.8§7. 



another st-ason has passed and it afrain becomes my 

 pleasant privilege to address those who have sustained the xMonmouth 

 Nursery. Of necessity I shall abridge my remarks both for want of 

 space and time— for we are living in an epoch requiringr economy and I am hurry- 

 ing off to Boston to meet with the members of the American Pomological So- 

 crETY. Perhaps I cannot speak of anything of greater interest than the new varie- 

 ties of fruits that have been tested at Monmouth the present year. Of straw- 

 berries Lida and Bubach proved of great merit. I wish I could say as much of 

 Crimson Cluster, Cohanzick, Jewell and Mammoth. As I saw it on the originator's {^rounds in the Southern 

 part of the State, Gandy\s Prize certainly promises great value but the greatest of all is Monmouth itself— 

 surpassing in several ways any strawberry I have yet seen ; and deflcient in none. Golden Queen Raspberry 

 was again a complete success— the only trouble was it bore such an enormous crop that we had difficulty in 

 getting it gathered. Among Blackberries a seven days wonder has been found in the Erie. Early King 

 proves also of greatest merit as Is also Lucretia Dewberry. As yet I have not fruited the Minnewaski but I 

 am pleased with the growth of the plant. For beauty and prolific bearing nothing I have yet seen will excel 

 the Japan Plums. From a single gi aft set two years ago I gathered ten quarts at one picking and did not 

 pick half that it bore. They were literally strung on every twig like strings of onions. Spaulding Plum 

 again, as for the past twenty years, gave a large and beautiful crop of fruit. The Meech's Prolific Quince 

 should not be overlooked for it is as much of a prodigy among quinces as was Napoleon among men. 



(2) Fall Planting.— The advantages of Fall planting are manifold. Not only has the planter more 

 time at that season to prepare his ground thoroughly, and set the stock carefully, but plants put out in the 

 Autumn make a far greater growth the first season than do those planted in Spring. Of late years a drought 

 occurs almost every May, causing many of the best Plants and Trees to fail when planted by most experi- 

 enced hands, as the plants have not become established in the ground. In Spring the soil cannot be worked 

 untiUt has settled and become friable— extending well into the planting season, while the rush upon the nur- 

 series during March and April is often such as to render it practically impossible to make all shipment* 

 promptly. If planted in Autumn the storms cause the soil to become thoroughly settled and firm about the 

 roots by Spring, and advantage is obtained of the first warm rains and the impulse of early Spring growth ; 

 as all trees and plants emit young roots during every warm " spell" during winter, and as the frost leaves 

 the ground in Spring. This is especially the case with Currants, Gooseberry, Raspberry, and Blackberry 

 Plants, Cherry and Plum Trees. 



(3) How far Do I Sliip.— I am often asked if can ship plants safely to points named through- 

 out the United States. To all I wish to say, I can an*^ nip to all parts of the world with entire safety. 

 Not only do I iriake many shipments, both by mail and express, to Texas, California, and every other State 

 and Territory in the Union, but also to Canada, Europe, and even Australia. My trade in Canada is very 

 large, and is rapidly growing in France, Germany and England. 



(4) Clieap Stock.- So-called " Cheap" Trees and Plants tliat die are dear at any price. Plants 

 that are Improperly grown, improperly dug, or Improperly packed, will never prove fruitful and satisfactory. 

 Better pay a little more at the outset and get good stock, true to name, and so packed that it will reach des- 

 tination in good condition. 



(5) Grade of Trees and Plants. Those of trees are on the scale of a half inch to the foot, those 

 of the small fruits, in most instances, are on a scale of an Inch to the foot. I desire to emphazize the fact 

 that these drawings represent types of the different grades and none must expect to find all exactly like 

 them. Trees and Plants vary greatly in habits with varieties. For example, the Dukes and Morrello Cher- 

 ries are as unlike the Hearts and Bigarreau varieties in growth as are Apple and Pear Trees. The cross line 

 shows where the limbs should be cut before planting, and the dotted horizontal line indicates the proper 

 depth to be placed in the earth. 



