MARCH] THE FRUIT GARDEN. 223 



The roots being the eatable part, are large fleshy tubers, much re- 

 sembling a potato, are in perfection in autumn and all the winter, 

 and are wholesome palatable food when properly dressed. 



They are raised by sets or cuttings of the root, preparing the sets 

 and planting them as directed for potatoes, in rows three feet asunder, 

 four or five inches deep, and eighteen inches distant from one another 

 in the rows : they increase abundantly, will thrive in any tolerable 

 soil, and cannot easily be got out of the ground again, for the least 

 bit will grow. It is a native of Brazil, and a striking instance of 

 how tropical productions may gradually and successfully be intro- 

 duced and naturalized in colder climates. 



SOUTHERN STATES. 



This is a very principal month in the southern States for garden- 

 ing; all manner of work hitherto directed, may now be performed 

 there successfully. In South Carolina and Georgia they may now 

 sow the seeds of melons, cucumbers, squashes, tomatoes, egg-plants, 

 okras, red peppers, &c., as directed in the kitchen garden for April 

 and May. 



THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



PRUNING PEARS, PLUMS, CHERRIES, APPLES, ETC. 



As early in this month as possible finish pruning your cherries and 

 plums, also your apple and pear-trees before the end thereof, whether 

 as espaliers, standards, or wall trees. Peaches, nectarines, apricots, 

 almonds, quinces, &c., should also be pruned early in the month, if 

 not done before. For the particular method of pruning espalier and 

 wall trees, see the Fruit Garden for January and February, pages 

 32 and 142; and for that of the standards, the Orchard, pages 57, 

 150, &c. This should be particularly attended to, and the pruning 

 of all kinds of fruit trees finished before their buds begin to push. 



PRUNING AND TRAINING YOUNG APRICOT, NECTARINE, AND PEACH- 

 TREES, ETC., FOR ESPALIERS AND WALLS. 



Now is the only proper time to head down young wall or espalier 

 trees, &c., preparatory to their first training; such as apricot, peach, 

 and nectarine-trees planted against espaliers or walls any time since 

 last October with their first shoots, from budding at full length, 

 which, when a year old, should always be headed down low, to force 

 out lower branches to furnish the wall or espalier properly, quite 

 from the bottom. 



This should be done just as the trees begin to swell their buds ; 

 therefore watch the opportunity, and let them be headed accordingly 

 at the proper time. 



