The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1877-09-05
[communicated.l
Fruit Culture, Forest Tree Planting, Ac.

T. u
Fruit Culture, Forest Tree Planting, Ac.
When we came to Iowa, more than twen-
ty.ftve years ago, ono Of the first things
that interested us, was the planting out of
fruit trees. There we're many In. Central
Iowa then to tell us that it "was all In
vain; trees would not do we'll here, this is
no truit country!" Men who had set out
orchards and taken care Of them, 1t Is
true. were hopeful, but large majority
Of the settlers echoed the cry, "You can't
raise fruit here" andsmade no attempt
We persevered and long before our TWEEN
ty.four years. residence'in Iowa ended, we
were rewarded by gathering most perfect
fruit from three large orchards Of our
planting, In addition to apples and cher
ries in abundance, we, also had quantities
Of grapes, as we'll as other small fruit,
and the very neighbors who had told US
we would not succeed, were glad, year af:
ter year, to gather fruit from our vines. :.
On coming to Dakota last year, III emed
very natural to hear, from one and another,
the old cry, 1T is little use to set out fruit
trees here, these prairie winds are too
hard; the winters arc Too severe, &C"
We were no more disposed to take warn.
ing than we were years ago, and though
fears of the grasshopper did weigh with
US, we concluded nothing venture, moth
ing have" and this year have invested
quite largely in fruit and forest trees, with
vines and flowers in addition, and so far
our success has been very grstifed
Most of our vines and trees were sent to
us by mail, as express transportation is
expensive, aud yet though necessarily of
small size, almost without exception, all
have lived and made rapid growth: and In
no soil and climate have we ever seen flow.
ers of all sorts blossom so freely.
Ont of 300 forest trees received the 9Th
Of May, by mail. hardly one has died.
'hSi0 49, uV"CNSl, u uoI1CCdoiC uiiAcICuCS
in the rapidity of growth. The ever
greens have, so far come on very slowly;
butternuts, ash-leaved maple, and white.
wood, a tulip tree. have done the best hav.
ing all more than doubled and some
trebled in size. Of the tree seeds planted
this spring, butternuts, pecan, chestnut
and aliantins have come on most rap
idly. We have chestnut trees IS inches
high, from nuts planted this spring. We
have no apple trees as yet, intending, how
ever, u set out several hundred this fall !;
but cherry and plum trees have made very
rapid growth, and grape vines have grown
better we think th.a we ever knew them.
We would be glad to encourage all set
tiers in our county to set out trees as
largely as means aud time will admit, be-.
lieving that nothing will add 50 much to
our enjoyment or to the comfort, and even
cash value of our homes as to have groves
and orchards springing up about US. And
here comes the question, er
"Will your trees aud vines winter we'll -
We do not. doubt it! Our winters are
no more severe than in Iowa-nOt 80 cold
rs Northeastern Iowa-and we have plant
ed varieties only that are hardy there /;
still we intend to protect all seedlings and
the young vines this frs: winter; after that
we do not believe they will need it
Shrubs like liIacs, snowballs, roses, and
the like, will need Nd protection here. In
future article-we will give our method
Of protecting vines, &C., where it is neces
sary, and will also give list OF SUCH ap-
pies, &c, as we know to thrive in our eli
mate and soil.
One word as to fall planting of both
fruit and forest trees. Our experience has
been greatly in favor of planting every
thing possible In the fall, and some Of the
most successful fruit and tree raisers rec
ommcnd it when possible. To succeed,
we must do it right, and ii we do, all con-
ditions are in our favor. In greenhouses,
|propigating-houses, &c, to make things
grow. bottom heat Is iven in q cool at
lnosphere. In the fall. the ground is
warm and trees get well settled and begin
to make root growth, while the air being
cool, they are not tempted to throw up
shoots. In spring, the ground is cold and
the atmosphere warm with rays OF the sun
and plants often send sh lots before max
ing root growth.
AL that is needed to succeed IN fall
planting, is, to have the ground we'll pre-
pared to q good depth, and thea to set out
plants or trees ss soon as frost has checked
tie gropth and the leapss drop, tuck the
soil firmly about the rolts, water we'll and
then they will become firmly established
before the ground freezes. and be I'll ready
for vigorous growth the next spring
In sending away for trees and shrubs,
one common mistake is, 70 get them from
y climate too far south Of this, that have
been grown in different soil as well as
climate This should be avoided.