The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-06-27

Many people of small means, or with only
small investments in real estate, desire to
grow what fruit they can In the garden.
supposing that almost anything can be
grown there which does not take up much
surface space. Large trees, backberries,
raspberries, Strawberries, gooseberries, etc.,
all may be crowded together, (they supposed,
provided the owner or his employees can
get between them for culture or gathering.
Some observations as to the habits or nature
of different fruits will show that this is a
mistaken idea.
The roots of most fruit trees in congo
NAL soil run long distance, much farther,
indeed, than their branches extend, aud the
myriads of fibrous or feeding roots sent out,
at or near the extremities, drain the soil
both of moisture and fertility. 1t is not the
shade Of tree so much as its roots that ex-
hausts the soil, although quite often lack of
growth near a tree is attributed to shade.
Sunshine is important, of course, sbut some
times partial shade is an advantage, partic-
ularly during drouth. Black raspberries
succeed well in good ground when partially
shaded, and for this reason they may be
planted in a well-cultivated orchard with a
good prospect of success.
The garden is not a good place for black
berries, unless the owner or manager is able
and willing to do a great deal of work by
hand, which is necessary to success. The
roots of blackberries are great rambers, and
not only absorb great deal of the SOILS fer
tility in this way, robbing everything within
ten or dozen feet, but from their roots
hundreds of suckers are sent up. which, if
not treated as weeds nearly as soon as they
appear, will transform the ground all
around into an impenetrable thlcket. In
field culture, planted in long rows, these are
mainly kept down by the plow and cultiva-
tor; but in the little enclosures, commonly
known as gardens, horses are usually out Of
place. man planting blackberries in a
small garden, then, should make up his
mind in advance that he has work before
him, If he expects to continue in possession
of the premises. If he is not watchful and
lively, the blackberries will soon drive him
out.
Strawberry plants are not so bad to con-
tend with, as they never scratch; but if thew
are kept III hills (which on some accounts
is best), plenty of work may be expected on
their account. They do not travel under
ground, like blackberries and raspberries,
but over It, sending out runners in everv
direction which take root at every Joint. If
allowed to root, the whole adjacent ground
becomes matted with them; and if left there
to fruit, then all the weeds which spring up
must be got out by hand. If the ground is
very rich, one or two good crops of very fair
berries may be expected from such a bed:
then it runs out" But if kept in hills, as
originally planted, hoed occasionally, with
some manure and mulching during the win
ter and spring, the hills will grow to an
enormous size, an equal quantity of fruit
will be obtained, the quality will average
much better, and the ground need not be re-
planted under four years at least, and may
last much longer. But to make this system
a success, the runners must be cut off or
broken off before they root; and to do this
requires watchfulness, perseverance, and
possibly some back-ache If the other sys-
TEN is chosen under the impression that it
will 'save work., it should be remembered
that when replanted year must elapse be-
fore crop can be obtained from it; and to
do without strawberries every third year,
because new bed is not bearing, is not
agreeable.
Fruit trees of almost every kind and
grape-vines are undesirable in garden
where vegetables are grown, because their
roots travel too far. Peach trees in particu-
lar are bad. Dwarf pear trees are better
adapted to such a place, and ounces, be-
cause the dwarf pear is grown on the ounce
root. But everything we plant needs room,
room adapted to its habits. There is no
gain in oyercrowding, because Nature can
not be cheated or imposed upon. Each
root planted will thrive exactly in proper
ton to the opportunities and advantages Civ
en- 1t. No ambitious gardener need expect
to grow great crops of fruit and vegetables
on the same ground at the same time.
Heavy manuring with excellent culture will