FRUITS. 63 



of gluten, and are on that account liiglily nutritious. Their 

 chief value, however, as diet, is in the various forms of vege- 

 table acid which they contain in such combinations with the 

 alkaline and earthy carbonates as supply an important want 

 in the process of digestion, as well as furnish the lime and 

 potash which they contain for the use of the animal economy. 



The soil and climate of our county may not be as well 

 adapted to some branches of fruit-growing as that of many 

 other localities. What Nature has failed to do for us, we can 

 accomplish by enterprising expedients ; and our market-values 

 compensate, to some extent, for these local obstacles. Our 

 glazed houses will protect our fruit from bleak winds in our 

 cool climate, and enable us to raise the richest of tropical 

 fruits ; and our nurseries can be sheltered by stone and 

 wooden walls from northerly v/inds, leaving only sunny ex- 

 posures. The importations of fruit to our State amount in 

 value to thousands of dollars. It is a problem in political 

 economy which calls for intelligent consideration to supply 

 this demand. 



Apples can be used in so many ways, that they have become 

 almost an indispensable article in our household. The large 

 number of specimens seen in many of our county fairs shows 

 conclusively that they can with care, be raised successfully 

 in our State. Trees, like field-crops, require and must have, 

 constant care, and should not be allowed everywhere, without 

 reference to the quality of the soil. Shelter is a matter of great 

 importance, not only to this fruit, but more especially to 

 pears and less hardy trees. Having secured a proper loca- 

 tion and soil, it is better to cultivate the ground at least one 

 year before setting out the trees. Apple-trees require atten- 

 tion : every year they should be pruned, and protected from 

 the ravages of insects. Some authorities advise planting 

 these trees twenty-five feet apart, and not allowing the limbs 

 to lie on the ground. Pears can be raised as easily as apples, 

 with as sure a crop, and will pay a j)rofit. These trees seem 

 to flourish on heavy clay and loam, and require to be well 

 manured : they will bear planting much nearer than apples ; 

 in fact, about double the number should be planted on an 

 acre. 



The grape is a fruit which has received attention from the 

 earliest periods of civilization to the present date, and in 



