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south side of a hill or building, are therefore to be avoided, but most of all would 

 we avoid tali naked trunks which are unspeakable unsightly nuisances — most 

 senseless, ridiculous violations of Nature's economy, especially in the West — for 

 which, however, in hard winters she fails not to take ample satisfaction. Far 

 North, or in very severe or exposed locations, sheathing the bodies with straw 

 will help ; but above all, let the bodies, the single trunk portion of our fruit 

 trees be short, not exceeding two to four feet to the main forks, which can be 

 trimmed higher up afterwards, if desired, so as to bring the bearing part of the 

 tops at their present height. We do not advocate the practice of having the 

 lower limbs spread out, on or near the surface of the ground — as, in that case, 

 the lower limbs would probably be unproductive, or if they did bear, the fruit 

 it is to be feared would, especially in dull seasons, be wanting in flavor — but let 

 the trunk, which is the grand artery for the transmission of the juices from root 

 to top and top to root again, through which more especially they have to run the 

 gauntlet of all unfa\'orable influences; let that be shortened as much as is con- 

 sistent. What that precise point is, we are yet not fully satisfied, but know, if 

 we know any thing, that it is much below the common height of trunks. But 

 even if disposed to try our hand at getting up such things we should by no 

 means take the common course of trimming to the full height so soon, whereby 

 roots, bodies, and tops, are all starved and stinted. Our only care would be to 

 keep a central, leading shoot, leaving on the side limbs as essential to the growth, 

 until there was a strong, stocky trunk. If then trimmed up, and all large wounds 

 waxed over, there would be some chance of getting a tree. 



7. Destruction of the blossom buds of the peach, plum, and heart cherries, 

 during winter, either by intense cold or severe freezing, after a warm spell, has 

 started the sap and expanded the germs. — When the mischief is done, it may 

 readily be detected by cutting open the buds at the base which shows the little 

 germ lying in the centre blackened and killed. This, in the main, is perhaps more 

 irremediable than any other injury from cold, though the liability to it is rather 

 lessened by avoiding low grounds, southern slopes, and a naked surface under 

 the trees. In a small way it might, perhaps, be prevented, if the tops of the trees 

 were kept low by covering them up with straw or stalks. Dwarf trees would, of 

 course, be far more manageable, and hence better on that account, so far as they 

 will answer here. 



8. Destruction of the blossoms or sets by late spring frosts. Well known and 

 more or less prevalent in all parts of the country — perhaps as little in the W^est 

 as in most sections. The most that can be done is to avoid low grounds and 

 southern exposures. It is said that late frosts have been successfully and profit- 

 ably kept oft" by burning piles of damp straw and brush among the trees during 

 the frosty nights; the smoke and heat, together with the currents of air caused 



