78 THE MAGAZINE OF HOKTICULTURE. 



Oar correspondent is not perhaps aware, that, three years 

 ago, the Cogswell was described and elegantly figin-ed in our 

 " Fruits of America," to which work we admit none but the 

 finest fruits. — Eo. 



A FEW HINTS ON FRUIT CULTURE. 



BY ANDREW GRAY, SAVANNAH, QA. 



Permit me to offer a few remarks upon the management 

 of the orchard, inasmuch as I consider it one of the most 

 important branches of horticultural art. I think there cannot 

 be too much written upon the subject. Fruit trees at the 

 present time are within the reach of every one, and it does 

 seem strange to me that even the owner of the smallest pjarcel 

 of ground should be without a small collection ; for, unlike 

 most other trees, they are both beautiful and useful, and a 

 great many kinds serve the three-fold purpose of supplying 

 food, ornament and shade. How few ornamental trees more 

 beautiful than the orange and cherry? How many objects 

 in nature more pleasing to look on than the apple and peach 

 in full blossom ? What more palatable than the melting pear, 

 or the luscious apple and peach ? But to my subject : the 

 cultivation of those delicious fruits. 



In the first place I would observe, that, to succeed in the 

 cultivation of fruit trees, the soil must be suitable for them, 

 or made so by thorough trenching, manuring, &c. Second, 

 proper sorts of fruit should be selected for the section of 

 country in which they are intended to grow ; then planted 

 with proper care, and, after planting, such cultivation be- 

 stowed on them as will keep them in a vigorous growing 

 state ; pruning, regularly and scientifically, being all impor- 

 tant. I do not intend to go over all these points elaborately, 

 as I see by your Magazine that an abler pen has discussed the 

 subject. I shall confine myself to one or two abuses which 

 seem to be very prevalent and very injurious in this country. 

 The first I shall notice, is the very common practice of plant- 



