The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-02-14
M'Mhe RE,,atm.
APPLE TREES.
For The Cecil Wing.

The quantities of apples grown in
Cecil county have fallen off greatly
within the period of my recollection,
and is attributable in large degree to
buying from tree peddlers.
For twenty years past, agents for
the sale of fruit trees have been tramp
ing around with catalogues of trees,
from celebrated northern nursuries, and
illustrated with plates representing the
most beautiful varieties, which they
readily imposed on the people, and the
purchasers in expectation Of the fine
fruit represented, have after years of
waiting and careful attention found
themselves completely deceived, and
instead of Smiths Cider, Baldwin, Rus
set and other winter varieties, they
have some worthless Fall apple of lit
tie account, and thus their years have
been spent, and with many it is too
late to plant another with the expecta-
ton of eating thereof Many Of these
tree peddlers after exhibiting their fine
specimens, and then inducing farmers
to purchase, then buy trees wherever
they can find them cheapest, and label
them to suit the kind promised, regard
less of which they are, as scores of
deceived men can testify.
This is one of the most infamous
kinds of deception, and those guilty of
it deserve a place in the penitentiary.
But Independent Of this deception it is
imprudent to buy apple trees from
northern nursuries, as their varieties do
not suit our climate, nor mature perfect
" here. the Baldwin and other Winter
apples ripening too soon, making an
inferior apple. Plant the kinds that are
suited to our soil and climate, and you
will not be deceived.
Forty years ago the apple crop rare
" failed here, and the Winter apples
which then grew were the Cart-house
Gray-house, Romantic, Lady Finger,
Flat Pippins, Russet and some other
varieties. The Pennock sometimes kept
through the Winter, and the FalIow-
water, which is of later introduction, a
good bearer and an excellent apple, is
often kept through the Winter
A supply of good apples is valuable
in a family, and keeping apples of a
good quality are always saleable, and
should be raised by every one who has
an opportunity to do so; but so many
have been deceived of late years by
tree peddlers, that they are discouraged,
and ready to give up the growing of
apple trees.
The surest way, probably, is to graft
your own trees, and then you cannot be
deceived, if you know the trees from
which the gratis are taken. The time
is about the first of April, and although
it is said the gratis should be cut in the
Winter and kept in dried sand, have
been the most successful in cutting
them from the tree at the time of graft
ing, and using wax made of rosiD, bees
wax and tallow, using most rosin and
least tallow, so that it will not melt with
the hot sun of Summer While the graft
ing is going on the wax should be kept
in warm water The stock in which a
graft is to be inserted should be cut off
with fine saw, and split across the
middle. If the stock is large enough
for two gratis, one on each side, drive
a small wedge in the middle to keep
the sides open enough to receive the
graft, which should have one or more
buds on it Of the last years formation
Then the graft should be cut off wedge
shape for an inch Or more at the lower
end, the outer edge being little thick
er than the inner, so that when pressed
into the stalk it may bind firmly on the
outer part, and the wood of the stock
and graft should just be even on the
outer side, so that the sap of the stock
will flow under the bark of the graft.
When the gratis are inserted and the
wedge taken out of the middle, put the
wax on the top of the stock and cover
it over, and run it down each side with
the thumb covering the outside of the
graft The knife should be sharp that
is used in preparing the graft. With a
little practice the operation is easy and
very successful. Pear and Cherry
stocks may be grated about the same
time, and in the same manner.
.Ne1c Leeds. NJ.