60 ' DIRECTIONS FOR CULTURE, &c. 
ee ee aS ee eee 
trate. Cold, compact clay, and wet soils do not suit, and in such the growth is feeble and 
the trees short lived. 
The Peach succeeds best in a rich light sandy loam, but will conform itself to almost 
any soil that is friable and kept ina cultivated state. The crops of fruit will be always in 
ratio to the attention given to culture and to the appropriate manurings, which should on 
no account be neglected. 
The Nectarine, Apricot, and Almond, require a precisely similar soil and culture as 
prescribed for the Peach. The Nectarine is equally hardy, and the two latter nearly as 
much so. 
The Plum adapts itself readily to almost any soil and situation, and will flourish any 
where except in a clay, marshy, or very sandy location. A rich friable soil is however to 
be preferred, and where not so, it should be made so by culture. 
The Cherries which comprise the cultivated varieties claim a two fold parentage, and 
there is a difference in habit connected therewith. Those of the Heart and Bigarreau 
classes have perpendicular roots and require a deep soil, whereas the Duke and Morello 
classes have horizontal roots and require a soil of but moderate depth. With this dis- 
tinction both divisions readily accommodate themselves to a variety of soils, and will suc- 
ceed any where but ina clay, avery arid, or very wet location. That which is preferable, 
however, above all others is a light, rich, sandy loam. 
The Quince flourishes most in a moist soil that is rich and friable, but readily accom- 
modates itself to any upland soil that is not dry and sandy, but it is requisite to be con- 
stantly cultivated to insure a thrifty growth and large fruit. 
The Grape requires a deep friable soil, and an exposure in accordance to the class to 
which it belongs, the foreign varieties alone requiring a particularly warm location. No 
Fruit wil] admit of such plentiful manurings as this, provided it be properly applied, the pro- 
duce of fruit will be thereby immensely increased, and those who say the development pro- 
duced is in wood without fruit are ina state of ignorance. Decomposed vegetable or ani- 
mal manures, and above all the blood of cattle from the butcher’s stall, plentifully and fre- 
quently mingled with the earth at a short distance from the main stalk of the vine, will 
cause a degree of vigor and productiveness that will astonish all who have not witnessed 
their effects.—In regard to pruning, the American yarieties simply require such thinning 
out during the winter, as is necessary to prevent the branches injuring each other by con- 
tact, and the removal of such weak spurs as are immature and imperfect ; but no fear 
should be indulged that the vine if in a good soil, is not capable of maturing its fruit on 
any extent of branches it may naturally produce, as among the most productive vines 
found inCarolina; there are many instances where a single vine covers anacre. Summer 
pruning is only called for in locations where the vines are confined in too narrow limits 
and then but very partially, as any considerable pruning will cause the fruit to turn black 
and fall off, and even cutting off the leaves will prevent the maturity of the fruit as they 
are the conductors of the essential nutriment from the atmosphere to the fruit and to the 
whole plant. The foreign varieties being natives of a much milder climate require con- 
sigerable pruning, and but a moderate proportion of the vigorous shoots should be allow- 
ed to remain, it heing necessary in this case to substitute skill and artificial culture in 
order to remedy the inappropriateness of climate.—The most delicate foreign varieties do 
not succeed in this latitude except under glass, but in that way they ripen well and are 
‘{exceedingly productive. 
The Gooseberry, Raspberry, and Currant, require a rich, friable soil, which should 
be well cultivated and manured. The Gooseberry will grow vigorously and produce very 
fine fruit if planted at the north side of a paling or open fence and abvuut 2 feet distant 
from it, or if planted beneath the partial shelter of a peach or a plum orchard, as the full 
rays of the sun burn the fruit and arrest its growth. Raspberries also require the shelter 
afforded by a hedge or fence, from the too powerful rays of the sun. 
Strawberries flourish most in a rich friable loam that retains moisture. A sandy soil 
may cause earlier maturity, but the crop will be deficient. They should be planted in 
April or September. The bed should be about four feet wide and the plants placed about 
10 or 12 inehes apart each way therein, and it is much the best course in our climate to 
let them run together, as they then afford shelter to each other from the too powerful rays 
of the sun. New beds should be formed and the old ones broken up every second year. 
Note. For ample directions in regard to every department of Horticulture, reference 
can be made to the Treatises named at the commencement of this Catalogue, and to the 
forthcoming General Treatise on the subject which we shall soon publish. 
A manual containing ample directions for the selection of soils and for the culture of 
the various Trees, &c., will be sent to every purchaser. 
