ft. 



44 EDITOR'S TABLE. W 



OnsKnvATioxs on Kauly Foiuixcj. — If wo tiiko n rot lospeclivc view of tlio ("cioiu-e of liorlioullurc 

 for the last ton years, wo shull certiiiiily fiiul llial fureiiig ourly fruits liiis not jirogreBsed, but rolro- 

 gruJcd ; a few, aud very few, exceptions to the rule have been found, ultlioug)i os])Cciiil claims 

 have been insisted upon that the forcing department is more cflicicnt now than it was at the 

 above-mentioned period. Suoli, however, is not the cat^e. 



There is nothing in tiie whole routine of a woli-kept place, that i)iae('8 the Fkiilful gardener in 

 a higher position than tine croj)9 of early fruit under glass. Since the introductitjn of improved 

 methods of heating, and invariably claiming our attention, arc the difl'erent modifications of 

 healing by hot water — ^|tlie low price of glass, compared with what it was some years since — the 

 enterprise that characterizes some of the wealthy amateurs and gentlemen of refined taste — it is 

 extraordinary that erections for the production of early fruits thould be so seldom met with. 

 Gentlemen witness, in many places that fall under their notice, sometimes poor crops, and oftencr 

 miserable failures^ in structures every way calculated for a different result, and where nature has 

 been but slightlj- assisted by artificial means. Hence they are deterred from erecting a house, or 

 houses, especially adajited for the production of early fruit, as structures suitable for the jiurpose 

 would secure an abundant sup])ly, xmAer judicious managemcvt, at the earliest possible peiiod, and 

 in the greatest perfection. Five hundred dollars expended on a house for the purpose of early 

 forcing, would contribute much to the addition of securing a good dessert, beside being an annual 

 contribution that would be hailed with delight, because occurring at a season of the year when 

 ripe fruit would be a most grateful welcomp. 



Gentlemen should not be deterred from making an essay in the forcing department, because 

 they may witness some experiments that are not successful. Every practical gardener has ambi- 

 tion to excel in the production of early friiits ; although it is true that some gardeners may excel 

 at plant cultivators, and find themselves wholly inadequate to conduct successfully an establish- 

 ment where forcing is made a desideratum. Forcing early fruit should not be allowed to fall into 

 disrepute, because the majority of gardeners may excel in embellishing their respective places in 

 the highest artistic manner with plants, but are wholly inade(|uate to grapple with the science of 

 forcing. Think of the gratification a gardener would have in placing a dessert upon his employer's 

 table, at an early season of the year, second to none in the world ; and horticultural societies 

 would afford him an opportunity of "illustrating " that they were the best in his neighborhood. 

 Then he might with propriety say, that " this dessert, sir, is the best in New York," or " Phila- 

 delphia " (as the case might be). Then the merits of a skillful gardener could be realized and 

 appreciated. Interest having been excited in the growing crop, as it advances towards maturity, 

 new interest would be felt for the garden and the produce. Nothing is better calculated to leave 

 a more lasting imjiression, than to keep the table well supplied with fruits and vegetables. 



By no means must it be understood that I am opposed to plant culture, and excellence in eid- 

 ture, combined with neatness — predominating characteristics in private establishments, which 

 are sure to be favorably noticed. Still, however, it is to be regretted that gardeners do not pay 

 more attention to the culture of fruit than they do, instead of devoting all their time and 

 resources to plant culture, as is too often the case. Hence, a strong desire should animate every 

 gardener, not to excel in one particular branch of the profession, but to have a thorough, prac- 

 tical education, so that it woidd be a matter of indifference to him whether he was called upon 

 to produce a crop of Grapes, or Peaches, or Nectarines, in the month of April, or a collection of 

 well-grown show plants in the month of May. And he who unites within himself the happy 

 medium of excelling in both departments, may truly be styled a "practical gardener." 



Shoidd these few observations induce a more general practice, and bring early forcing more 



into notice than it is at present, the forcing of fruits especially, I shall hail such an advent with 



a strong conviction that better days are ahead for the horticultural world. It only requires to be 



fully practiced, to make forcing an object of interest in every place of any claims to horti 



al distinction. James Stewart. — Philadelphia, Pa. 



