188 



si^iuaii^swaswQjSa 



FOR THE NEW ENGtAND FARMER. 



Mr Ff.ssenden — Although commendable ef- 

 forts have been made in several parts of the coun- 

 try, to introduce and multiply most of the choice 

 varieties of fruits, and our cities are now tolerably 

 well supplied, from the gardens and orchards in 

 their immediate vicinities, still there is a lament 

 able negligence, of this important culture, through- 

 out the union. Without going beyond the bounds 

 of our own Commonwealth, how rare is it to find 

 any fruit, other tlian the most indifferent wilding 

 apples, save in a few gardens, or estates in some 

 of the most flourisliing villages. Strawberries, 

 raspberries, cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, 

 pears, and grafted apples are so little cultivated, 

 that a large portion of the iniiabitants never even 

 taste them, during the successive seasons of their 

 maturity ; and every owner of an acre of land 

 could annually enjoy them all, with but trifling 

 labor and expense. A few rods of ground, appro- 

 priated to a nursery, would afford stocks for all the 

 kinds of fruit trees, which flourish in tiiis climate. 

 Scions or buds, of the best varieties, are easily 

 obtained, and in a few years, each house, however 

 humble, may be embowered in the shade of many 

 of the most excellent kinds of fruit trees, afford- 

 ing not only an abundant sujjply to the family 

 during summer and autumn, but during winter, 

 and until strawberries and cherries announce the 

 commencement of a new pomonal year. 



A few iiours, in the morning and evening, could 

 be devoted to a fruit garden, which, without inter- 

 fering with tlie otiier duties of the farmer, or 

 mechanic, would insure the comforts and pleasures 

 of its products to the whole family. 



Tiiere is a too general impression, that mucli 

 skill and great labor are indispensable, to manage 

 fruit trees successfully ; but the same intelligence 

 and attention, whicli insure a harvest of corn and 

 grain, are the only requisite. Those who have 

 made tho experiment will vouch for the truth of 

 this assertion ; and there are but few farmers, 

 who are willing to acknowledge, that their neigh- 

 bors are more able than themselves, or can use 

 the implements of their profession with better 

 judgment, adroitness, and success : still tliey must 

 perceive, that there are individuals, in their vicinity, 

 of neither greater capacity or means, who exhibit 

 vigorous trees and beautiful fruit. Why, then, 

 with equal talent and resources, are not such mer- 

 itorious experiments imitated ? 



There is one objection, which is very generally 

 urged for not establishing a fruit garden,— the 

 depredations wliich are committed upon tliem. To 

 prevent this, it is only necessary to make them 

 universal, and thus leaving none to intrude, — for 

 11 being either in possession of the luxuries which 

 they afford, or enabled to purchase them at a 

 moderate price, tiie temptation to plunder is remov- 

 ed. Who, but the most abandoned, robs a corn 

 or potato field ? Equally secure would be tlie fruit 

 trees, if they were rendered as conunon. 



But as to this too common vice, are we not all, 

 in some degree, accountable for its existence ? Is 

 It treated witli sufficient seriousness .' Is not the 

 pilfering of fruit thouglit much too liglitly of in 

 the community : and are not children induced to 

 view it, as a very slight, and even an excusable 

 offence, — something to be lauglied at, rather than 

 to be denounced ; and all this from tlie indifference 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



with which parents are apt to regard such trans 

 gressions. In point of criminality, where is the 

 difference, between stealing fruit, or the fence 

 which encloses it, — an apple or a plough, — cherries 

 or silver spoons, — melons, or any other article be- 

 longing to the proprietor ? If the law lias not 

 made it theft, it is an offence punishable by a 

 heavy fine. Morality is as much outraged, by 

 taking a peach, as the spade at the door ; and to 

 treat such acts, in children, as unworthy of re- 

 proof, is a dereliction of duty, which neither vir- 

 tue or religion can tolerate ; for the doing wrong 

 in the slightest manner, is most oflen the com- 

 mencement of a career of depravity, which brings 

 disgrace and ruin upon the deluded or heedless 

 offender. 



A man's ground should be considered as sacred 

 as his house ; and every article on his estate, as 

 secure against robbery, as if it were protected by 

 locks and bars. The very fact that most of the 

 property of the farmer is exposed, and without any 

 other protection than the morals of the people, 

 makes it still more imperious, that such an exalted 

 sense of honor and honesty should be incul- 

 cated, as to give not only security to the products 

 of rural industry, but a confidence beyond the 

 sanctity of the laws. Of what value are morals, 

 which are limited by the statute book, and consist 

 in doing whatever does not subject the individ-, 

 ual to the penalties of the criminal code ? But 

 placing this subject in the most favorable light, for 

 those who have been in the habit, of either 

 deeming it of such little moment as not to merit 

 grave consideration, or as a foible incident to 

 youth, and not very objectionable at any age, still 

 they are bound to change their conduct; — this, 

 politeness and common decency of manners require. 

 If they believe there is no great harm in faking, 

 there is much of rudeness in not having the civility 

 to first ask permission. If what is desired, is of 

 small value, it will most commonly be cheerfully 

 granted, and the donor is happy to have it in his 

 power, to do an act of kindness, and the receiver, 

 if not grateful, he at least has the satisfaction of 

 reflecting tliat he has acted like an honest 

 man, and a christian, and that he has observed the 

 courtesies oflife. Should, however, the owner re- 

 fuse the boon, there is still consolation ; either it 

 was of greater value than had been presumed, and 

 thus an injury has been prevented ; or he was not 

 of a generous disposition ; and then comes the 

 ejaculation, — thanLGod there are but few such 

 men I let the odium be upon him ; our hands' are 

 unstained. 



On the continent of Europe there are but few 

 fences in tlie country ; the grounds are unprotect- 

 ed even -on the highways, and although burdened 

 by grape tines and trees loaded with delicious fruit, 

 no one tliinks of taking the smallest quantity, with- 

 out tlie approbation of the proprietor. Lady Mor- 

 gan observes, in her travels, ' that property of this 

 description is held sacred, in proportion, as it lies 

 exposed. Having alighted from our carriage, to 

 pare the spring, in a rough road that wound 

 through a wilderness of fruit trees, I asked a boy 

 who was lying reading under one of these, whetlier 

 I might take an apple : he replied coolly, " they are 

 not mine." But you sometimes help yourself, I 

 dare say. He raised liis head, and looking at mc, 

 \vith an expression of humorous sarcasm, he replied, 

 ' You mean that I steal ; do you not, madam .' No, 

 madam, it is belter to ask for one, than to turn 

 thief for an apple." ' I 



Dec. 31, 1 850. 



If horticultural societies were established ii 

 each county, for no otlier purpose than to colleo 

 seeds, buds, scions and plants, for distribution 

 much could be effected in a few years toward 

 covering our naked fields with fruit trees, i 

 very small fund would be suflicient for this nur 

 pose, and when the members had obtained th' 

 best varieties, how rapidly would they be dissem 

 inated among the inhabitants of every town. Be 

 sides the benefits which would be derived fioii 

 an abundance of excellent fruit, vegetable 

 dens would naturally claim more attention, and : 

 taste for flowers and ornamental trees and shrub 

 would soon be induced, and at last universall' 

 prevail. 



With the picturesque topographical feature 

 which Massachusetts presents, nothing is want 

 ing to render its scenery as inteiestin;.', and 

 villages as beautiful, as those of any otlier coun. 

 try. In England scarcely a cottage exists, thati 

 not surrounded by fruit trees, shrubs, and flowers- 

 wliile the neat esculent compartment, — often coa 

 taining less than a rood of land, supplies miicl 

 of the food for the industrious inmates of tlm 

 modest dwelling. In Holland and Germany it ir 

 the general attention which all ranks in societ 

 bestow upon the grounds about their habitations, 

 which gives such a pleasing aspect to those count 

 tries. 



Why then should not such examples be em 

 lated in the United States, where the industriousi 

 are so independent in tlieir i-ights, and domestiii 

 circumstances ; where there are infinitely greate 

 means, within the command of the cultivators o 

 the soil ; where each is tlie lord of the domaii 

 on which he resides, and garners uj) its undivided 

 harvest, free and exempt from all exactions 



Besides the pleasure, comfort and economicaii 

 advantages, which are derivable from well man* 

 aged fruit and vegetable gardens, their sai)ativJ» 

 influence is of inestimable value, — not only a4 

 respects the fortunate families which directW 

 participate in the various products they afford( 

 but the whole comnuinity. That fruit is noi 

 merely healthy, but is even an antidote and curm 

 Cor many diseases, there is not the least doubH J' 

 We have the opinion of the ablest physicians, i8| 

 support of this position; but as very erroneoui 

 im|)ressions are still prevalent on this subject, M| 

 is believed, that the following extract will be reaol 

 with interest ; — at least by all lovers of gooM 

 fruit. 



Accept assurances of my great respect. 



H. A. S. DEARBOIiN, 



III! 



"• ,!fl 



Brinley Place, ) 

 Dec. 21), 1830. 1 



EXTRACT yo. XXXII. 

 From the Anrmles DMIorlicuIture. 

 The Ulilily of Frurtfor the Preservation of Healt 

 One of the best aliments, and the best appl 

 priated to the different ages of life, is that wlii 

 our fruits afford. They present to man a Ii{ 

 nourishment, of easy digestion, and produc< 

 :Iiyle admirably adapted to the functions of 

 iiimau body. But in the use of fruits, 

 should be taken, that they are fully ripe and 01 

 good quality. Those which a ilelicaio pall 

 does not relish, 'are not, in general, healthy ; thc_ 

 which are green, or have not obtained perfti 

 maturity, are very injurious, and oftoi; occasi^ 

 diseases, especially when the stomach is feeble 01 

 when they are eaten for a long time. It has been 

 remarked, that children and females hare a pi* 



