OCT.] THE VINEYARD. 553 



PLANTING AND PRUNING FRUIT-TREES. 



"What I have said under the article Fruit Garden for this month, 

 is perfectly applicable, inasmuch as it has relation to the planting and 

 pruning of orchards at this season. But for general instructions on 

 these heads, I refer you to the article Orchard, in January, page 57, 

 February, page 150, and March, page 234, &c. After a careful 

 perusal of what is there said, you will be perfectly able to judge (taking 

 into consideration .the nature of your soil and local situation of the 

 place), whether it is more prudent for you. to plant and prune in the 

 autumn, or to defer that business till the opening of spring. 



If any of your fruit-trees are cracked and rough in the bark when 

 the fruit is pulled, scrape off the loose parts, and, with a large paint- 

 ing brush apply a mixture of cow-dung and urine made to the con- 

 sistence of a thick paint, covering the stem and any other parts so 

 affected carefully over therewith. This will soften the old rough 

 bark, which will peal off with it during the following winter and 

 spring, leaving after it the smooth fresh bark only. Your trees being 

 freed from that incumbrance and harbor for worms, insects, &c., will 

 thrive much more luxuriantly than before. 



THE VINEYARD. 



Having given ample instructions last month for the making of 

 wines, curing of raisins, and preserving the fruit fresh for a length 

 of time, &c., it is unnecessary to touch upon those subjects in this 

 place ; therefore, I have only to refer you to the article Vineyard, on 

 page 509, &c., for information respecting anything yet remaining to 

 be done of what was there recommended. 



In the southern States vineyards may now be planted, and vines 

 propagated by cuttings, &c., and indeed where the winters are mild 

 and but little or no frost, this is the most suitable season for so doing, 

 particularly towards the latter end of the month. But in the middle 

 States the month of March, and in the eastern States the early part 

 of April will be the most preferable periods in which to perform this 

 business. 



The subject of planting and propagating the vine being treated of 

 at full length in March, beginning at page 244, I refer you thereto 

 for the necessary information. 



In the middle States, rooted vines may now be transplanted if 

 necessity requires it, but in no other case would I recommend it ; 

 and these should be protected by laying litter around their roots, or 

 some other suitable defence from the severity of the frosts. Layers, 

 however, may now be made with good prospects of success ; and if 

 you find it more convenient to procure cuttings at this season than 

 in spring, you may plant them ; but observe that it will be necessary 

 to cover them lightly with straw, fern, leaves of trees, or some other 



