The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-12-03
farm aud 6arden.
Fruit neutrality-suspicious..

of Standard pears over Dwarts Some
think that some varieties, and particular
ly the Duchess DAngouleme, are Of bet
ter quality when propagated on the
ounce This is doubtful; this supposed
superiority may have arisen from varie-
ties of soil and cultivation Some dwarts
may very properly be planted about the
garden, or small plots of ground as they
altogether come in earlier, and will be
supplying the family with pears before
the Standards generally will do so.
The next fruit We Will mention is the
Cherry. This is a favorte fruit with some,
particularly the children, and while its
season is of short continuance, the varie-
ties may be 50 selected as to extend it
considerably. We recommend the fol-
lowing:-Old fashioned May cherry, "
' May Duke Early Richmond (clus-
ter cherry Wax cherry, Black Tar
tartan, "Bigarrean' Cor Yellow Spanish
and the "Morrello.' How much our
Wax cherry differs from the Bigarrean,
or the Napoleon Bigarrean we are not
informed. The Wax cherry belongs to
this class, and Is, we think, one of the Big
arrean cherries Of which there are three
or four In buying cherry trees, it is i'm
portant to get those if possible, which are
budded on the cherry, not on the Waho-
1eJ stock The latter are said to be short
lived, and frequently die Just as they be-
gin o bear. | purchased two Napoleon
Bigarrean' trees some nine years since,
budded on Mahaleb stock; Just as they
commenced to- bear, one died, and the
other came near dying, but seems now to
be recuperating.
The cherry tree does best on good gray
soil 1t does not require rich land
When young, it should be cultivated,
and not placed about yards, and fence
corners, where it can receive no cultiva-
ton
We come now to speak of that delight
full, healthy fruit the Grape 1t is only
within the last few years that the people
of Virginia have begun to appreciate it.
For long time its use was confined to
the few, but now its increased cultiva-
ton, certainty of bearing, productiveness,
and cheapness, are making it the one OF
the fruits for the masses.
Much might be written about the grape,
varieties, soils, exposures, modes of trim
ming, supports etc. Only a few promi-
nent points can be touched on here. The
Concord and the Norton seeding are the
favorite grapes in Virginia, and in most
other States They are both hardy, and
great bearers, and both good table, and
good wine grapes. The latter is consid-
cred the wine grape of the United States,
and its popularity Is extending to France,
where it has been declared by a-State
wine commission, as a wine grape of the
first quality. Many of the vines, and
more particularly of the cuttings, have
been carried to France, partly with the
hope of getting rid of the dreaded Phyl-
loxera. In the Piedmont and mountain
portions of the State the Catawba, and
the Iona are favorite grapes, and do well.
The Ives is an early grape, and though
not,a very good table grape, sells well.
The Clinton is only raised for wine. 1t,
and the Ives make good wine For the
table, Maxatawrey, Delaware, Goethe,
Wilder, and Salem three Of Rogers
Hybrids) Croton and Scuppernong are
raised. Most of them are shy bearers,
particularly the two last This is too
far north for the Scuppernong, but it is a
good grape, and is worth planting for
family use. The Black Hamburg, which
only succeeds under glass, is the grape
of grapes. No grape can be more deli
cious. Mr.. Minor, Of Albemarle, says his
best vines are on his gravelly soii. The
soil best suited for most grapes is gray,
tolerably light soil. The Delaware, and
some others are said to do best on red
clay soils, though I have not found them
to bear well on such soils. South, and
southeastern exposures are thought to be
best. Cultivation should be such as to
keep the land we'll stirred, and free from
grass. The ploughing which should be
Shallow, so as not to injure the roots
should be at least twice a year, with two
hoeings. TrelEses are best with wire or
Stats, but the single stake is much cheap
est This should be skinned, and sharp
ened at the end, and dipped in pitch
The French S0ule system, making the
vine with one stem support itself, has not
been much tried in this country. 1t
should be tested, as it is much the cheap
est mode of support I, ?.
Poultrv Farming.