The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-12-05
For the Virginian.
ORCHARD PLANTING--II.


in the Valley of Virginia and the Piedmont
Region, there is much fear on the part oi
some of overstocking the market, and having
the fruit lay upon their hands. Those who
raise only a poor or common quality of fruit
may well fear the result Poor fruit is sci.
| dom very profitable. But good article will
always command ready sale. Last summer
common peaches sold at forty cents per bush
81 in Washington. Yet know man living
a days journey from market, who sold 81
crates Crawfords Early fer $122.50! He
is inclined to think that fruit will pay in
Virginia. There is everything in the varie
ty. On the judicious selection, and the hon.
est filing of the order, success, or failure de-
pends Of apes the Edwards Early, Al
bemarle, Winesap, French Milan, Courthouse,
and Danvers Winter are sure and profitable
varieties. The Edwards Early is an apple of
excellent favor and beautiful appearance. Its
| frmness and color make it No. market ap
pie, and its early maturity aud perfect adap-
| tation to this country make it desirable tree
in all respects. The Red Siberian Grab too
is of early maturity and prolific bearing Il
is one of the most profitable. OF peaches,
very early varieties should be discarded iu
the Valley except for home USE The Craw
ford, Early and Late, the Oldmixon Free and
Cling, the SusQuebanna, Late Heath Cling,
Shocks Late and Lagrange are among the
NEST profitable. The writer is experimenting
in several varieties Of Octobsr Cingstones
which if successful will prove great add
ton to our list. Of pears, the Duchesse,
Howell, Vicar and Josephine de Maliues are
among the most profitable variet ties. Discard
he Bartlett except for home use It is val
ueless here as market pear. The Morelo
cherry would be one of the most profitable of
fruits in the Valley if properly treated. Cut
off the black knot wherever it appears, as you
would the blight from the pear tree, and
burn it. The dried fruit always commands
high price. Of grapes, it s mistake to sup
pose that market varieties are not profitable
in the Valley. Is not Washington full of
New York fruit to-day? And here, on these
limestone rocks is one Of the finest grape re-
gions in the country. On the road between
Stanton and Harrisonburg is the 'ssnake
pasture" SO poor that cattle are fenced of from
it; yet | venture to say that with its little
hollows set with the Delaware for market or
the Morton's for wine it would be by far the
most valuable field between the two towns.
Having decided upon choice of varieties,
the next thing is to end reliable nursery to
order from. If nurseryman has a large
stock of Fall Pippins it may be-a great temp
tation to him to label them Albemares and
send them out The great risk that the pur-
chaser runs should exclude for his own sa ETY.
all nurseries outside his of own State. The
Farmers Gazette Of Richmond speaks favor
ably of Franklin Davis 4 Co., of Richmond,
ana ChalKIey, uuIrus o., r. v-vr- I
non. The former is the most extensive nur-
sery in the State. The latter is one of the |
oldest. its proprietor is President of the
Potomac Fruit Growers Association of Wash.
ington, and a man of long experience. If
there is reliable nursery, however small, in |
tho vicinity of the purchaser, he had better
order there, aud save freight. Only let him
be sure he gets what he orders.
Having ordered good varieties, and got |
them true to name, the next thing is to |
properly set them out The field should be |
deeply powed and SUBSIDIZED if possible This
operation may, however, be dispensed with,
in the beginning if the holes are dug wide |
and deep. They should be dug not less than
three feet across and two deep The roots
are not expected to occupy all the space but
room must be allowed at the bottom for drain
age. and at the sides for the ready growth
of new roots. If stones are plenty the bot |
tom of the hole should be filled up with them.
See that the tips Of the roots and all broken
ones are cut off with a sharp knife. The top
soil should be thrown in first, and the tree
shaken to allow it to settle. When the hole
is half full it should be stamped down, and
then the subsol thrown on last aud heaped
up about the tree to prevent setting about it.
If the tree is tall, cut it back, if crooked, |
stake it up and if the planting is done in the
spring mulch them all with straw, leaves or
stalks to keep the ground cool and moist
The autumn or even early winter is however
the best season to set trees. They get we'll
settled and their wounds healed before they |
have to commence growing in the spriag. A
growing tree must be regarded as powerful I
force pump, its sap continually drawing up
sustenance and its leaves continually evapo.-
ating water Unless its, system of roots is
perfect, and able to supply the constant ode
mand, the leaves will wither and fall to the
ground. The tree may tfen recuperate, or
die, according to its condition. A. bucket Of
manure water when the tree is set out is of. /
ten the means Of saving it. The philosophy |
Of tree planting consists in understanding its
manner Of growth, and treating it with care
In conclusion | will say that have never
seen a country better adapted by soil, climate
position and communication, to the culture
of fruit than the Valley Of Virginia. 1t on
ly needs % miles Of railroad, now construct
ing, to complete the chain Of communication
with North, South, East and West. There |
is every reason why this region already re-
nowned for its productiveuass, should in a
few years be the great fruit garden Of the
nation.
HOLLYWOOD
Trrr OEEJcJAy VoTE TN THIS CoNGPES. |