Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-04-26
FARM, Gardfu & 9lpnsflrpla.
PLANTING TREES.

The genial season has come-the season OF
bursting buds, emerald grasses and singing
birds. 1t is the season, also, of unusual &C
tiyity and labor on the farm, in the garden
and the nursery. There is no lack Of employ
ment for those who ''earn their bread by the
sweat Of the brow We have pIoughiBg,
sowing, manuring planting and pruning to
attend 20; also the transplanting Of fruit and
ornamental trees The farmer or gardner
who overlooks this latter daty, neglects one
of the most important duties Of his profession.
The diversity of soil and climate in this eoun-
try, gives Us remarkable facilities for the cul-
tivatisn Of fruit and no man who owns farm,
garden, or even a houae-lot, should omit set
ting out fruit trees. They cost but little, re.
quire small attention, yet return Us delicious
and health giving food, and add considerably
to the value and attractiveness of our homes
Many persons, intelligent ones, too, live
on farms or country-seats all their lives but
never set out tree. They neglect this duty
because they think lit takes too long for
trees to grow and bear fruit Prodigioas
philosophers Suppose those who ''came
before us s''-our aReestors-entertained the
same selfish notions where would be the
luxuriant fruit that now tiekles our palste ?
Where Not certainly in the blooming or
chards, nor in every village or city market
Instead Of the abundance Of apples, peaches
aud pears the profusion of pIums, cherries
and ether delecacies in the way Of small
fruits, we should ''go hungry for those lux
aries and the noble orchards which beau
uty our farms and diversity the landscape
would became euriosities, and the little gar
den of the poor man would be a comparative
desert, a wild, solitude to himself and fam
ily. This error, mistake, or stupidity in not
planting trees because they are slo,r ia com
ing 10 maturity, or frailbearing, is not valid
it is the excuse of the idle man, the apology
Of the sIuggard, and the subterfuge, evasion
aud shift of those who live upon the labor of
others.
We cannot jump from diaper to broadcloth
We cannot make prize beef out of juvenile
calves we cannot slide from depravity TO
righteousness, nor can we raise or propagate
tree fruits in day or a year. But, by prop
er planting, skillful culture on favorable soils,
we can obtain fruit IN a comparatively brief
time. If we do not live to enjoy the returns
Of our labor, somebody else will-perhaps
your children or your grand children, or may
be foot-sore and travel-weary beggar may
rest beneath the broad, bending branches Of
your orchard he may satisfy the cravings
Of hunger on your fruit, and thank the Great
Father Of all, that you planted, watered,
pruued and protected the trees that continu
ed to bloom, blossom and bear good fruit
while the grass and the daisy nod over your
mouIdenng ashes.
The profits of orchard or tree culture, are
increasing every year. With good manage
ment the fruits oftbe orchard will often bring
more than the productions of the field. Few
orchards, if on good soil and properly cared
for, viii fail TO net one hundred dollars per
acre-often twice OF thrice that amount. The
demand for fine fruit is increasing annually.
and there is no danger of over stocking the
market. But if there was little marketable
value in orchard fruit, it should be cultivated
for its health giving properties-for yourself,
your family and your friends Go on the
principle of increasing domestic comfort OF
perpeuating good health of adding some
thing to the pleasure and happiness of those
who are dependent upon you. Generosity to
posterity, to those who may toll on the same
farm, who may SOW the same fields, who may
s,a+bar fba borraets ae+ar vou o-a s,oDo md
who are at last laid beside you under the
same identical soil you have all cultivated,
should not be forgotten. We all belong to
one great family or brotherhood, of whom
God Is the Great Father.
Spring is favorable time to transplant
fruit trees in the New England and Middle
States. In the South, below thirty six de-
grees, the Autumn is probably the best peri
cd to set out fruit trees. Not SO in the North;
now is the best time, in our opinion. In Sc
lecting trees, avoid purchasing from nurser-
les Of very rich land. for there the young
trees have been advanced too rapidly. They
have been pushed ahead ''for a market = are
perhaps healthy, but are tender and sappy,
and viii not thrive afterwards on ordinary
soils. Again, look for vigorous trees, with
good roots, strong and fbrous with the wood
we'll hardened, and the bark smooth, clean
and healthy-looking. In selecting ground for
fruit trees, choose good, dry soil if the
land is naturally wet, underdrain it, or if it is
thin and shallow, sub-soil it. Of situations,
parties mustjudge for themselves. Low land
is subject to frosts as a general advice, put
your trees on middling high land, though not
at the extreme summit. IF adjacent to
pond or large river, all the better. All bod
les of water mitigate the severity of Winter,
and cool the extreme heat of Summer. In
regard to scientific transplanting, and the af-
ter culture, they require more space than we
can spare. Veteran tree planters require no
advice, and amateurs should consult book au-
thority. Remember, however to PLANT TREES
THIS SPRING.-Fdrn and FIreside.
GRAIN STATIsTIcs.-It may be interesting
for those who believe that agriculture cannot
be as favorably prosecuted in the East as il is