74 



GENESEE FARMER. 



May, 1845 







HORTICULTURAL DEPART.MEJS'T 



Br p. BARRY. 



SPRING WEATHER—PROSPECTS OF THE 

 FRUIT CROP, &c. 



In this region Vv'e have had the most favorable 

 spring for transplanting trees, and arranging and 

 la3-ing out gardens, orchard?, and pleasure-gronnds, 

 that is within our memory ; opening about the 10th 

 of Alarch, and continuing up to the 25th of April, 

 with only a trivial interruption of a few frost;f days. 

 Vegetation has been brought forward gradually, and 

 has not suffered in any locality that Vv-c have heard 

 from, in Western New York, by severe frosts. 



The last week has been unusually warm for April, 

 and that, with the copious rains which preceded it, 

 has caused a wonderfully rapid development of leaves 

 and blossoms. 



The country now presents a glorious and gladden- 

 ing sight. Never have we seen fruit trees so prom- 

 ising as they now are : if we escape injury by frosts, 

 we may reasonably anticipate the most abundant 

 fruit crop we have seen for many a year. For this 

 we have great reason to be thankful. Throughout 

 Ohio, and other sections of the west, the entire 

 fruit crop is destroyed ; and even the wheat crop, by 

 combined drought and frosts, is in many sections 

 ruined. 



For vegetable gardening, the weather has not 

 been so favorable. It has generally been too coM 

 for seeds to vegetate, except in the warmest soils. 

 We have no doubt that many of the early-sown 

 seeds have rotted ; but the weather since the 24th of 

 April has been so warm, that early vegetables will 

 yet be matured in good season, where timely and 

 proper exertion is made. 



PROGRESS OF FRUIT CULTURE. 



It is cheering to those who are laboring to pro- 

 mote the cultivation of fruit throughout our coun- 

 try, to witness the increased interest which has 

 been manifested on this subject during the present 

 season, compared with preceding ones. 



It does now seem, that the importance of fruit 

 culture begins to be justly estimated — at least, by a 

 large number. If the same spirit be maintained for 

 the next quarter of a century, of which we have not 

 a doubt, every family in the land will be in the en- 

 joyment of an abundance of choice fruit ; and not 

 only that, but the fruits of North America will be 

 shipped to every countrv in the world. We build 

 these calculations on the known unbounded facilities 

 which our soil and climate afford, as well as on the 

 indomitable energy of our people, and their unequal- 

 ed enterprise. 



Orchards have recently been planted, on the most 

 extensive scale, for the purpose of raising fruit for 

 export to China and elsewhere. No pains nor ex- 

 pense have been spared by the planters to procure 

 the most desirable varieties : and we are proud to 

 know, that Western New York has furnished some 

 native productions that stand pre-eminent. 



Our famous " Northern Spy" apple has been in 

 great demand. All the trees that were in an way 

 fit to plant have been sent out • many orchardists 



have planted one hundred trees of this variety alone. 

 If proper attention i ; bestowed to this subject, we 

 believe that in a few years a va^^ number of varie- 

 ties, of superior merit to the best we now know, 

 may be brought to notice, and contribute largely to 

 the public good. Every man who aids in introdu- 

 cing a new and valuable fruit, is, in some degree at 

 least, a benefactor of his race. 



SPRING-BLOOMir^TG HARDY TREES AND 

 SHRUBS. 



For the benefit of those who take an interest in 

 the floral department, (and we hope they are not 

 few,) we would mention a number of beautiful trees 

 and shrubs now in full bloom, (April 28th:) 



Donhle-Floicering Cherry. — This, like most other 

 cherries, is a beautifully formed tree, and is now load- 

 ed with large clusters of double flowers, as double 

 as a cabbage rose, about the size, or a little larger, 

 of a 25-cent, piece. This is a most desirable tree 

 for shade and ornament. 



Donhle-Flowering Peach. — This resembles other 

 peach trees in form and habit, with a great profusion 

 of double rosy blossoms ; very handsome, and forms 

 a beautiful contrast with the foregoing. 



Large Double- Flotccring Almond. — This tree re- 

 sembles the peacii ; is of much stronger growth, 

 and attains a larger growth than the peach usually 

 does. The blossoms are just now beginning to 

 open : the color is a beautiful rosy red. When in 

 full bloom, every branch resembles a wreath of deli- 

 cate roses. A most magnificent tree. 



Pyrus Juponica, or Cydonia .Taponica — Japan 

 Quince. — This is a low, spreading shrub or bush, 

 with shining, glossy foliage, and the most brilliant 

 scarlet and rose-colored blossom^^, perfectly hardy, 

 and a regular and most profuse bloomer. This we 

 esteem one of the most superb shrubs cultivated. 

 We once saw about 100 feet of a hedge of this 

 shrub, in full bloom, as it is now, and it was certain- 

 ly the richest thing of the kind we have ever beheld. 

 i>Jo shrubbery should be without it. 



Double-Flotccring Sloe. — This is another low- 

 spreading bush ; flowers small and double, pure 

 white, the whole bush completely covered when in 

 full bloom, so that it resembles a heap of snowy 

 wreaths ; flowers delicate and pretty. One of the 

 finest and most desirable spring-blooming shrubs. 



We should allude to several other beautiful spring- 

 blooming trees and shrubs ; but space will not per- 

 mit us at present. 



PRETTY BORDER PLANTS NOW IN 

 BLOOM. 



To those who love flowers, none are more desira- 

 ble than those of early spring. The Primula, or 

 Polyanthus, used for borders, is a beautiful plant. , 

 Our borders now are quite gaudy with them. They 

 are hardy, and of very easy culture. 



The Pansy or Hcarfs Ease, too, is a sweet uni- 

 versal favorite. It turns up its pretty little face to 

 the first warm spring sun, and blooms on till it is 

 again buried beneath the snoAV. The fine new vari- 

 eties are now as large and round as a dollar, and pos- 

 sess the richest tints. 



Phlox Sctacea is another low, pretty plant, much 

 used for borders. It is called " Moss Pink ;'' flowers 

 of a fine lilac color, very showy. 



Hyacinths, A^arcissus, k,c., are now in full bloom, 

 and filling the garden with their delicious fragrance, 

 which, with their varied and delicate colors and easi- 

 ness of culture, renders them universal favorites. 



