The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-04-09
The Cecil " hig.
Fruit Culture.

The subject of the culture and care Of
Apple Trees is one of he many on which
the public mind seems 10 need information,
aud is one that seems to be less generally
understood than any other branch Of farm
ing.
1t is often said that growing apples for
market viii not pay. and the remark may
lie true, as regards the Way in which large
part ., the orchards are treated i'll this
county. But why is it that our markets
are supplied with apples from New FORK.
New England or Ohio? Do apples do any
better there, than here. or is il lccause
they are better attended TO than here? By
comparing results it seems that III: latter
is the oniy reason. When there is Il chance
lot Of Maryland apples, that find their way
to Baltimore market, they generally do not
command the price of New York apples of
the same kind. And why? Any one who
has eaten perfect apples from our own trees,
and then bought Northern apples in Il e
market of the same kinds, knows that our
home apples are the best. And why do
they not sell rs readily? The chief reason
is, that our farmers have not yet done
enough al the business, 10 know how to
send them 10 market in good order. But
lately we saw a lot of fine apples on the
way to Baltimore, bagGed up like potatoes.
Any one who has seen how bags are han
died on our Railroads. must know how they
are liable to be bruised ere reaching market.
and in that state dealers are lott, to take
them at any price.
The apples that come To our market from
New York are carefully sorted at home.
and the best put in clean barrels and tightly
packed, which prevents them from bruising
by handling. Thus packed or apples will
IL Il i
posed of, and having the certainty Of a
large and ever increasing demand. why may
we not proceed to add the apple to our list
Of marketable farm products? We of
Cecil county. have every advantage of soil
and climate; and being between the two
great markets Of Philadelphia and Balti-
more have a decided advantage over those
at distance. i'll freight at least: which one
item gives us a safe margin for profit over
those more remote.
The apple crop, it is true, is liable to be
injured by circumstances Of weather beyond
our control. but not more so than the peach.
if as much. on account of its later hloom-
ing. The trees do not como in profit as
soon as the peach, but continue four times
as long, the fruit is not so peIisliable, and
generally brings about as good price.
Apples are worth at least 80 cts.a buShel
to make vinegar. at the present price Of
that article: though some kinds of vinegar
that are often sold for pure cider. can be
made from wood or chemicals, at Il cost al
10 cts a gallon, yet the pure article will
always be i'll demand at paving price.
One Of the greatest difficulties with the
inexperienced i'll the growth of apples. is
to know what kinds to plant. Difference
of climate and culture make such difference
in the same apple. that it is hard to fix Oil
any list that viii give satisfaction every
where.
Apples that are esteemed as good keep
ers in New York, arc fall apples here; and
some kinds that are noted in Ohio. rot so
badly here rs to he worthless. The only
way to have a profitable orchard, is to plant
only such rs are known tie do well here:
and il some that are planted afterwald
prove to lie poor bearers. graft them over
with better kinds as soon Is possible.
Many. or most of the kinds Of apples
that used to he standard sorts. 10 wears
ago. have run out or are on the decline:
and no care or culture will now make them
profitable. Oti or kinds are being intro
duced to take heir places. We will not
presume to name a list to comprise all the
best kinds, but may say that about dozen
kinds will include most OF the prciiral lie ap-
pies. There may lie some that bear good fruit
hut are such shy bearers. or The trees them
selves are snch poor growers. that they will
have 10 be rejected.
And now ~ regards culture. we cannu.
he too positive iii asserting that 10 orchard
can he made 10 produce perfect fruit in
profitable quantities. without constant cul-
tivation and manure. These two things
are as essential to the apple crop as the
corn crop: and apple trees are as liable to
be injured by a stiif sod on the ground, as
the corn crop is to be clokcd with weeds
An orchard that is allowed to remain in sod
viii invariably decline, and if never plowe,l
will die outright in a few years. You may
see hundreds of orchards gone to prem
tu.C decay from this cause alone. anywhere
about.
Some are afraid to pillow the orchard after
the trees grow large, because the plow Gu
of Ike little roots. Never fear injury from
this cause. Put on plenty OF manure as if
you were going to grow potatoes. ll2w it
in and cultivate the ground either with
some hood crop or without it: and for
every old root that is cut. five new end
healthy feeders will be formed, and You
may notice the result almost immediately
in increased vigor. in both tree and fruit
Now is the best time to llow if it has not
been done already. G.