The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-04-17
PART H.-CONCLUDEp.
ram Harpr,'s Moaihly Magazine.

III many COOKS on 1rult culture much
space has been given to dwarf pears. ap-
pies and cherries, and trees of this char
acter were planted much more largely
some years ago than at present. The
pear is dwarted by grating it on the
ounce: the apple can be limited to a
mere garden fruit tree in size by being
grown on Doucin stock, Or even re-
duced to the size of a bush if compelled
to draw its life through the roots of the
Paradise. These two named stocks much
employed by European nursery men, are
distinct species of apples, and reproduce
| themselves without variation from the
seed. The cherry is dwarfed by being
worked on the Mahaleb, a small hand
some tree with glossy, deep green foliage,
and cultivated abroad as an ornament of
lawns. Except in the hands of practiced
gardeners, trees thus dwarfed are seldom
satisfactory, for much skill and care are
required in their cultivation. Their chief
advantages consist in the fact that they
bear early and take but little space
Therefore they may be considered worthy
OF attention by the purchasers of small
places. Those who are disposed to make
pets of their trees aud to indulge in hor
tcnltural experiments can derive much
pleasure from these dwarfs, for they can
be developed into symmetrical pyramids
or graceful, fruitful shrubs within the
limits of garden border.
| When the seeds of ordinary apples and
pears are sown they produce seedlings,
or free stocks. and upon these are budded
or grated the fine varieties which COM
pose our orchards. They are known as
standard trees; they come into bearing
more slowly, and eventually attain the
normal size familiar to us all. Standard
cherries are worked on seedlings of the
Mazzard, which Barry describes as
lofty, rapid-growing, pyramidal- headed
tree | should advise the reader to in
dulge in the dwarfs very charity, and
chiefly as source of fairly profitable
amusement. 1t is to the standards that
he will look for shade, beauty aud abun-
dance of fruit.
Since we have been dwelling on the
apple, pear and cherry, there are certain
advantages Of continuing the subject in
the same connection, giving the princi-
pies of cultivation and care until the
trees reach maturity. During the first
summer al occasional watering may be
required in long periods of drought. In
many instances buds will form and start
along the stem of the tree, or near the
roots. These should be rubbed off the
moment they are detected.
One Of our chief aims is to form an
evenly balanced, open, symmetrical head,
and this can often be accomplished bet
ter by little watchfulness during the
season of growth than at any other time
| IT, for instance, two branches start SO
closely together that one or the other
must be removed in the spring pruning
why let the superlluous one grow at all !?
1t is just so much wasted effort. By rub,
bing off the pushing bud or tender shoot
the strength of the tree is thrown into
the branches that we wish to remain.
Thus the eye and hand of the master be
come to the young tree what instruction.
counsel, and admonition are to growing
boy, with the difference that the tree is
easily and certainly managed when taken
in time.
Trees left to themselves tend to form
too much wood, like the grapevine. OF
course fine fruit is impossible when tie
head OF tree is like thicket. The
growth of unchecked branches follows
the terminal bud, thus producing long
naked reaches of wood devoid of fruit
spurs. Therefore the need of shortening
in, 50 that side branches may be devel-
oped. When the reader remembers that
every dormant bud in early spring is a
possible branch, and that even the imma-
ture buds at the axl of the leaves in
early summer can be forced into imme-
diate growth by pinchine back the lead
ing shoot, he will see how entirely the
young tree is under his control These
simple facts and principles are worth far
more to the intelligent man than any
number of arbitrary rules as to pruning.
Reason and observation soon guide his
hand in summer 81 his knife in March,
the season when trees are usually trim
med.
Beyond shortening in leading branches
and cutting out crossing and interfering
5oughs, so as to keep the head symmet-
rical and open to light and air, the cherry
does not need very much pruning. If
with the laps of years it becomes neces-
sary to take off large limbs from any
fruit tree, the authorities recommend
carly June as the best season for the OPP
Grafton.
1t will soon be discovered-quite likely
during the first summer-that fruit trees
have enemies, that they need not only
cultivation and feeding, but also protec-
ton. The pear, apple and ounce are
is almost impossible to guard against or
cure-the fire blight OF course there
have been innumerable preveptives and
cures recommended, just as we see a
dozen certain remedies for consumption
advertised in any popular journal, but
the disease still remains a disheartening
| mystery and is more fatal TO the near
than to its kindred fruits. | have had
thrifty young trees, just coming into
bearing, suddenly turn black IN both
wood and foliage, appearing in the dist
ance as if scorched by blast from a
furnace. In another instance large
mature tree was attacked, losing in a
summer half its boughs. These were cut
ont and the remainder of the tree APP
peared healthy during the following sum
MGR, and bore a good crop of fruit. The
disease often attacks but a single branch,
or a small portion of the tree. The 3u
thorities advise that everything should
be cut away at once below all evidenc
trees have been attacked ard have reco,
ered others were apparently recovering.
but died year or two later. One coulC
theorize to the end of a volume about the
trouble. frankly confess that | know
neither the cause nor the remedy. 1t
seems to me that our best resource is TO
| 10 Il