CULTURE OF DWARF FRUIT TREES. 



diameter, and covered with their delicate foliage to the edge of the pot, while their crowns 

 were entirely concealed b}' their flowers. I learned that two different systems of pruning 

 this family of plants, are adopted by those who grow them extensively. Some cultiva- 

 tors aim at i)roducing a circular head to these plants, so as to present to the eye a dome 

 of bloom; while others, (and they are now among the best growers,) prefer giving the 

 plant a more irregular tree-like outline. I saw man}' trained in each way, and I give the 

 preference to the latter, as the more truly symmetrical, because the more natural form. 

 Amongst these heaths some of the most striking were Cavendishii, Perspicua nana, Ventri- 

 cosa, Superba, Densa, Ilartnelli, Splcndens, Cerinthoides, and Boweana, which I name in 

 the hope of seeing more attention paid to this family amongst ourselves. By keeping them 

 principally in a north aspect, out of the hot rays of the sun, in the summer months, I have 

 succeeded here in growing plants of them in a very fair state of perfection; and I by no 

 means despair (as I see my plants improve daily) of in time having them as large as is 

 convenient to an amateur whose collection is limited. AYe afterwards passed on to the 

 Fruit tent, which was filled with forced fruit of all descriptions, from the pine apple to 

 the cherry. Many more were the floral wonders of the day; but I must pause, having 

 noticed those principal ones which commanded the greatest share of admiration. There 

 is a very handsome conservatory in the gardens, which is some forty or fifty feet in height, 

 filled principally with Australian and hard-wooded plants, which do not require a very 

 high temperature in winter. Some of the Acacia family flourish there in great per- 

 fection. After inspecting the flowers we joined the promenade of fashionables in the Ar- 

 boretum, wiiiLst tliree military bands belonging to the regiments of guards stationed in 

 London, appeared to vie with each other for the palm of excellence in " discoursing sweet 

 music," with a degree of rivalry equal to that evinced by the horticultural competitors. 



At six o'clock the exhibition closes. The exhibitors and their gardeners take posses- 

 sion of the tents; and in two hours more, there is scarcely a plant left of the hundreds 

 which adorned them; whilst the company linger on the lawns until the shades of evening 

 warn them that the pleasure of each happy day must have an end. Such was my "day 

 at Chiswick," and long will the hours I passed there present pleasing reminiscences to my 

 memory. Americus. 



CULTURE OF DWAllF FRUIT TREES. 



BY P. BARRY, ROCHESTER.* 



The attention given at the present time to the culture of dwarf fruit trees, both in the 

 garden and orchard, in all parts of the country, renders the subject one of the most im- 

 portant in the whole range of horticulture; and at a hazard of repeating what we may 

 have heretofore said, we will take this occasion to ofter a few hints on their management. 

 We are well convinced from hundreds of letters received from those who are engaged or 

 engaging in their culture, that witli all the information that has been in various ways 

 elicited within a year or two past, there yet exists a very general want of that particular 

 kind of knowledge — and not only knowledge, but of that earnestness and appreciation — 

 so indispensable to success. A vast number of persons who never before gave a thought 

 to fruit culture, are all at once tempted into it by the irresistible attractiveness of some 

 (g dwarf trees, not over three or four years old, Avhich the}' have seen loaded with 



* Fioin liie Genesee Farmer. 



