Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-04-17
Farm. GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
Fruit Culture.

With the exercise of the greatest care
there is always an element Of chance III
fruit culture. Location, sell and other
circumstances have much to do with the
success of even the most popular variety,
and 1t may not be all we wish for when
comes into bearing. Even the stock
On which the variety is grated will
make difference. Pear and apple stocks
are raised from seed, and it is from seed
that new varieties originate. Among the
weddings are come which if permitted to
grow to trees would be very vigorous
growers and others slow or stocky
Dnes.
The same variety il grated on stocks
of opposite character cannot produce
fruit In all respects alike, any more than
would a variety pear grated on a ounce
or the same grated on pear. Thus, a
Duchess on dwarf stock is different
both in eating qualities and productive
ness from duchess grown on standard
pear stock, because the growth or nu-
triton is interfered with on the weaker
more than on the stronger stocks. After
one has an apple, pear or cherry full
grown and it does not come up to ex-
pectation, it is well to graft it with some
other Kind which by experience we find
is what we desire. Probably one of the
reasons why the earlier fruit growers did
better than so many moderns was that
they were mostly fond of grating and
continually changing the tops with a
better kind. The old plan, and proba-
NY the wisest in fruit culture, was TO top
graft certain varieties. Every good or
chardist should cut gratis before the
leaves push and bury the scions in the
earth. After the sap begins to actively
ascend the grating process may be be.
gun. If the scions have been properly
preserved so that the buds do not push,
the grating is much more likely to sue
coed after the leaves of the stock have
grown little than before. Though this
success may go on through into midsum-
mer, the sooner after the spring opens
the grating can be done the stronger
will DC the growth of the scion.
The great enemies of the fruit grower,
Insects and fungus growths, are now
measurably kept down by stem washes.
Even ordinary lime washes, colored to
prevent glare, are useful for large mum
bers of species of fungi which like to
grow on dead wood or bark and which
will not grow on lime substances. Soapy
substances are particularly noxious to
most classes of insects and species of
fungus, and it is an excellent practice to
wash the stems Herewith. Grapevine
diseases are kept in control by those who
manage them under glass through the
washing of the stems, before the leaves
push, with lime and sulphur. No doubt
similar treatment would benefit the
crop in the open air.
Increased attention is given to the ne
cessity of thinning fruit where superior
flavor is desired. In cases where GUAM
tity is preferred to quality this may not
be of so much importance. A heavy
bearing often tells ON the future vigor of
tree. Ii pruning has not been finished
when the leaves have not yet commenced
to push it should of course be finished
at once. The great aim in the care of
most bearing trees is to thin out those
shoots which show symptoms of exhaus-
ton, so as to keep stock of young and
vigorous growth.-Thomas MehaR, in
CultiUat0r.