168 



THE POMOLOGIST AND GARDENER. 



1871 



the mean temperature of the period, a plant com- 

 mences its growth to its maturity, and multiply it 

 by the length of time, the product will be the exact 

 amount of heat it requires for it to perform its 

 functions. For instance, if we take the Concord 

 grape, which foliates at a mean temperature of 52 

 degrees, which, at Leavenworth, will be about the 

 5th of April, and it fully matures about the 15th of 

 August, being 130 days, at a mean temperature for 

 the whole period of 69 degrees, which, in round 

 numbers, will be 9,000 degrees of heat, with an aver- 

 age rain-fall and sunshine, but under excessive 

 moisture, much more heat is required as every 

 additional inch of rain requires about 40 degrees 

 more heat to dissipate the excess of moisture. 



In a country of a lower temperature, the grape 

 may mature, but it will require a longer period to 

 do so, and it will not be of as good quality. But in 

 no section will it ripen where the mean tempera- 

 ture of the maturing season falls below 65 degrees, 

 although the vine may grow and be healthy. 



It is not alone sufficient that the grape has the 

 proper amount of heat, moisture and sunshine, 

 but they must be in various proportions at the 

 different stages of growth and maturity, for the 

 saccharine principle, high quality and perfection 

 of the grape depends upon the high temperature, 

 diminished humidity and clearness of the maturing 

 season. 



In no grape region does the mean temperature 

 fall below 67 degrees from the seeding to maturity, 

 and in the best grape districts and seasons, it ranges 

 from 73 to 81 degrees. 



If the statements we have made are correct, 

 (which can be verified by experiments and observa- 

 tions), then meteorology holds a high rank in the 

 order of valuable knowledge to every fruit-grower. 



It not only shows the degree and amount of heat 

 and humidity plants require, but also the cold they 

 will endure, and the climate to which they are 

 adapted, as well as pointing out the best locations, 

 and the means of securing the best results. 



That if we wish to obviate late spring and early 

 autumn frosts, we must select high elevations in 

 close proximity to deep ravines and valleys or large 

 bodies of water. 



That if we wish to mature our fruit early and 

 receive the highest prices, we must choose warm 

 locations well drained. 



It shows that high temperature is not alone due to 

 the particular aspect, but that it increases one degree 

 for every 40 feet of perpendicular height to the alti- 

 tude of 160 feet irrespective of the level of the sea. 



That it shows that large belts of timber are no 

 particular protection to fruit-trees from cold, for 

 the highest and most exposed orchards to the north 

 are the most certain and the best for fruit. 



That every plant, tree and vine has its climatic 



conditions, beyond which it will not grow and 

 remain healthy. Some varieties are very much 

 circumscribed, while others appear to be almost 

 unbounded. 



These peculiarities of climate, locations and vari- 

 eties is what constitute horticultural meteorology, 

 to which we have in these hasty remarks given 

 you but a brief synopsis. 



If we have but impressed you with its magnitude 

 and importance, our labor will not have been in 

 vain. 



. 4 — * — • 



Deep Planting of Fruit Trees. 



A friend has given us some particulars concern- 

 ing a large apple orchard — of some 2,300 trees — ^be- 

 longing to a Mr. Scott, of LaFayette Co., Wiscon- 

 sin. Contrary to the common theory and practice, 

 he believes in and practices deep planting of fruit 

 trees. The location of his orchard is not consider- 

 ed good, nor is the soil— a compact, red clay. He 

 dug the holes for the trees two feet deep, filling in 

 partly before setting, but having the roots at least 

 15 inches below the surface. Each spring he digs 

 about each tree, throwing out the earth nearly to 

 the original roots, and trims off all fibrous roots 

 above these. In the fall the earth is put back and 

 so left through the winter— serving the purpose, he 

 claims, of mounding fruit trees near the surface. 

 The orchard is said to have done remarkably well— 

 the trees making good growth and being in fine 

 condition, entirely free from bark bursting.— We»« 

 em Farmer. 



Remakks. Mr. Scott's practice and experience 

 is precisely the same as that of ours. Out of eight 

 to ten hundred apple trees so deeply set that an or- 

 dinary spade thrust square down will not reach the 

 uppermost roots, we have yet to see the first case of 

 bark bursting or blight. We attribute the exemp- 

 tion of our trees from these diseases or whatever 

 else they may be called, solely to deep planting, and 

 nothing else. We do not know of another orchard 

 about us where the trees are set so deep, nor do we 

 know of one of older or of equal age wherein cases 

 of blight or bark bursting have not occurred. 

 « ♦ * 



Stkawberries. The Boston Cultivator of the 

 30th of May, says : " Not for many years have 

 strawberries been hacWhere at such low prices sc 

 early in the season. The berries are coming for 

 ward in large quantities from Norfolk, Va., and 

 some from Delaware, and a good quality can h( 



purchased for 35@35 cents a box." 



1 ^ * 



Fruit in California. Our exchanges from Cal 

 ifornia without exception predict an immense cro] 

 of fruit throughout the State. The vineyards ev 

 ery where are represented in fine condition, andgivi 

 promise of a fine vintage. Peaches, plums, cher 

 ries, apricots, prunes, pears, oranges, etc., are al 

 alike promising. 



