The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-05-26
Fruit in the Garden.

| 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 any,
thing can be grown there which does
not take up much surface space. Large
| trees, blackberrleS, raSpberfies, straw
| berries, gooseberries, ETC., ETC., all may
| be crowded together (they suppose)
provided the owner or his employees can
get between them for culture or gather
ing. 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 con-
genial soil run a long distance-much
farther, indeed, than their branches ex.
tend-and the myriads of fibrous or
feeding roots sent out at or near the ex-
tremities drain the soil both of moisture
and fertility. 1t is not the shade of a
tree so much as it's roots that exhausts
the soil, although quite often lack of
growth near tree is attributed to
shade. Sunshine is important, OF course,
but sometimes partial shade is an adj
vantage, particularly during a drouth
Black raspberries succeed well in good
ground when partially shaded, and for
this reason they may be planted in
well-cultivated orchard with a good
prospect OF success.
The garden is not a good place for
blackberries, unless the owner or man.
ager is able and willing to do a great
deal Vi the work by hand, which is nee
essary to success. The roots of black
berries are great ramblers, and not only
absorb a great deal of the soils fertility
IN this way, robbing everything else
within ten or a. dozen feet, but from
their roots hundreds of suckers are sent
up, which if not treated as weeds near
~ as soon as they appear, will trans
form the ground all around into an i'm
penetrable thicket. In field culture,
planted in long rows, these are mainly
kept down by the plow and cultiyator;
but IN the little enclosures commonly
known as gardens horses are usually
out of place. A man planting black
berries in small garden, then should
make up his mind in advance that he
has work before him it he expects to
continue inspossesSion OF the premises
Ii he is not watchfui and lively the
blackberries will soon drive him out.
Strawberry plants are not so bad to
contend with, as they neverscratch: but
If they are kept in hills (Which, on some
accounts, is best. plenty of work may
be expected on their account. They do
not travel under ground, like blackber-
RES and raspberries, but oserit sending
out runners in every direction, which
take root at every joint. III allowed to
root, the whole adjacent ground be-
comes matted with them. and if LETT
there to fruit, then all the weeds which
spring up must begot out by hand. Ii
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 winter
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 success, the
runners must be cut off or broken off
before they root; and to do this requires
watchfulness, perseverance, and posi-
bly, some backache. If the other svs-
ten is chosen under the impression that
it will save work." it should be re-
that when replanted, a year
must elapse before crop can be OBJ
tanned from it; and to do without straw |
berries every second or third wear, be- |
cause a new bed is not in bearing, is not |
agreeable
Fruit trees of almost every kind and
grape vines are undesirable in q garden
where vegetables are grown, because
their roots travel too far. Peach trees
in particular are bad. Dwarf pear trees
are better adapted to such a place, and
ounces, because the dwarf pear is
grown on the ounce root. But every-
hing we plant needs room-rcom
adapted to its habits. There is no cain
n overcrowding. because nature can
1ot be cheated or imposed upon. Each
'oot planted will thrive exactly in pro
portion to the opportunities and adj
7antages given it. No ambitious gar
tener need expect to grow great crops
If fruits and vegetables on the same
ground at the same time. Heavy ma
luring, with excellent culture, viii in
'rease the capacity of the soil. but.
wen with this, there is an inexorable
INIT somewherc.-N Y. Observer.