Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-10-18
Root Pruning to Promote Hardness.

Root Pruning to Promote Hardness.
When man sets himself up as leader
of the people, and makes egregious mis-
takes or attempts to mislead for the sake of
greed or gain, he must expect to be severe
ly Pelted. There is such spirit of intelli-
gence diffused through the country, that
people will think and act for themselves.
Nor will intelligent people accept stupid
absurdities for fact-for reliable informa-
ton - when their own experience has
taught them what may aud what may not |
be relied upon.
A sharp controversy is now at issue be-
tween some of the prom; nent horticulturists
and pomologists of the West, touching the
value Of improved Siberian crab apples for
the northwest and Of root pruning tender
varieties of apple trees. 1t cannot be de-
MED that the wonderful improvements in
developing hardy varieties Of apples at the
northwest is a success that should cheer
the heart Of every lover of fine fruit.
In the Western Rural-wbich, by the
way, is an orthodox champion doing a phi
lanthropic work among the tillers of the
soil in the northwest-we find scathing
criticism on the position assumed by DR..
Hull, 'Horticulturist of the state of Hi
nois, who sneers at the improved crab ap-
pies of the northwest aud who desires to
oh hn n-{.o
to produce a better sort of fruit by dis
cardiug their superior improved crab ap-
pies, and by planting such trees as we at
the East recommend pomologists not to
plant, and by adopting his theory of root
pruning trees TO induce desired hardness.
1t is 10 be regretted that such a mistake
should be promulgated by an intelligent
pOmolOgist in public capacity. The i'm
proved crab apple trees ripen their wood
completely before cold weather, so that
the frees endure the rigors Of the north
west winters without injury, while varieties
the common apple are not sufficiently
hardy to resist the injurious Influences Of
protracted cold weather. The root prun-
| ing remedy will never be found to subserve
the purpose claimed, for the simple reason
that we cannot get at the roots of trees to
Prune properly. Root pruning fruit trees,
for the purpose of promoting fructiicatiou,
Is a process of doubtful expediency, except
when directed by an intelligent arbicultur-
ist of long experience. Root pruning is
like fighting an adversary bhud-folded, as
no one knows where to direct effective
blows at the roots, which will not do more
damage than good.
The Rural suggests that the ''Horticul-
turist of Illinois is in a ring who fee him
literally for employing his position-Ike
the New York metropolitan shysters-to
induce northwesterners to purchase eastern
or southern trees, rather than produce such
trees in their own states as will endure the
winter. The writer says:
81 know the 'Horticulturist of Illinois
has powerful hackers. He is welcome to
all the credit their support cOnfers upon
him i. E., the whole retinue of tree ped
dlars and their principals, who wish to sell
Minnesotians large bills of tender trees
that can be bought cheaply in the Eastern
markets. aud ready to take advantage. OF
the Doctors advice in order to strengthen
their hold upon their victims These are
traitors to the northwest, aiding and abet-
ting a foreign enemy for gain. Cougenial
spirits in the settlements Of southern and
GENITAL Illinois, fruit-growers who have
staked their ljfe-prospects on the hope O
finding ready market in the northwest
at exorbitant prices for their products
are, of course, jealous partizans of Hull:
: hobbies, or rather, he is the paid purveyo
of their interests, if we may lake his owe
words as defining his position. These par
E ties are not alone in working up this grea
, fruit-growing financial scheme That hug
vested rights monopoly, the Illinois Cen
trail Railroad Company, is distinctly inter
ested in keeping the markets of the north
! west open to southern fruits, because it ha
I the carrying trade 1t has its own pal,
7 agents rural and otherwise, who hav
= the public by The ear at all state and loca
. horticultural meetings, fairs, etc, aod tn
eye of the public through the columns G
mammoth daily newspapers. These, c
course, dove-tail the Doctors advice wit
their occasional condemnation of the crab
as of no particular value with us
Agricultural papers that have acquire
G wealth and power over the business of th
e northwest, by virtue of age and prior occu
IT patton mainly, are also subsidized to tbi
e same giant attempt to forestall the pomol
J. ogy of the very section from whose enter
o prise they have drawn much of their nor
e ey, name and fame Controlling the hol
e ticultural columns of Que of the concern
r where no reply is permitted, forms yer
t, convenient arrangement for promulgatin
1t such horticultural humbuggery as that de
C. scribed above Viewed in all these aspect
n there are quite considerations enough
v account for the milk in the Doctor coco;
y nut.
in But the world moves, and pomologJ wi
in push its conquests in spite of sectional greet
lie The iron-clads are impregnable even
" big guns, when charged only with the,
ID ries. The Duchess, Transcendent, Ricl
Sc mond, Wilson, aud hundreds Of new, hard
re fruit, will be grown in the northwest lor
at after the noise of these horticultural gon!
J. mas ceased forever"