Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-05-12
fartll \ fireside.
Contributed for the Delaware Tribune ]
The Culture of Fruit.
By JOSIAH HOoPEs.


paper, was written with q view towards aid
ing the amateur fruit-grower more especially;
but subsequent reflection has induced me to
add few remarks, which may possibly
benefit the young nurseryman, and at the
same time assist class of planters who wish
to multiply their stock of fruits on a more
extended scale. In raising apple seedlings,
a disputed question arises at the commence
ment-the proper time 10 plant, as there are
at present two distinct and diametrically op-
posed views advanced In this particular.
Not wishing to side with either, 1 will
merely say that each has lis advantages, and
that If the proper amount of care is taken,
either will prove successful in the end.
During the autumn sowing, level piece of
ground should be selected, and a choice
made with view to keeping clear of mice.
Always SOU thanly and covsr lightly, bear
ing in mind that one peck of seeds dstribu-
ted very thinly and evenly, will produce
more good plants, than one bushel OF seeds
drilled In the customary manner. / have
found 1t advisable to choose an old sod for
this crop, as the abundance Of decomposng
vegetable matter, acts not only as valuable
fertilizer, but tends to making the soil fria-
BILE and porous. Strictly avoid highly nutri-
ent organic manures, as they stimulate
growth of fibres, which is not desirable for
purposes of root-grafting. Another disad-
vantage which results from the use of ma
nures in raising these seedlings, is the abun-
dance of weeds, which usually follows its
use and then again is another incentive for
selecting an old sod, for we seldom are
troubled with pests of this kind. Seedlings
of all kinds must be kept scrupulosly clean
during the whole season. For spring plant
ing. the seed should be mixed with sand in
the autumn, and placed in box having
tight cover. Set the box on the north side
of some building where the rays of the sun
cannot reach it, and about the last of March
in this latitude, anxieusly watch for the ap-
pearance Of sprouting, as q few warm days
will frequently start it into action, and if
not attended to at once, 1t will soon be past
sowing. The same remarks will also equally
apply to cherry and plum pits. Peach-stones
whilst fresh and moist In the autumn should
be spread evenly on the surface Of the ground
SO as TO form beds of about four feet In width,
cover an inch or two in depth with sand,
and ifa large number should be required,
another layer OF each may be placed upon
them. The proper time for planting the
kernels in the spring, is when the radicle
(sprouD is about one-half an inch in length,
if much longer, the tender growth not unfre-
quently becomes injured, and the embryo
plant is then worthless. This requires the
utmost vigilance on the part of the owner,
for frequently one or two very warm days
will start the nut to swelling, and it is aston
ishing how fast it will grow. Most persons
think 1t necessary to raise beds foot or
more above the surrounding surface, believ-
ing the frost will thus have better oppor-
tunity to crack theirpits, but this is On error.
Frost is not the active power at all; it is
moisture combined with heat and darkness
that performs the operation, and therefore
the beds should be low in every situation,
unless exceedingly wet, which should lie
avoided. Make very shallow drills and drop
about six inches apart therein, covering with
the smallest amount of soil and carefully re-
moving stones and Jumps of earth. Tie
largest peach trees are mostly grown in sod
gronnd, and the same Is also much to be
preferred on account of weeds choking-out
the young and tender plants, as is instanced
in manure fields. Having already described
the cutting process for raising grape vines,
l wish to add that where larger stock is
desired, it is often remunerative to take ad-
ditional pains towards securing perfect sue
cess.
In this case the cuttings are. prepared and
tied In small bundles of say fifty each. Ire
pare an ordinary cold-frame of boards, aid
place the bundles therein with the top ends
of the cuttings inverted-that is the buds
down-and then cover with sand, and care
fully fill In the interstces with the same.
Cuttings suitable for this purpose, need con-
sist of but one bud, and it is good policy to
select ong-jointed wood, so that with the
bud at the extreme top, we may secure a
reasonable length to the same without inter-
fering with the next bud below. Place Cd
the frame common hot-bed sash, and
cover with mat or shutter until spring.
With the advent of warm weather, remove
the latter and allow the heat to penetrate
the surface, giving air only on very VAIN
days.
The principle in growing all kinds of cut
tings, is, to start the root before the leaves /;
hence the value of the method thus de-
scribed.
The heat penetrating The sand warns the
actual bottom of the cuttings, which soon
forms roots, whilst the true tops being some
distance below, remain cool and inactive
When the roots'are seen to start freely, the
bundles should be separated, and the plants
set out in rows, and in doing.so they should
be handled very carefully, as the. young
fibres are brittle as glass. After the cuttings
have been planted, an excellent plan is to
cover the bed with saw-dust or spent tan
bark, to keep the soil moist and even in
temperature.
Dldchociiics uhu iaepuciIic5 hlc luCrehbtu
very rapidly by what are termed root-cut-
tings.
If the variety shsuld be rare and valuable.
it is best to make up the cuttings during
Autumn and mixed with sand to be set away
In cool cellar until Spring. The cuttings
should not be over an inch in length, and
those taken from vigorous young canes are
far preferable to those cut. from old hard
wood.
During the succeeding Spring, place thess
root-cuttlngs upright in' boxes. of sandy,
rich earth, and set on a hot-bed, when the
young plants will soon appear above the
surface of the soil, they are then ready to
plant out In the garden. When roots are
plentiful, the cuttings may be sown thinly,
like peas, in shallow drills, without starting
under glass, and fair percentage can be
grown in this way. And now few remsrks
relative tn picking and rpening fruits. The
orchardist of experience, who has made the
raising Of fruits speciality, needs no word,
| of mine to teach him when and how tn cath