136 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



PLAIN HINTS ON FRUIT GROWING.— I. 



APOLOGY FOR WRITING THEM. 



A S we take a glance at the operations of the farming community in 

 ^^r\ general, and estimate the amount of capital, time and attention 

 devoted to the promotion of the several lines of industry which make 

 up the life of the farmer, we are struck with the fact that a very small 

 share of effort is appropriated to the noble occupation of fruit growing, com- 

 pared to the other branches of general farming. There are a few marked 

 exceptions, it is true, and it is a great relief to the eye and attention of the 

 horticulturist, or one who loves the work to find here and there as he travels 

 through the country, a tastefully laid out fruit garden, and a neatly cared-for 

 orchard, evincing taste and judgment in arrangement, and some evidence 

 of outlay of capital and labor. 



But there is no reason why this branch of farm industry should be 

 neglected, and to serve as a stimulus to its furtherance, simple hints and 

 details, set forth in plain language, ought to be freely circulated throughout 

 the length and breadth of the land. Much is done, it is true, through the 

 medium of papers and periodicals, but every farmer cannot be induced to take 

 a paper or magazine devoted to agriculture in general, much less one devoted 

 to horticulture alone. It is to assist and encourage any who are willing 

 to be taught, that the following brief hints are put forth. They are the result 

 of much observation and some practical experience ; are written for the 

 novice in the art of fruit growing and not for the experienced horticul- 

 turist, but if any such see anything in these hints to profit by, the writer 

 has no objection. 



And now to my would-be fruit-growing reader, let me say, that the first 

 individual I wish to introduce you to, is the nomadic irrepressible nursery 

 agent. Of these, there are two general classes, viz : scamps and honest 

 men. The former will talk you into buying, if he can, every kind of every 

 variety of fruit which is beautifully represented in his canvassing book, as 

 he temptingly displays it to your admiring gaze. He will try to make you 

 believe that each variety is the best, whether it is suited to your climatic 

 locality or not. His aim is to sell, and he intends to do so at all hazards. 

 He has but little regard for your success with the stock he palms off on 

 you, his chief regard is for your signature to . his order book ; that once 

 obtained, he has got you for the amount to which that signature is appended. 

 But there are honest men engaged in selling nursery stock for reliable firms, 

 who will give you fair value for your money, by advising you what to buy 

 suited to your locality, and will give you your stock true to name. It is your 

 privilege to discriminate between these two classes of individuals, and with 

 a little care and caution, 5^ou can easily do so. The reason why I mention 



