The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-12-31
farm aud Garden.
Fruit Culture.-Continued.

Fruit Culture.-Continued
In our last we were speaking Of Figs.
While most persons are fond of this fruit,
very few Will take the trouble to raise
it. 1t cannot succeed unless protected
in winter, which, as said before, should be
done with straw; but I find the tops of
asparagus are convenient, and answer
very we'll for this purpose. 1t is better
to have not more than two stems, and
one answers better purpose, for it sooner
attains a good size and the larger it is,
the more hardy it becomes, and more
able to resist cold. Some persons, in
States north of us, are succeeding in rais-
ing figs, by planting them in trenches, in
chned so that they can be covered over
with dirt, on the approach of cold weather.
We have tried this plan, but prefer COW
ering them as above described, for the
first crop of figs generally falls when the
bush Is raised from the ground.
The DanSOn, a species of plum, we'll
repays the cost and trouble Of raising
1t is very hardy and productive, and is
extensively raised for preserves. If cul-
tivated when young it grows more rapidly,
bears quicker, and better. Like the plum
1t is sometimes attacked by curcuio, but
not often to much extent. 1t is better
adapted to moderately light soils No
doubt, if properly attended to, it would
be q profitable fruit to raise for market
1t generally escapes frost, and bears with
considerable regularity. The Wulter
DanaSon is said to hang on the tree until
November, and to be profitable for mar
ket; though they are not, as far as we
know, raised in Virginia
The Ounce can scarcely be raised pro-
.ftably for market in our State, for from
some cause, it does not bear well in our
climate. 1t is very desirable for family
use for preserves and marmalade. When
cooked, it Is very pleasant to eat, par
ticularly with milk and very good when
dried Wine may be made from it by
adding sugar and water, and it is a pop
ular notion in England that it is very
beneficial for those suffering from asthma
The ounce requires a rich, mellow, deep
soil, and should have constant cultivation
and some manuring every season. 1t
may be that for the want of these requi-
Sites, this fruit Is not more successful
with us. Persons who raise it in our
State, usually put it in the corners of
gar lens, and yards where it gets no cul-
tivation. The Orange Ounce apple
shaped) is most esteemed in this county.
The AngerS Ounce is raised principally
in France, but is much used here on
which to bud the pear and make it dwarf
1t is said to be very thrifty tree, and
an abundant bearer. The distance to
plant the ounce is II feet each way, and
this reminds us that we have neglected
to speak of the distances to plant some
of the other fruits. The distance for the
apple we have noticed already, go to
SO feet each way The peach should
have Is to % feet each way-according
to strength of the land, and climate The
Standard pear, % to 80 feet each way
where the head is kept pruned in, as
about gardens 20 feet Will do. Dwarfs,
10 to y feet each way The cherry, Is
to 20 feet each way-the larger growing
sorts should have at least 20 feet each
way. The distance for grapes depends
much on the variety-the Concord should
be about feet, or S by 10; the Delaware,
about 3 feet, or t by g. and kinds of in
termediate vigor about 6 by s feet. Plums
and Damsons, about 10 feet, or 10 by II
feet Figs, about s feet, or s by 10 feet
Salt in moderate quantity is said to be
very useful fertilizer for the plum, in
.oreasing its health and luxuriance. Salt
is also said to be very good fertilizer for
the raspberry.
We have only space to allude to our
Small Fruits and it is not too late to
plant out raspberries, strawberries, cur
rants, and gooseberries, and in fact all of
our fruits may be planted out in the mild
weather of the winter, and they may all
be pruned in similar weather.
The Raspberry is considered one of the
best of fruits, commanding high price
in our markets The principal cause of
this is that the supply is not equal to the
demand, and it is hard fruit to raise
successfully in our climate, being i'm
patient of heat and drought. 7. P.
LJsrvast Reaulta