FRUIT TREES AKD FRUIT OF 1S53. 505 





Sketchy as the present remarks necessarily are, as applied to a subject having such 

 wide bearings, it may be seen by those unacquainted with our trees and shrubs, how 

 rich England is in materials for decoration, at whatever period of the year, or what- 

 ever the style ; and I may be allowed to express a hope, that all intent on beautifying 

 their gardens, parks, &c, will take into consideration the propriety of paying a due 

 i-egard to the habitudes and adaptibilities of trees and shrubs. 



FRUIT TREES AND FRUIT OF 1853. 



BY WM. BACOX, EICnMOND, MASS. 



The autumn of 1852 was beautifully fine for ripening the wood of fruit trees. The 

 season throughout was so dry that the growth of twigs was less, and stopped earlier 

 than usual. The frosts began later in the season, so that the wood had sufficient 

 time to mature and the buds to encase themselves in their sealed cells before the 

 commencement of winter; and winter, as if tired of vexing the patience by severe and 

 pinching cold alternated by thaws, preserved an even and agreeable temperature — 

 gave no very cold and but few thawy days. Spring had none of the fantastic tricks 

 of freezing and thawing in which she is so apt to play off her flirtations, to the annoy- 

 ance and injury of the cultivator. All these things were very favorable, so that in 

 due time the trees put fortli their leaves and blossoms to the extremities of their 

 healthful branches. Consequences were as follows : 



Gooseberries, currants, raspberries, &c., gave abundant crops. The former gave 

 less show of mildew than is usual, and we have no doubt but with proper precautions 

 the evil may be overcome, so that the better varieties, which are really delicious, will 

 be more generally cultivated. 



Cherries came on in their season — a good crop. There is not, in Berkshire, one 

 tree where there should be one hundred ; so that the supply was limited to individuals. 

 It is a tree of easy culture in our soil, and hardy in our climate ; and the only cause 

 why they are not raised in abundance, must be owing to the indifference of the people. 

 The Peach tree has exhibited desirable indications of health and thrift. Every tree 

 we saw was heavily laden with fruit — some with that of the most delicious quality; 

 and if all were not productive of good, it was owing to negligence or indifference of 

 the cultivators. The productions of this fruit the present year will give a new im- 

 pulse to its cultivation; and we have no doubt but Berkshire — indeed, the whole 

 country between the Hudson and Connecticut rivers — will yet produce an abundant 

 supply of peaches of the first water for its population. 



Grapes have succeeded admirably the last season, wherever they have been aided 

 by the hand of cultivation or have found a straggling matted vine to grow upon. 

 The difference in quality and maturity between those furnished by the care and no 

 care process, is decidedly in favor of the former, and should stimulate all to a 

 extra exertion to provide theraoelves with the best of this delicious and healthy 



