lo. 8. 



Composition for Peach Trees. 



257 



le parent vine, and be obtained from a soil, 

 tuation, and climate, similar to those in 

 'hich they are intended to grow; but if any 

 ifference in these respects should unavoid- 

 bly occur, it will be better to transplant 

 om a poorer to a richer, and from a dryer 

 ) a moister soil, as also from a colder to a 

 'armer climate. But should it be necessary 

 ) convey the cuttings from a distance, their 

 )wer ends should be immersed in a compo- 

 tion of fine earth, well mixed with linseed 

 r other oil, of about the consistence of tar, 

 3 soon as they are cut oft' from the parent 

 ;ock, at the same time, taking the precau- 

 on not to cut oft" the top ends till the mo- 

 lent they are to be used. 



If the situation of the ground be on a 

 lain, or in a valley, it should be dug two 

 ;et in depth, and on rising ground three ; 

 ut on a hill-side, somewhat steeper, it should 

 e turned up at least four feet, in order that 

 le roots may penetrate beyond the reach of 

 rought. If the cuttings are intended to be 

 lanted in drills or rows, let there be formed 

 renches three feet in length, two feet in 

 epth, and the width of a spade, leaving in- 

 jrvals or baulks, a yard in length, between 

 le trenches till the row is finished. Then, 

 ath good virgin soil, if it be at hand, if not 

 ;t it be procured from the woods, and fill up 

 le trenches therewith, mixing it at the 

 ime time with a due proportion of leaf 

 lould or well rotted manure, or what is still 

 etter, the leaves and husks of vines, or grape 

 seds, in order to quicken and strengthen the 

 Towth of the plants. If a vineyard be the 

 bject which we have in view, let the rows 

 r drills be trenched from five to ten feet 

 sunder, according to the surface of the 

 round and the latitude of the place. If the 

 ituation be on a plain, in a high degree of 

 ititude, the rows should be eight or ten feet 

 part ; but if it be on the side of a very steep 

 lill, or in a low degree of latitude, five feet 

 n\\ be sufticient; and on moderately inclined 

 urfaces, or in higher latitudes six or eight 

 eet apart will be all that is required. With 

 egard to the direction of the rows, and the 

 leight to which the vines should be trained, 

 hey may run in a manner that will allow 

 hem to face any point of the horizon be- 

 ween south and east; and they may be sup- 

 (orted on props, or trellises from six to ten 

 eet in height, and even more, according to 

 he vigor of the vines. But in cities, or 

 ibout houses in the country, single vines 

 nay be trained on the sides and ends of 

 luildings, along the sides of fences, or the 

 runks and branches of trees. 



The ground having been prepared in the 

 nanner before described, the cuttings are 

 lext to be planted in the centres of the 



trenches, so that each terminal bud will be 

 even with the surface, and directed towards 

 the south. Then the earth must be firmly 

 pressed round each plant, and should it sub- 

 sequently settle and leave more than one 

 bud above ground, more earth or mould must 

 be added to bury them up. As soon as the 

 season becomes hot and dry, it will be ne- 

 cessary to protect the cuttings from the 

 mid-day sun, by means of matting or other 

 materials, which should be removed towards 

 evening, and allow them to remain uncover- 

 ed until the next morning, at about the time 

 of the disappearance of the dew. Strict 

 attention must now be observed in keep- 

 ing the soil around the cuttings continually 

 moist, and should not this be effected by 

 natural means, it must be done by sprinkling 

 rain or river water over them, or what is 

 still better, soap-suds, or other stimulating 

 fluids, especially prepared for the purpose, 

 but not too strong. Soon after the cuttings 

 begin to take root, which may be known by 

 the swelling of the buds above the surface, 

 young shoots will gradually protrude, and 

 the plants will require but little attention 

 during the remainder of the season, except 

 an occasional hoeing to destroy the weeds, 

 and to loosen the soil in order to admit the 

 air and moisture, about the roots. Should 

 the season prove dry, however, and the earth 

 around the plants become parched, it will be 

 necessary to irrigate them frequently with 

 rain or river water, or with prepared liquids 

 as suggested above. Early in autumn, rub 

 oft" all the buds from each plant, except two, 

 which are to be reserved for training the 

 ensuing year. — American Agriculturist. 



For the Farmers' Cabinet. 

 Composition for Peach Trees. 



Mr. Editor, — Some time since, on visit- 

 ing Mr. Gushing of Watertown, near Brston, 

 I was struck with the vigour and freshness 

 of foliage of his peach trees — some of which 

 before the use of the following receipt, he 

 was about to cut down, thinking them good 

 for nothing, viz : 



One-third soot; one-third lime; one-third 

 sulphur — mixed with water to the consisten- 

 cy of paint — to be laid on all the tree, before 

 the buds appear. 



I am not quite sure that the same will an- 

 swer for plum and other fruit trees, but as 

 the season is at hand for using it, I propose 

 trying it. Respectfully, &.c. 



Robert Ralston. 

 Mount Peace, March 10, 1847. 



Would you avoid one great cause of ill 

 humor in your neighbor? Keep your fences 

 in good order. 



