in this climate. Pcaclies have not yet become a jjrofituble market fruit. They 

 are so abundant everywhere — growing so rapidly and frequently, becoming trouble- 

 some from their vigorous growth — that, even in our cities, the demand for them 

 is very limited, although it is said that a citizen of Edgefield District, during the 

 lust season, realized §5,000 by shii)ping peaches to the New York market. 



The commonly received dogma, that the apple does not furnish a good stock 

 for the pear, has proved untrue in this locality. Many of the oldest ])ear-trccs 

 in the country are upon this stock, and they are still vigorous and fruitful. There 

 is a tree now standing in this village about which the following tradition exists : 

 A pear was grafted on a stock of the June aj)ple, and grew rapidly and luxuri- 

 antly. In a few years it produced fruit, and the first croj) was of June apjilesl 

 Every crop since has been of pears. This fact is well authenticated. Governor 

 Johnson, of this State, was so much struck with this singular freak of nature, that 

 he examined the tree himself, and sent an account of the occurrence (over his own 

 name) to the Spirit of the 7tmes, then supposed to be the best paper for the pub- 

 lication of such items. 



A remedy has been long sought to prevent peach-trees which have been allowed 

 to form forks from splitting when overladen with fruit. It has at length been dis- 

 covered. Take two of the smaller limbs growing on the sides next the fork, and 

 twist them around each other, but not too tightly. Do this at the commencement 

 of the growing season, so as to form a union between the two forks. These limbs 

 will readily grow together, and form a solid branch of uniform thickness, extend- 

 ing from one of the branches of the fork to the other, which, when full-grown, 

 renders it impossible for the tree to split. If the end of each limb is cut and 

 adjusted to the other at the point of final contact, as in splice grafting, it will 

 facilitate the union, and hasten the growth. 



A beautiful and singularly-shaped tree may be grown by takin|r advantage of 

 this principle. Plant in good soil two peach-trees — say two years old from the 

 seed; let the trees be such as have not been trimmed or cut back. They will 

 probably be from six to eight feet high, and free from side branches. Plant six 

 feet apart, and twist together, so that the united limbs will form an arch — say four 

 feet from the ground at its highest point. Upon the upper side of this arch, let 

 all upright shoots grow — say eighteen inches or two feet apart, and pinch off all 

 others. These upright shoots may then be budded with choice varieties, and per- 

 mitted to mature their fruit. I have found this method very useful for testing 

 seedlings. The sap being retarded by the wrapping or twisting of the trees, the 

 growth is not so vigorous, and early fruiting is the consequence. If a shoot which 

 has been budded for testing, prove worthless, cut it off, and its place will be soon 

 supplied. 



Pears are grown here mostly as standards, and mostly on free stocks. A few 

 zealous amateurs have recently introduced them on quince stocks, but they have 

 not yet been sufficiently tested. The great objection to peach culture is the un- 

 certainty of the crop. Our springs are so early and so variable, that the fruit is 

 often killed by spring frosts. Once in four years may be assumed as an average 

 of the abundant seasons. 



Cherries will 7iot succeed here. The common morcllo grows and bears well, but 

 the finer varieties (the Bigarreaus and Dukes) it is a waste of time to plant. The 

 cause is unknown. Cherry-trees, in my grounds (seven years old from the bud), 

 have not yet fruited, and much older trees in the vicinity are in the same condition. 

 There is always a profusion of bloom in the spring, and the tree gives promise 

 of an abundant harvest, but it is all a " take in." The fruit never sets. 



The " curculio" commits greater ravages here than in your colder climate 



