226 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



depth, and this soil is to be packed down with a pestle, as solid 

 as a turnpike. Then the tree is set, the soil placed among the 

 roots, and packed to the same hardness with the pestle, till the 

 work is finished. This is for the reason that when the tree bears 

 it wants all the soil it can get, and there will be none too much. 



In the fall and early spring, when the tree is dormant, what soil 

 can be taken out around the trunk and over the roots is removed 

 and replaced with fresh compost. 



In the spring, after the trees blossom, they frequently are 

 syringed with water to kill the little red spider which is almost 

 invisible, otherwise it might kill the tree. Before the trees are 

 set away in the fall, their trunks and limbs are brushed with a 

 thick solution of sulphur and nux vomica, to kill the great variety 

 of insects which harbor in such a nice place. If not killed they 

 would destroy the buds and the tree. 



While the trees are growing fast each pot requires a gallon of 

 water a day ; in less growing times a pint of water will do, or a 

 quart every other day. Once a week each is watered with liquid 

 manure. It is necessary to thin out the blossoms to the number 

 the tree should bear. A good cistern should belong to the orchard 

 house. One of these trees will bear forty or fifty very large 

 peaches. 



Thus far, Mr. S. has grown only peaches and nectarines, but he 

 is introducing plums and pears and cherries also, which he sa^'s 

 do remarkably well. 



The grub gets in these trees just the same as if grown outdoors^ 

 and requires to be got out twice a year. 



One may take a poor peach tree one year old, and having fruit 

 buds, transplant into a pot, and it will bear the next year. Any 

 variety, one year from bud, will answer. But the best is called 

 "The Buchanan." This is said to have originated in Georgia. 

 Even in the open ground it does not grow more than five to six 

 feet high. The fruit is very fine, the tree one of the hardiest. 

 From its drawf nature, the limbs being only a few inches apart, 

 and the buds in clusters, the fruit hangs like grapes. 



In cultivating in this manner knowledge and attention is required. 

 Common sense is good, though it is a scarce commodity. The 

 trees on exhibition were loaded with beautiful fruit. O ye rich 

 folks on the prairies, take this little story to heart. 



Mr. Seitz told me this : that a person who has no orchard house 

 can raise these dwarf trees by keepiug them in a cellar in winter^ 



