Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-12-25

1t lie always best to follow nature, which is
never wrong. Indeed TO improve upon nature
cannot be done, as the impetus must be given
the life and vitaity--by nature. We can
only direct. But we must be careful in difec-
ting that we urge not the natural out Of its
course. Thus We employ manure abundantly
often in raising fruits and trees which proves
detrimental 1t gets up an excess of growth
and thwatts ltuitfulness. Thus many trees
have been killed, and thousands iui ured. The
soil is too strong-stronger than the plant or
the trees is accustomed to. Hence It will fail in
such soil--and if it had no other, it would be-
come extinct. This would be one OF the many
causes of the destruction Of the Flora of the
world thousands Of plants--nay, millions
have beea destroyed, and the only evidence OF
their existence is their fossil remains.
We cannot therefore outrage nature with
impunity. The natural soil is the only true
soil of plant---the soil adapted to it. Not
that all plants have found and do occupy the
soil favorable to them. There is, doubtless, a
chance Tor dissemination. We see this in the
various fruits and vegetables Of the world,
which have been transported over the globe (;
and distance often has no influence, as well as
soil, climate alone having effect, or more than
difference. We, therefore test fruit before
we engage largely in its cultivation in all of
which il will be seen, we are following nature,
Now, vegetation requires natural, and not
an artfcaly made soil--that is soil above
what the plant is accustomed to. Not only in
soil, but IN treatment Of she plant, is this the
case also.-We prune nature never prunes.
She never has any overgrowth is never (or
IL L.. 49, -.
as well as her fruit with slight exceptions
for, we're exceptions constant, the plant would
become extinct. This is so IN the plants habit.
We should, then, study more the habits Of
nature. We may force nature and produce
even temporary success. but at the expense
eventually Of the life Of the plant. This we
think, is pretty well established Ruthless
pruning ; root pruning hese are indignities
nature viii resent. 1t is laying the knife at
the constitution q the tree. Better lessen the
growth by less rich soil--and you will have q
healthy growth, a growth that will stand the
elements will rpen both fruit and wood will
establish constitution, "a natural, healthfIl Wig
or will induce bearing, well as fair growth
and growth heightened put IN years. Such
treatment gives longevity and reliance.
Such fruits az will besr straining, may be
grown in This way. Where tree will bear
pressure, and yield the more in consequence,
and last a fair term, it is more profitable TO
force it. The safe side, natures, is in general
the best. For we cannot sacrifice hardness,
a result Of the natural course. A fair general
soil is in general best for fruit cultivation, par
ticularly trees. With the smaller iuts, there
is some variety, even some contrast, as the
Wilson Strawberry requires light vegetable
SOIL while the Lawton black berry requires a
strong highly enriched soil. 1t is the nature
of these two plants to have thus different con-
ditions. So Indian corn developes best in a
rich soil wheat in less rich and so on.
The fruit trees are more uniform. The exper-
fence of the world especially of late, is to this
effect. We must give chance we must give
time a fair, but not forced growth, which
seems not to be the condition Of trees, which
require time for development This is neces-
sary to secure hardness, maturity, perfection.
Ii avoids more than the forced way, disease
and all the ills trees are heir to- Oolma'.'s
Rural World.