Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-15
Experiences in Growing Hardy Fruits.

No'a-ihAtIleA INNS AND "h.tAfAll'N7'
lie who expects to succeed in growing
even the hardest apples in region where the
winter temperature ranges amongst the
minus thirties and fortics, must make him
self acquainted with some fundamental rules,
aud be willing 10 take the trouble Of carry
ing them out faithfully in practice. But
when the right selection OF varieties has
been made, and good trees, delivered in
good ORDER are properly planted out in a
suitable place, the care Of them does not re-
quire a greater amount of labor than is
found necessary in less frigid localities.
The things to be done are dBrent, but not
more difficult or laborious, since the neces-
sity Of doing some things requisite in
warmer sections IS not imposed upon us in
the colder. In fact, so long as we are not
troubled with borers or canker-worms land |
neither have yet appeared in our orchard), |
we regard the care of our trees as a much |
easier job than that imposed upon the fruit |
grower where these pests prevail.
The first point is to secure good trees, Of |
the proper varieties. These should be pro
cured directly from the nursery if possible.
If you buy Of travelling agent, or tree
pedlar, whom you may never see again, who |
is usually irresponsible, aud whose only care |
is to get your order and collect his pay, You |
have many chances of being deceived. We |
have had some dealings with these gentry
las a seller) aud we find that about all
pedlar cares for, in purchasing trees, is to
get such as will "deliver we'll" BY this
he means trees Of good size, that are straight
and thrifty-looking, and which, consequently,
the buyer will take and pay for without OBJ
lection. Now some of the best and hardest
kinds are not what are called good growers
in the nursery" and therefore pedlar, who
cares only to get his pay without trouble,
will prefer to take his orders for this kind. !
and then buy thrifty trees of some other kind
1.-THE Notwithstanding trees. when Young.
are the Siberian crabs) which he labels with
the riqM name and delivers to the present if
not to the ultimate satisfaction of the buyer.
All tree pedlars claim to be "agents for
some nursery. Never believe this assertion
without satisfactory proof. Most of them
simply buy their trees where they can get
them cheapest, and crab-apple trees being
the easiest grown. as well as pretty looking.
commonly suit them best. As regards
prices, tree pedlar never asks less than
double the nursery rates. A respectable
nurservman not only sells lower than ped
lar can, but he will take pains to pack his
trees carefully. and is interested to give his
customers what they order. so that they
NAV be satisfied not only on delivery. bat
when the trees come to bearing.
Having secured good trees, the next thing
is to set them out. The soil and locality
are both important. ANY good soil. that
will bear good corn or potatoes is rich
enough for ample trees. But it should be
well drained, either naturally or artiGcially.
Fruit trees will not endure "wet feet"
Neither will they live through the winter ON
a spot where the snow blows of. exposing
the roots to deep and severe freezing. We
know of no variety. not even the hardest
crabs, that will endure this.
Do not uppack your trees until fine holes
are dug. Let these be annie in size TO re-
oeiye the roots without cranninq INIT not
too deem. The trees shopld be set so as to
stand about as deem as in the nursery and
the earth sbould he SLIGHTLY mounded around
them. so that when settled there sboll at
least be no cavity next the tree.
When the trees are unpneked examine
the roofs, and with sbarp knife out
smoothly all that have been rnon,led Inv fine
all the previous wears growth at least one.
half This is a most important point. and
the most universally NEGLECTED. paon,e con.
not bear TO "spoil the looks" Of pretty
tree by such severe cutting. But tbe roots
have been pruned even more severely in
taking M and unless the branches are re-.
duced in some corresponding proportion. the
chances are that the tree will die.
In setting out it is important not only
that the roots should lie STRAIGHT and sonar.
ate. but that each and every one Of them
should be firmly bedded in the earth If
any untitled cavities are left, the roots near
will inevitably decay, and make the tree
unhealthy. If the soil is dry, after carefully
covering the roots pailful Of water should
be poured into the hole, which should then
be filed up, and liberal mulch of chip
dirt, strawy manure, or other litter applied
to the surface for yard around the tree,
No stake will be required if the limbs have
been properly cut back as directed above
One must not consider that his work is
done when the tree is set out. It is only
begun. A fifty dollar orchard will not re-
quire as much attention as fifty dollar
colt. But it must have some care, and if