290 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



against our severe periodical drouths, and dry, parching- atmosphere; it 

 also prevents the rains from carrying away our light surface soil, and 

 making a deposit of our fertilizers in the true delta of the Mississippi, 

 Further, and a very important consideration to the cultivation is, that this 

 mulching prevents the growth of weeds, when the plant begins to start in 

 the spring. If the mulching is too much of an obstacle for the buds to 

 force their way through, then it will be important to remove the material 

 from off the center of the plant, in order to let the buds grow free from 

 obstruction. All the runners must be cut off. Each bunch or separate 

 plant will produce a full crop of large fruit. If all the suggestions be 

 attended to as here proposed, and you plant the best known variety for 

 market, you can grow $2,000 worth on one acre. The material for mulch- 

 ing is abundant inour country', and, therefore, there can be no valid excuse 

 for neglecting what is of vital importance in consummating the object con- 

 templated. Partially decomposed wheat straw will answer the purpose, or 

 if you are in close proximity to the city, you can procure all the old spent 

 tan, and all the spent manure from the white lead manufactory. Either of 

 these kinds of mulching will be free from seeds. Our forests furnish ample 

 resources in tree leaves; therefore, as I have stated, there can bono excuse 

 for vpant of material to mulch with. If profit is the primary object, then 

 adopt my plan, as the preparation of the land will only be a small propor- 

 tion of the expense compared with the value of the product. You will 

 realize double as much, and frequently four-fold for large or small fruit. 



CURRANT, RASPBERRY, GOOSEBERRY AND BLACKBERRY. 



All other small fruit grown or indigenous to this climate, will succeed 

 equally as well as the favorite fruit of which we have been treating, pro- 

 vided the soil has been prepared as proposed for the first named fruit. The 

 currant requires a moist soil; this we can only have by deep cultivation 

 and thorough manuring, with occasional irrigation during the dry season. 

 The raspberry, gooseberry, and several varieties of the blackberry ripen in 

 succession and prolong the fruit season for months, thus not only making 

 the business immensely remunerative to the producer, but also a source of 

 infinite pleasure and happiness to the consumer. 



GRAPE. 



The grape has received the fostering care and attention of the Horticul- 

 tural Society, and must continue to share largely in its enlightened delib- 

 eration. Tlie grape as a table fruit has no superior, if equal, and can be 

 kept in great perfection through the winter. The pure juice of the grape 

 might take the place of coffee and tea on our tables much to the promotion 

 of health, and as a beverage more pleasant to drink. The use of our native 

 wines would ultimately be instrumental in promoting temperance, as the 

 people would dispense with the abominable habit of drinking strong 

 alcoholic stimulants. 



The large production of an article, if it contains any merit worthy of 

 consideration, does inaugurate consumption commensurate with the amount 

 produced, therefore no fears need be entertained of overstocking the mar- 

 kets with small fruits. Our cities and towns have increased in population 

 80 fast that we find the price of fruits enhanced beyond anything current 



