Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-01-15
Rev. Slater Brown, Oh "Fruit
Culture"

Rev. Slater Brown, on "Fruit
Culture"
Below is an abstract of the remarks
of Rev. Slater Brown, on Fruit Culture:
He remarked that the cultivation of
fruits was one of the most pleasans oc-
cupations of farm life-an occupation
that inspired the brightest hopes, yet
sometimes brought ferth the saddess
disappointment. 1t was a calling in
which man would be required to ex-
ercise the grace of patience. and where
he would often realize that there's
many slip between the cup and lip"
The speaker said that the friends of
Horticulture had retarded the business
by connecting more hard labor and ak
pense with the business than was neees-
sary. One writer had said the ground
must be plOwed two feet deep, and then
have $3.50 worth of manure and fertili-
zers applied to the acre Of ground. He
would choose location exposed to the
south or southesst-wOuld select clay
loan with light mixture of sand; soil
that would produce 40 bushels of corn
per acre was rich enough for fruit trees.
He would not plow deeper than for an
ordinary farm crop, and would make the
hole for the tree no deeper than the land
was plowed. He advised all persons
contemplating planting trees to 60 in
person to nursery and select trees that
branched within three feet of the ground,
by so doing they would avoid sum
scalds, and lower trees that are fOrked,
should always be avoided. Select q
straight tree, with at least six side limbs
When setting in the orchard trim all
bruised roots, with slantiDg cut on the
under side of the root; spread the lower
roots on the bottom of the hole, cover
them with good soil, press it down, and
then spread the next layer of roots, and
cover in the same manner. If the
ground was dry pour on two gallons OF
water, and then fill the balance of the
hole with dry soil make slight mound
of earth around the tree, and no stakes
will be required to keep it in place; cut
off the side limbs of tree to cor 'espond
with the length of the roots. If the
tree is an upright grower, cut the limbs
so that the bud will be on the outside of
the limb near the top; if the tree is OF
spreading habit, leave the last bud on
the under side of the limb. The speaker
said that trees differed so much in their
habit of growth that No general direc-
ton could be given as to the distance
apart to plant; upright growers, like the
Rambo. K. Coddling and Black Vande-
yer, would do with % feet of space;
struggling growers, such as the Smith
Cider, Newtown Pippen, Gate, and
Cracken, would require 80 feet of space.
Strong, diyerging. growing trees. like
the Baldwin, 81. T. Nonesuch and Wall
dover would require SO feet. Broad
spreading trees, like the P. Russet, R. 1.
Greening. Red Winter Pearmean and
Fall Pippen would be bampered with 35
feet of space.
The speaker had planted trees in the
fall and spring with good results; set
peach trees In November, 1888, which he
headed back in the spring of 1884, to one
foot high. At present they are i've feet
high, with an abundant supply of side
limbs. He quoted warning from Mr..
Wilder, to beware of the Outrageous
deceptions in introducing new fruits.
which were no better, if as good. as old
varieties" Said he had fruitsd the highly
praised and high priced Keifsr pear. and
was ready to say with many of the leads
ing fruit growers of the State, don't in
vest in it.
In conclusion, he said that q house
without fruit trees looked as God for
saken as home without woman, or 3
6reside without children.
Want of time compelled the speaker
to close before he spoke Of the merits
Of large variety of apples which be
had on exhibition.