NOTES ON SOUTHERN HORTICULTURE. 



could find in the rank grass, was a pale ■white Spiranthcs, which I carried away from tliis 

 desolate habitation of the dead. 



It is pleasant to trace out how much the taste of one person influences and improves that 

 of a whole neighborhood. JonN Bartram, by his love of collecting and planting rare and 

 curious trees, inspirited his cousin to follow in his footsteps. Marshall embellished his 

 paternal farm in ISIarlborough, the township where Pierce's Arboretum now flourishes. 

 And the Woodlands, a visit to which I shall next describe, are inclose proximity to Bar- 

 tram's garden, whose owner was a constant friend and assistant of Hamilton. Thus, 

 "like circles widening round upon a clear blue river," may the efi'orts of a single person 

 produce a salutary effect upon many generations. To all the readers of the Horticultu- 

 rist, I would re-echo the words of old Gerard: "Forward in the name of God, graft, 

 set, plant, and nourish up trees in every corner of your ground; the labor is small, the 

 cost is nothing, the commodity is great; yourselves have plenty, the poor shall have some- 

 what in time of want to relieve their necessity, and God shall reward your good mind and 

 diligence." Yours, B. 



Cambridge, Mass., Dec. 1850. 



4-»-> ■ 



NOTES ON SOUTHERN HORTICULTURE. 



BY ROBERT HARWELL, MOBILE. 



Fruit-Bearixg Age of Fruit Trees. — The puberty, or fruit-bearing age of fruit trees, 

 varies according to variety, climate and cultivation. Peach trees very often bear some fruit 

 the second year from the seed, provided they are well cultivated and well cared for in all 

 respects, and on the third year a good crop may be expected. Apple trees will begin to 

 bear fruit nearly as soon in this climate as the peach. There will not be more than one or 

 two years difference, (I mean grafted or budded apple trees.) The apple, however, is 

 much longer than the peach in developing its fruit-bearing powers fully, and, unlike the 

 peach, it does not bear its fruit generally on the wood of the previous year's growth, 

 but on spurs coming out from the limbs, of two or three 3^ears growth or more. Some 

 varieties, however, bear some fruit on the Avood of the previous year, generally from the 

 terminal buds of the young limbs. 



The apricot is about one year longer than the peach in coming into bearing, and bears 

 its fruit on the young wood of the previous year, and also on spurs coming out from the 

 older wood. I have no doubt but the apricot will succeed well in our climate with proper 

 management. I am aware that the common opinion about IMobile is, that it will not suc- 

 ceed. I do not think, however, that this common opinion has been founded on the results 

 of full and proper experiments. The apricot is a fine and very early fruit, and I shall 

 very reluctantly quit trying to produce it. The tree blossoms very early indeed, in the 

 spring, and on this account is quite liable to lose its fruit from the effects of frost. Some 

 plan, I think, can be adopted, by which its blooming time may be retarded somewhat. 

 The trees, if possible, should be planted on the north sides of buildings or fences — where 

 this cannot be done, a thick covering of straw or something of the kind over the roots of 

 the tree would, I think, keep the ground cool, and retard vegetation. 



The proper soil for the apricot is a rich loam, and where this cannot be obtained natu- 

 rally, it should be supplied artflcially. This can easily be done by preparing a proper com- 

 post, and putting it in place of the natural soil. I know of no fruit tree that equals the 

 apricot in rapid, handsome growth; indeed, it is so rampant that the most of the surf; 

 limbs should be shortened from one-third to one-half, every winter. 



