Middletown transcript., 1870-10-01
Glre farmer.
FRUIT CULTURE.

iarner oI St. Ueorges hundred, who
was talking, some days since, of buying
land, remarked that he would buy no more
except for fruit culture, and would select
only such soil as was adapted to that bu-
sincss; that grain culture was improbable
as compared with fruit, and that if farm
ers would mako greater profits from their
land, they must give more attention to
fruit, to grass, to stock, to the dairy, and
less to grain.
In selecting fruit as market crop, it
is desirable to choose that which makes
the quickest return. The Peach is the
great staple of this region, but many va
rieties of small fruit are also cultivated.
And more attention will be paid to small
fruit in the future, as the idea prevails
that the Peach Tree will "de out" here,
after awhile, as it has elsewhere. 1t is
well to consider this subject, in advance,
and to set about providing for such con-
tingency. Our farmers are so familiar
with Horticulture. that it looks like pre-
sumption in the Press to undertake to
to offer them counsel upon the subject. A
few words, by way of reminder, will not
be amiss:
Young strawberry plants, set out in
August or September, will bear fair crop
the next spring, and full crop the Sec
ond season. AS to varieties, if one looks
only to productiveness and frmness for
marketing, the Wilson Seeding must
constitute the principal crop; but if he has
an eye to flavor, let him plant almost any
other variety. The Long Scarlet and the
Lady Finger are the richest in favor, and
will do we'll to market if grown within a
convenient distance. The latter is of tine
size, and if properly cultivated, of beau
tlful scarlet color. All varieties require
clean cultivation in summer, and protec-
tion in winter by covering of straw.
Raspbsrries may be set out either in
the fall or spring. Cut back the canes to
two or three buds. They will throw up
strong shoots the first year, from which
berries can be gathered the second, and
the yield will increase from year to year,
as the roots become stronger. As to va
rieties, opinions and tastes differ. Some
hold on to the old Antwerp and Brinkles
Orange. Others prefer the Fastolf, Will
der, Franconia, or Philadelphia. These
require little covering in winter Then
we have the large family of black raspber-
ries, all Of which are good They are
known as the common American, Doolit.
tie, Dawson, Thornless, Seneca Black
cap. These are all hardy varieties and
will stand the winter
Gooseberries and Currants can be grown
from cuttings, which any neighbors gar
den will furnish gratis. Or young plants
may be bought at the nurseries, which
will be gain of one years time. In the
course of two or three years, ones tea-ta-
BILE will show that this fruit makes quick
return. 1t is wonder that the currant
is SO much moderated. If it were a new
thing, rather expensive and scarce, and
slightly tender, so as to need little pet
ting, it would be great affair. But the
fact is that it is an old customer, is cheap.
is hardy as a burdock, is an early and con-
stant and prolific bearer, and its fruit is
wholesome and agreeable to the taste. The
old Red and White Dutch sorts are good
enough; but for variety, it is we'll to plant
the Victoria, White Grape, the Cherry,
and La Versaillaise.
Grapes like the Currant and Gooseber
ry, can be grown from cuttings and lay
ers, but it saves year or two of time to
buy young plants well rooted at the nur-
series. Sometimes few clusters NAV be
had the second year, but more the third.
1t is, however, unwise to allow vines to
bear much before the third and fourth
years; little patient waiting will be re-
warded by healthier vines and more abun-
dant crops afterward
Peaches, Dwarf Pears, Apples, Cher
ries. etc. begin to bear the second and
third years, and increase annually there
after. That these fruits are all delicious
healthful and profitable. is too well known
for us to enlerge on the subject. They
all pay better than grain.