Culture of the Apple Tree on poor Soils. 25 



this practice, the certainty of having numerous strong roots, after 

 the expansion of the leaf, issuing from that part which is coiled, and 

 which will very materially assist to bring the fruit to perfection. 

 Indeed, it is an objection with me to the free adoption of Mr. 

 Mearn's coiling system, that so much of the prepared sap should 

 be excited to the production of roots, instead of its natural desti- 

 nation, the developement of the leaf and embryo bunches of 

 fruit. A few of the vines may be put into the forcing-house in 

 December, and another succession in January, at a heat of 70° 

 at night. It were well to have a good bottom-heat of tan, 

 which should be frequently stirred up, as the moisture arising 

 from this source will keep the atmosphere of the house in a due 

 state of humidity, which is so beneficial in the forcing of the 

 vine, and on this the pots may be placed ; or, as before re- 

 commended, they may be set above the water-pipes or flue, so as 

 to diffuse a general warmth through the mass of compost in the 

 pot, and to excite the roots that they may afford an abundant 

 supply of sap to the elongating of the young wood and bunches. 

 A third set of plants may remain against the wall, to give a late 

 supply in the autumn. These pots are to be placed in an upright 

 position about the middle of March, and supplied with water. 

 When the temperature of the nights in autumn is rather cool, 

 and while the foliage is yet good, they are to be removed into 

 the house, to bring the fruit to perfection. Before the buds have 

 broken, the position of the vines should be frequently changed, 

 and their shoots bent in various directions, to prevent the deter- 

 mination of the sap to two or three buds only. By attending to 

 this, the buds will all break equally, and produce from one to 

 three bunches each; but of these one only should be left to come 

 to maturity. 

 Jan. 20". 1837. 



Art. IX. Hotv to plant and prune the Apple Tree, so as to have 

 good Crops on unpropitious Soils. By R. T. 



As the planting of fruit trees seems now to engross the attention 

 of many persons, perhaps you will allow me a corner in your 

 useful work to give a little advice to some of your readers on 

 the planting of apples. There are but few people, I believe, 

 who are not pleased with a good crop of apples ; but there are 

 a great many who have been deterred from planting, on account 

 of the numerous disappointments they have formerly met with, 

 and have set it down for certain that the soil of their garden will 

 not grow apples, for they are as sure to canker as ever they 

 plant them; and they cannot afford the expense of making the 

 soil fit for them. Now, sir, I happen to live in a neighbourhood 



