The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-19
Notes in the Fruit Yard.

E. P. Powell in New York Independent.
1t is getting to be prime matter in plant
ing apple trees TO secure varieties thai are
hardy. The old Seeding orchards were as
secure as elms. but not so our finer sorts.
Evolution in quality does not secure a sur
vival of the toughest wood. The tendency
is rather the other way. OF the harder sorts
OF late Introduction, the Spy ranks high.
The Roxbury Russet does not easily kill,
while the Kirkland is as tough as the tough
est of the old-time seedlings. These are the
three best late winter keepers and most hardy
trees.
Those who plant pear trees should select
those which do not need to be hurried to
market. OF these the three most profitable
and bestare Sheldon, D Anjou and Clairgeau.
The two first are also shapely trees, and all
these are hardy.
A few peach trees from seed should be on
every farm. They will give a great deal of
satisfaction when they do bear, and take lit
tie room when they do not. Seedlings from
Early Crawford are likely to give hardy as
well as good varieties. The Wager also may
be relied on, as well as Amsen and Alexan-
der.
No fruit is more profitable, with proper
care, than the ounce. The trees must be
sheltered from cold winds and protected
fIom the frost This last can be done by a
liberal mulch of coal ashes. The ounce is
easily propagated by planting cuttings six
inches to foot long, set in good garden soil.
The trees must be we'll cultivated to be of
special value. 1t is impossible to get a good
crop of ounces from trees grown in green
sward. The best variety Is still the old
orange.
Among the new humbugs, or new things
that will soon be discarded, are the Kieflen
pear and several of the new varieties of
ounces. The only new pears now needed
are very late winter pears of the first quality;
NJ niOn that will kpan fill -ATaIy
Josephine de Malines and Beurre Aumberg
are excellent, but the latter is not a good
market pear A pear that will not blight
when all others do is hopeless acquisition.
A pear thus advertised may be pronounced a
mistake at the mildest. The best plan is to
plant the very best varieties and keep them
well trimmed and thoroughly mulched.
Anyone wishing to plant small yard of
grapes for home use will not go amiss on the
following list: Delaware, which still retains
its position, Duchess, Herbert, Lady, Prem
tiss, Agawam, Brighton, Lindley, Worden,
Rogers 80, Walter, Wilder, Martha, Massa-
soft. Or the newer ones | am convinced that
Virginius and Poeklington will hold high
place. The same list will make a good one
for vineyard of larger size. The two
best grapes when ripened with us are
Goethe and Iowa; but the Goethe l cannot
easily get TO ripen, and Iowa is decidedly too
tender We want grapes that can stand
our climate without being covered every
winter. have given up the whole business
of winter protection and have quite as good
success as before. The Isabellas occasionally
kill back, as also Iowas, and the Delaware is
not always quite safe.
There are two rules in planting fruit trees,
or for that matter any trees, that cannot be
too carefully applied: First-Always cut
back the limbs sharply If the tree is large
cut away nearly all the top. So in planting
evergreen hedges; down with them; shear
away half or two-thirds. Second-Mulch
heavily; mulch everything; mulch always.