550 , AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



These sentences contain a theorem upon which success in fruit culture mainly 

 depends, and upon which are founded the various devices and expedients re- 

 sorted to by intelligent fruit-growers. 



A fruit-bearing tree must attain to a certain degree of maturity before it can 

 produce fruit, and this period may be hastened or retarded, as willed by the 

 cultivator. Recognizing the fact that an extra luxuriant growth and a fruitful 

 condition of the plant are to a certain extent antagonistic properties, and also 

 that in soils of ordinary fertility the wood-producing force strongly predomi- 

 nates, fruit-gi'owers practice various expedients, with a view to check mere 

 wood-growth and encourage the formation of fruit buds. Grafting strong grow- 

 ing sorts upon those of less vigor is a favorite and effectual mode ; bending 

 down the branches, pruning the roots, and restraining root-growth by confining 

 them to limited areas, are processes practiced with more or less success. 



Restricting growth by confining the roots is the most immediately effective 

 of all modes, and this is one of the conditions obtained in orchard houses. To 

 effect this purpose the trees are placed in pots or boxes ; the roots speedily fill 

 them, and further extension is checked, resulting in thoroughly matured wood- 

 growth, and a profuse formation of flower buds. The main difference between 

 the interior arrangement of a greenhouse and that of an orchard house is, that 

 in the first named the pots or boxes are set on shelves supported by stagings, 

 while in the latter they are placed on a bed of soil. Much of the success at- 

 tending the system depends upon this peculiarity. The limited portion of soil 

 contained in the pot would not, in itself, be sufficient to enable the plant to ma- 

 ture a good crop ; but by placing the pots on a bed of soil, the roots will protude 

 through the holes in the bottom and ramify unrestricted while the fruit is ma- 

 turing, and a comparatively heavy crop can be produced. 



It has already been remarked that an over-luxuriant growth of branches will 

 defeat the object of retaining a fruitful habit, and if the pots are left permanently 

 in this position barren growths would follow. Therefore, as soon as the fruit 

 is matured, further extension of growth is to be checked by turning the pot so 

 as to twist the roots. This operation should be repeated once a week until the 

 roots are entirely separated from the pot. This will completely check wood- 

 growth, and the branches will again become studded thickly with fruit buds 

 preparatory for another crop. 



The principles upon which this mode of culture is founded are so apparent, 

 and their practical application so simple, that they can be understood even by 

 a tyro in vegetable physiology. 



With a view to admit of a more rapid extension of root-growth during the 

 fruit-maturing period, several trees have been placed in pots with perforated 

 sides. The perforations are half an inch in diameter, and placed two inches 

 apart over the whole side surface of the pot. These pots are plunged until the 

 rims are level with the surface of the soil, and the young roots speedily avail 

 themselves of these openings and occupy the surrounding soil. It may here 

 be remarked that we have used these pots in the greenhouse. The holes are 

 stuffed with moss, and the plant potted in the usual mode. The free admission 

 of air to the roots, and the reduced evaporating pot surface, renders the neces- 

 sity for watering less frequent, and many greenhouse plants thrive better in 

 these than in the pots as generally constructed. 



In order to furnish examples of various modes of applying the principles of 

 house culture of fruits, a small house has been arranged with a shallow bed of 

 soil, in which the trees are planted without pots. This is perhaps a more per- 

 manent arrangement than that previously described, and possesses decided ad- 

 vantages with regard to the details of management. The depth of the soil does 

 not exceed nine inches, and its drainage and ventilation carefully secured. In 

 this mode the plants are as completely under control as when grown in pots. 

 When a tendency to overgrowth becomes apparent, the trees are root-pruned 



