ORCHARDS. 109 



and are, therefore, less adapted to orchard than to garden 

 culture. For the latter, they possess many advantages, the 

 greatest of which is, that they come into bearing much sooner 

 than standards. They also admit a greater variety in a small 

 garden, and being within easy reach, can be much better con- 

 trolled and trained than tall standards. Dwarf apples are 

 grafted upon several species of shrubby apples known as Par- 

 adise, or Doucin stocks. They frequently produce fruit when 

 not more than two feet high, and are perfectly hardy. 



The cherry is dwarfed by grafting on the Prunus Blahaleh, 

 and is more hardy than on the Mazzard stock, which is used 

 for standards. 



MULCHING FOR FRUIT TREES. 



Mulch is a Hebrew word, to dissolve. In English, ''half rotten 

 straw, leaves, or any coarse half decayed litter.'' The benefits 

 of mulching in Horticulture, as well as in Agriculture, can 

 hardly be over-estimated ; especially when practiced in the 

 Southern States. Leaves are the natural mulch for shrubs 

 and trees of every description, and makes the best of all 

 mulching. They retain sufficient moisture, and at the same 

 time admit the air, that is also necessary for the growth and 

 proper condition of the roots of shrubs, plants and trees. 

 Half rotted straw, old hay, old tan, sea-weed, salt hay, saw- 

 dust, (not pine,) shavings, or any coarse, decaying litter — all 

 these aid in retaining moisture, and as they decompose, make 

 the right kind of manure for trees 



In England, mulching is much practiced by gardeners, to 

 keep the roots uniformly moist and cool. If an English cli- 

 mate requires such practice, how much more valuable would 

 it prove in the hot exposures of the south. In order to aid 

 in retaining this desirable state of coolness and moisture for 

 fruit trees. Professor Turner's theory, which relates to forming 

 and keeping the head and branches of a tree loiv, so as to shade 

 and shelter the stem and branches, and even the soil in which 

 the roots grow, from violent sunshine, is worthy of extensive 

 treatment in this way ; especially in those States south of 



