the trees as he { Mr.. LEE) has recon-
mended.
Mr.. LEES theory as to the planting and
treatment of apple trees, was that it was
most important to select hardy varieties.
They should have dry soil, of which there
is q large amount here, most of our lands re-
curing no draining for orchards. The
ground should be well fortified. Plant the
same depth as in the nursery, and mulch
well for the purpose of keeping the ground
moist in the dry season. Protect the
trees with bundles of straw or cloth to
shield them from the sun. II is important
thas in the fall earth should be thrown
over the roots, q few inches in depth,
for a foot or two next the trunk. In the
spring early put coarse manure or straw
about them. There have been frosts as
late as May, in this country, that would
kill young trees. After the first Of
May ia the best season for planting.
The ground is then warm and the tree soon
starts to grow. In the winter we some
times have freezing days following sudden
thaws, which will destroy trees not pro-
tected. He would recommend planting
on northerly slope, because the san does