e 



en 



THE GENESEE FARMER. 



:.^3 



always be understood that dwarf trees require a soil of the best quahty ; and that, too, 

 kept in tlie best condition. The roots do not extend like the roots of standard trees, 

 and must obtain a liberal supply of food from a small compass. WJien the soil is rii^ht 

 in regard to dryness, depth, and richness, the next consideration should be — 



7'he Trees. These should be on stocks most suitable for dwarfintr the species ; they 

 should be healthy, vigorous, and of such growth as to be easily moulded into the form 

 in which they are to be gro»yn. The matter of stocks is one of the most important, and 

 should be considered as though the entire success of the undertaking de])ended upon it. 

 There is yet, even among experienced growers of trees, a very great want of knowledo-e 

 on the subject. Most people act with a degree of impatience that in many ca.^es proves 

 fatal to their success. They must have large trees — bearing trees. Tree dealers, as a 

 general thing, say : " Our customers want lair/e trees, above all." No man who pro- 

 ceeds upon this pi-inciple, can make a fruit garden or orchard that will be either success- 

 ful or satisfactory. What is it to wait a year, or two years even, compared to having 

 beautiful instead of unsightly trees ? We know a gentleman who is at this moment 

 rooting up a plantation made on the principle of the " larger the better," to make room 

 for young, well-shaped trees. Taste and experience will lead to this in time. 



Next comes the question of Varieties. Here, instead of making out a list of the best 

 without regard to circumstances, such should be chosen, and sucli only, as have been 

 proved to succeed well on the stocks used for dwarfing, and are of such habits of growth 

 as will make their training a thing practicable. In order to secure these objects, it may 

 be necessary to dispense with favorite and first rate sorts ; for it is far better to succeed 

 well with a good or second rate sort, than to fail with one a degree better. Neither 

 should a large number of varieties be made a special object ; for that and entire satis- 

 faction otherwise can rarely be obtained. 



Next comes the arrangement and the planting, involving many practical details to 

 which we can not now refer particularly. 



And when all this is done, there is the After Culture ; for trees can take care of 

 themselves no more than domestic animals, and more especially when it is desired to 

 maintain and enjoy a high state of artificial culture. An annual pruning, and pruning 

 and pinching at intervals, are necessary ; the nature and objects of which must be 

 studied until well understood. Then there is manuring, which must be done in such a 

 way as to meet the wants of the tree, keeping in view the nature of the soil ; for the 

 same quantity or kind of manure will not be applicable in all cases. 



We will close by recommending to all who are cultivating dwarf fruit trees, to mulch 

 them with half decomposed stable manure from three to six inches deep, on the com- 

 mencement of winter. This excludes the trost from the roots near the surface, and the 

 snow and rains dissolve it, and send down its best soluble parts to be taken up by the 

 roots the following spring. This supplies the exhaustion of the previous year, and the 

 trees are sustained in an uniform vigor. Thus mulching accomplishes a two-fold object, 

 and may with great advantage be applied to other than dwarf fruit trees. 



Number of Plants on an Acre, at given distances apart. — The followino- table 

 may be useful to the gardener, in showing the number of plants or trees that may be 

 raised on an acre of ground, when planted at any of the undermentioned distances. T. T. 



DUta/nce apart. Number of Plants. 



1 foot 4.3,560 



\}4 feet, 19,360 



2 



2X 



8 



4 



5 



6 



in,s90 

 6,969 

 4,S40 

 2,722 

 1,T42 

 1,210 



Distance apart. Number of PlanU. 



9 feet, r)37 



12 " ;:;; .sne 



15 " 103 



18 « 1.34 



!)S 



T) 



