40 



THE FAEM. 



THE FRUIT-GARDEN.— THE FRUITS TO 



CU1.TIVATE. 



In " The Kitchbn-Garpen" we have described the fruits appropriate 

 to it, and their modes of culture. We will here confine our attention 

 to the Fruit-Garden proper, and its appropriate fruits, which are 



Apples, Fears, Peaches, Flnms, Cherries, Apricots, Nectarines. 



Before proceeding to describe the varieties and mode of culture of the 

 particular fruits, we will speak' concisely of the different methods of pro- 

 pagation, planting, and pruning. 



HOW TO PROPAGATE FRUIT-TREES— This is effected by Seeds, Cut- 

 tings, Layers, Grafting, and Budding. 



Cuttings consist of a portion of the wood of one year's growth inserted 

 into the soil. They should be from eight to ten inches long, and all the 

 lower buds removed. The earth should be closely pressed about them, 

 and mulched, and the cutting shielded from the direct rays of the sun. 

 The gooseberry, currant, grape and quince are easily propagated by 

 cuttings. 



layers. — The annexed figure will show how layeringis accomplished. 

 If a cut be made on the under side of the branch, as shown in the engrav- 

 ing, it will facilitate the striking of roots. The center should be buried 

 about four inches in the soil. It may be done in spring, or about mid- 

 summer, and the roots transplanted the following spring. After the buds 

 of the grape-vine have' started a few inches it may be laid along the sur- 

 face and covered with soil, when each bud will take root. 



Grafting. — The following are the different forms described by J. J. 

 Thomas in the " American Fruit Culturist." 



The annexed figures repre- 

 sent the two most common 

 modes of grafting fruit-trees ; 

 figs. 15 to 18 representing 

 successive stages of tongue or 

 whip grafting, from the slop- 

 ing cut of the scion and stock, 

 to the completion of the ope- 

 ration by the covering with 

 the wax plaster. Fig. 19 

 shows a stock cut off for 

 cleft-grafting with the up- 

 right cleft separated by 

 an iron or steel wedge, 

 ready for the graft ; fig. 20, 

 cut wedge-form to fit it ; and 

 fig. 21, the graft in its place, 

 after the wedge has been 



Fig. 16. 



Fig. 16. 



Fig. 17. 



Fig. IS. 



withdrawn, the projecting angle of the stock sloped off with a knife, 

 and the whole ready for the application of the wax. 



