FRUIT CULTURE. 37]^ 



and about rocks, have not only germinated, but have competed in 

 growth with many forest trees. Of course, if we wish for choice 

 fruit, the trees must be properly cared for. Let me then urge 

 every one who has land, to plant thereon fruit trees which will 

 furnish an Eden, where he may enjoy the results of his skill, in- 

 dustry and faith in Him who giveth seed time and harvest. Teach 

 3'-our children the arts of horticulture ; it will benefit them ; it will 

 aid you to train them up in the way they should go ; it will spread 

 around home the strongest endearments. 



Soil. 



In. order to be successful in the cultivation of fruit, it is neces- 

 sary that a soil be selected that is congenial to the kind of fruit 

 we wish to produce. Every tree and plant prefers its peculiar soil 

 in which it flourishes best, requires less manure and cultivation, 

 and produces better fruit than in one less congenial j yet so differ- 

 ent are the various species, that almost every soil, from the peat 

 bog to the sandy plain, is adapted to some kind of fruit. That 

 which is best adapted to apples is a strong deep soil, mingled 

 with slaty rocks impregnated with iron. A deep granite soil is 

 also well adapted to apple trees. Fifty years ago they were 

 planted on such soil ; they grew well, and produced fruit in 

 abundance. 



I well remember when a boy, of being sent with a team to a man 

 that had a large orchard to get a load of apples. He said I might 

 have my choice of fruit for five cents per bushel. This man, a few 

 years afterwards, concluded it was not profitable to be encumbered 

 with so much fruit, and cut down a large portion of his trees. If 

 instead of destroying them, he had cultivated and grafted his 

 orchard, it would now be worth more than all the rest of the farm. 



But our soil has deteriorated ; it will not produce fruit trees as 

 it would fifty years ago. They would then grow almost anywhere, 

 and with little care. Now it is needful in the first place to select 

 a deep, strong soil, one suited to the growth of the rock maple, 

 raspberry and blackberry. If such a soil is well prepared and the 

 trees properly planted and cared for, they will grow and bear well. 

 In relation to the preparation of the soil, much has been said and 

 written ; but in my opinion less depends on the preparation of the 

 soil where it is not too wet, than upon proper planting and after 

 cultivation. The greatest danger from undue wetness is on flat 

 lands, where stagnant water remains around the roots. If trees 



