Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-03-03
[Col tiibuted for the Delaware Tribune
The Culture of Fruit.
Nh
ny JOSIAH HooPEs.

ny JOSIAH HoopEs.
In writing q series of papers on the above
subject, it appears eminently proper that we
should first examine into those fundamental
principles which form in fact the foundation
of the whole system; for we find that where
these are but imperfectly understood, or, as
Is sometimes the case, neglected altogether,
failure mostly results. The age for signs
and superstitics notions in regard to plant
ing and cultivation is happily passing away
under the influence of more liberal educa-
ton, based on scientific truths. Indeed, re-
cent discover es have enabled us to employ
Successful remedies in many instances, as
well as prevent disastrous occurrences in
Others, as surely as that we can now
explain the causes influencing these effects.
Nevertheless, there are yet few we'll
meaning farmers who place implicit reliance
on fancied "Moon theories" and who firmly
believe their young orchards must be plant
cd on certain days, without regard either to
the state of the weather, or what is of still
greater Importance, the condition of the
soil
LOCATING AN ORCHARD.
AS We intend going over the whole ground
of cultivation, in all its various departments,
shall call the attention of my readers to
the first question which arises,-a choice of
location. Always, if possible, avoid low,
damp situation, and particularly when the
sub-soil is retentive Of moisture. Such soils
arc never adapted to fruit culture, and even
under the most experienced system Of drain
ing, rarely prove entirely successful. Some
fruits, as the Pear and Plum, and to q GER
tain extent the Apple, rather prefer stiff
SOIL and in such, we often find superabun-
dance of water, which must be disposed of
by artificial means, ns,-either by tile or open
bitches.
TWO EXTREMES OF SOIL.
W.toi, If allownd to remain long station
asy, inevitably becomes stagnant, and will
destroy the small fibres of the root, which
are iu fact the feeders Of the tree. The larg-
cr roots are for the sole purpose OF sustain
ing the plant in position. Trees planted in
wet soils, soon show signs of disease in their
weakened young shoots; yellow, sickly-
looking leaves, and messy bark. If they
should then be taken up and examined, a
few long, bare roots will alone be found, the
rootlets or feeders, as explained, being all
destroyed. Now, having noticed the effect
and being sure of the cause of this malady,
the question of its removal is next to bt
considered. Tile draining is mostly resortet
to for carrying off an excess of water; bu
as this is always expensive, and to the or
chardist of small means, yet liberal ideas,
stumbling-blocx in his path, some more fea
siale plan appears necessary. l would there
fore suggest q method now employed b,
some of our best cultivators; simply ope
drains or bitches, dug at regular distance
apart, and following the descent of the sur
face. Earth itself is always more or les
porous, and whenever opportunityis is oifere'
for carrying away the superabundant watel
the latter finds its level, and thus ceases to b
annoyance. The other extreme, "a thin gray
ely soil with little or no nutrtive fertilizin
material in its composition, is possibly somt
what less Objectionable than rctentiv
so;, h,, !, 10 naver,he,.ss very discourapin
!, ;,s ro.r,,s The Peach however. wi
thrive and prove more remuncratve on sue
barren-like lands, than. any other kind
c.,,;. H., eo,l cort;dn,, ,ba, either of IL
v,.o,,os 20 ,,,,,,o conducive IN disea,
> ,,on . val, d,o;ned sn;, that is moderatiye
; cnu,;,a 4, o,,oroo,or
: - ,,s
y A''NN, A'Ns os 49,. S....,, sam,,,
: s,na,,;a diseases canno, attack nertectl
aaI,t,, ,roo. vo, i, 10 IN undisnuied iaf
= ,bot ,be minnie seed like atoms (spore
aI,ravs aoa,,nc in tbe air. are more ready
-,,.,.. ~, ,,a,r ,ra., with n weaken,
= ',;,,,;,,, and nrom ote disease in a more ia
,;hIe farm than on one whose natural fun
s. tons ara nerfect in every respect. There
= one ,h;nc however always to be borne
/ mind bv those who have not the priyile
os ohoos;no tho bannv medium. Each c
,reme has its merits. The low lands ri
in their alluvial deposits. can by systemai
le understanding be made to possess val
< for some crops. scarcely excclled in its pi
W ouc,iveness owing to the vast amount of
ee oan;c r,a,er;a, in lis possession and on
Id ether hand the light sandy or gravelly so
We with n nerfect natural system of drainir
at can be made productive by a liberal su
us plv of fertilizers, both mineral and vegetal
he -tbe former according /, my own expe
ge enco and observance, being less product