FRUIT CULTURE. 93 



conductor to superfluous moisture. Thorough draining lies at 

 the foundation of all successful cultivation. In cold, wet, 

 undrained grounds, the disease of trees commences at the root, 

 which absorbs injurious substances, and the tree ceases properly 

 to elaborate its nutritious matter. Wherever there is an excess 

 of water, and consequently too low a temperature, and the soil 

 is not properly drained and thoroughly worked, the vital ener- 

 gies of the plant are soon impaired, and its functions deranged. 

 I am inclined to think that death by drowning is quite as com- 

 mon in the vegetable as in the animal kingdom, with this 

 difference, that it is not so sudden. How many of the diseases, 

 such as the spotting of the leaf and fruit, the canker, fungi and 

 decomposition of the bark are attributable to this cause, it is not 

 easy to determine. Perfect drainage, which should always be 

 accompanied with subsoiling or trenching, permits the air and 

 liglit to penetrate and sweeten the soil, warms it, and prepares 

 its latent fertilizing properties for the nourishment of the plant. 



A writer in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of 

 England, says : " I have frequently found the soil of a well- 

 drained field higher in temperature from ten to fifteen degrees, 

 than that of another field, not so drained, though in every other 

 respect the soils were similar." Another advantage is, that 

 vegetation seldom or never suffers from the drought, where the 

 soil has been properly drained and worked. 



The necessity of thorough drainage and perfect pulverization 

 of the soil, is not less for fruits in open cultivation, than for the 

 grape under glass, Avliere one of the prerequisites has ever 

 been the perfect drainage of the border. 



In relation to locality, some succeed best in one place, while 

 others flourish well in several districts, and are elsewhere nearly 

 wortliless, and a few are adapted to general cultivation. 



The affinity of the stock to the graft, is of immense impor- 

 tance to the happy union and success of both. Some unite as 

 though ordained by Heaven to be joined, while others resist all 

 the appliances of art. We have seen trees made sick by the 

 insertion of an uncongenial scion, and finally destroyed. Well 

 does a writer remark, that " it is from the analogy of the stock 

 and graft that healthy vigor results, and unless this analogy is 

 sufficiently close, it is impossible to obtain fruits in perfection. 

 Not only does this influence manifest itself in the vigor" and 



