54 MONTHLY JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE. 



Neither they themselves nor the public at large have, as we think, yet begun 

 to appreciate or realize the eminent advantages of their position. They do not 

 seem to be sensible of" the vast benefit of having, not only natural and navigable 

 canals at their doors, but canals that abound in every luxury in season, and in 

 respect of the cultivation of all the delicate fruits, a position which enables ihem 

 to pick and ship them directly to the West Indies, or elsewhere, without any lia- 

 bility to be bruised or injured. But how far the lands on some of these tide-water 

 courses, especially where they are contiguous to the capes, or otherwise exposed 

 to strong blasts of salt air, may prove congenial to the growth of the apple and 

 other fruit trees, we are not fully advised. 



On a very agreeable visit, lately, to Hon. Judge Mitchill, (President of the 

 Queens County Agricultural Society,) at Plandome, on the North side of Long 

 Island, we have observed that fruit and forest trees flourish with an appearance 

 of extraordinary health, vigor and rapid growth — especially the locust tree — such 

 as we have rarely seen elsewhere. The locust there has been known to yield 

 good posts, squaring 3 by 4, in seven years ; and we were credibly informed that 

 some years since, when timber was very high, the locust timber of half an acre 

 sold for f 1.400. One locust tree in that vicinity sold to a wheelwright when 

 cut into timber, for $25. There are locust posts at Plandome, doing their office 

 well, that were planted in 1791. Cherries, and apples, and pears luxuriate as 

 if in their indigenous home ; and yet, Ave have understood that on the south 

 side of the island, exposed to strong winds sweeping over the ocean and carry- 

 ing its spray across the country, fruit trees, especially apples, do badly. But we 

 apprehend that for the shores of the Patuxent, one of the most beautiful rivers 

 in the world, and all other river-side farms where the apple tree is seen, when 

 cared for, to enjoy good health, its fruit offers one of the most templing and cer- 

 tain objects that can now be presented to the attention of the landholder. But, 

 alas ! our population is so unquiet, with little capital to improve Avhat they have, 

 with no warehouse system for their benefit, with indolent and extravagant habits 

 in too many cases, and with one eye fixed on cheap lands in the west and the 

 other on nothing in particular, how can we expect that display of patience and 

 steady industry which is implied in and necessary for the flaiitation and care of 

 orchards ? Ah ! if a wall as high as the heavens had surrounded the Old Thir- 

 teen, instead of the lands they have given away in the Avest, and the roads and 

 canals they have made to carry there their men and capital, how different Avould 

 now be their agricultural condition ! 



But to return : those who Avould embark in the cultivation of fruit with a view 

 to sale and profit, must go at it in good earnest, as a branch of their business 

 worthy of all care and study. Their land must be put, for this, as it should be 

 •for everything, in good and suitable order ; their trees, if not reared and budded 

 by themselves, as they ought to be, must be Avell selected by mirsery men who 

 can be relied on; and Avhen planted, attended to, examined, cleaned and cared 

 for, as children are by all careful parents. Their diseases must be watched and 

 medicated, and their enemies, external and internal, expelled and kept off. 

 What parents, of common decency, allow their offspring to be begrimed with 

 filth, or devoured by vermin Avithout or within ? Just such care do young trees 

 require, if you would have them enjoy vigorous health and groAv apace; and he 

 that is not prepared to bestoAV such attention on his orchard, of Avhatever kind, 

 had better not go to the expense of cumbering* his ground Avith one, that if 

 neglected, will only serve to reproach a'id degrade him as a farmer. 



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