THE FRUIT OARDEN. 



Since the publication of tlie " Fruit and Fruit Trees of 

 America," by the late Mr. Downing, fruit culture has re- 

 ceived increased attention in all parts of the Union. The 

 valuable Treatises of Thomas, Cole, and Barry, soon fol- 

 lowed, and more recently that of Elliot ; each containing 

 much additional matter which, with the monthly issues of 

 the Horticulturist, Hovey's Magazine, and for a time the 

 Western Horticultural Eeview, leave little in pomologi- 

 cal literature to be desired for the jSTorthern States. But, 

 unhappily for us, many of the varieties described in these 

 works are wholly unsuited to our climate. This is espe- 

 cially true of the apple. The modes of culture and prun 

 ing there recommended, are in the main as well adapted 

 to this latitude as to any other, bearing in mind that 

 mulching is more beneficial here, that we must prune 

 much more closely in transplanting, and form the heads of 

 the trees necessarily much nearer the earth than is abso- 

 lutely required in a cooler climate. Insects too, of all 

 kinds, are more annoying, and require more vigilance to 

 keep them under. So, upon the whole, more care is re- 

 quired to keep our trees in a perfectly healthy condition. 

 Besides, fruits decay so quickly with us, that it is more 

 difficult to get them to market in good condition, or to 

 preserve them long for home use. 



On the other hand, our climate has some peculiar ad- 

 vantages. A tree well cared for, makes fully twice the 

 growth it will do as far north as New York. It will 

 come generally some years sooner into bearing. Besides, 



(300' 



