1871 



THE POMOLOGIST AND GARDENER. 



307 



crystalal though an approximation thereto ; so too, is 

 the growth of plants, a deficiency in quantity of 

 any of the elements necessary to the constitution 

 of any particular class or variety, results iu an im- 

 perfect production. 



There is without doubt a standard of perfection 

 in every department of nature, and while this 

 is found in the mineral kingdom in the perfect 

 crystal which is found by the exact and specific 

 union of elements, so it may be arrived at in the oth- 

 er kingdoms by a similar perfect union of elements. 

 But as plauts and animals are iu a certain sense 

 fixed, unable by their own volition to select the food 

 necessary to their perfect development, being in 

 that respect somewhat unlike the mineral kiugdom, 

 since these while yet in a fluid state in consequence 

 of molecular attraction unite in perfect specimens, 

 the only conclusion to be arrived at is, that unless 

 as the result of accident, all plants and animals in 

 the natural condition are imperfect specimens of 

 the class to which they belong. This being the 

 case then, the only rational conclusion to be arrived 

 at is, that whatever steps are taken in the direc- 

 tion of progress umst be through the assistance of 

 man. Having come to this conclusion, it then fol- 

 lows that the most successful pomologist or garden- 

 er is he who most industriously applies himself to 

 the study of the character and constituents of the 

 soil, vegetable physiology, and all of those particu- 

 lar branches relating to his spere of labors. And 

 if certain mineral elements are necessary to the 

 growth of the apple or pear tree and it is believed 

 that any are wanting to a considerable extent, then 

 all that is necessary is to furnish them aud thereby 

 reap the natural reward. All of these positions are 

 abundantly substantiated by practice in the past. 

 How many are the varieties of flowers that have 

 been taken from the condition of growing wild, 

 and by care and culture been developed to the most 

 perfect flowering specimens; so also in the case of 

 vegetables, by proper assistance in their ettbrts of 

 growth and maturity they have been changed from 

 unsightly and unpalatable specimens to those upon 

 which the greatest epicurean could feast ; so again 

 with the various fruitswhat remarkable results have 

 been accomplished in the transformation of mi ser- 

 able, sour, puckcry specimens to those of rich, 

 melting qualities, and all of tliis by a little care 

 and attention, and appication of mineral feltilizers 

 particularly adapted to each variety, aud which 

 they were anxiously but unsuccessfully searching 

 for in the soil. 



The question may very naturally be asked, what 

 is the proper cultivation of Fruits and Vegetables? 

 It is the performance of any of those operations 

 which are calculated to assist in the designs of na- 

 ture. In the amelioration of soils by means of 

 proper fertilization, drainage, &c., whereby their 



condition is better adapted to the germinatian and 

 gowth of plants ; aiso due protection from the ex- 

 cessive eflects of atmospheric causes which operate 

 injuriously ; also in a method of necessa- 

 ry and judicious pruning, and many other 

 things of somewhat less importance, but which the 

 experience and practice of the gardener or pomol- 

 ogist will readily suggest. It is by this means that 

 many of our most highly prized fruits, and also 

 vegetables, liave been obtained. Many are the cases 

 in which the wild, scraggy tree of the forest which 

 perhaps gave no fruit at all, or of but little prom- 

 ise, upon being transplanted to a more congenial 

 position, where the elements which it desired were 

 found in much greater profusion, has rewarded the 

 labor bestowed and the attention given, by furnish- 

 ing a fruit of most excellent quality and beautiful, 

 outward appearance. 



And is it not a fact that the alleged deterioration 

 of fruits in New England is in a great measure due 

 to excessive negligence, especially after the tree 

 comes to comparatively full bearing. It is about 

 as reasonable to suppose that an animal placed 

 where there is a certain amount of diflerent kinds 

 of food from which it can help itself, sliould thrivs 

 for an indefinite period of time with no further 

 food, as to suppose that an orchard will tlirive 

 when perhaps cropped with grass and no fertiliz- 

 ing food returned. There is but little doubt but 

 that if these orchards which are reputed to be fail- 

 ing, have a proportionate amount of care with 

 other crops, the cause of complaint will be remov- 

 ed. So long as there is any sustenance in the soil 

 it is perfectly natural that any tree should continue 

 itsigrowth, which may also appear to be healthy, 

 but unless those particular elements necessary to 

 the growth and perfection of fruit are contained in 

 the soil to be taken up by the roots and properly 

 elaborated for use, a barren tree must be the result, 

 however vigorous its general appearance may be. 

 This principle is frequently noticed in the general 

 cultivation of crops where a comparatively well 

 grown plant refuses to seed, when immediately on 

 one side of the piece under cultivation, and where 

 some special fertilizer is applied, an abundant 

 crop is the result. This being the case, then with 

 positive evidence to support the fact, any man who 

 would refuse to furnish the needed food which 

 would return to him a reasonable harvest, would at 

 once be considered unwise. But is not precisely this 

 state of attairs existing in many orchards at the 

 present day, and which are greatly neglected, per- 

 haps partially in consequence ot an inappreciation 

 of the real state of the case ? Now therefore if the 

 knowledge can be gained in no other way, let the 

 former experiment among his trees as he would 

 among his other crops, and having found the pana- 

 cea of all their ills, be diligent in its application, so 



