SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
215 
have been done on the quince, and is highly encouraging 
for further trial. 
Apples . — But little attention has been paid hitherto to 
the better varieties of this fruit. As long as we depend 
on propagating the well-known Northern winter and fall 
varieties, nothing but failure may be expected. Our 
Southern Nurseries are now well furnished with Southern 
seedlings of the best quality, which are believed to be 
even superior to the best Northern fruit. We are giving 
them a trial, and hope to report favorably in a year or two 
more. 
Apricots and PZw7»5.--Both these fruits are too uncertain 
and precarious for this locality. The improved varieties 
of plum, originating in more Northern latitudes are un- 
suited to our climate and do not come to perfection. They 
are more liable to the attacks of the Curculio than other 
stone fruit. The Apricot flowers so early in the season 
that it rarely escapes our late frosts. 
Grapes . — Your Committee took account of J30 acres 
in Grapes, nearly all of which they visited and examined. 
The Grape Culture has received an impetus in the last few 
years at the South from the increasing conviction that our 
soil and climate, in the high rolling lands above the falls 
of the rivers, (and more especially in the light ridges of the 
Sand Hill region) arc highly congenial to its growth. 
This conviction among us has, in a great measure, 
grown out of the success which has attended the efforts 
of two of our members, to whom we wish to award all 
praise. Dr. McDonald and Mr. DeCaradeuc, the largest 
vintners and wine makers of this immediate section, have 
extensive vineyards— the former 75, and thelatter 20 acres, 
from which they have annually, for many years past, made 
several thousand gallons, and sold at highly remunerating 
prices. 
Except these two vineyards, all the others are young — 
of one, two or three years growth. There is a deterfni- 
nation to extend this culture on the part of those who 
have commenced vineyards, and there will probably be 
many more acres added to the above in the course of the 
present year. 
The Committee, in conclusion, would repeat that they 
were highly pleased with the result of their examination, 
in the healthy and flourishing state of orchards and vine- 
yards which they visited, and in the kind hospitality and 
good cheer they received on all sides in their rides 
through the country. * 
Jas. Purvis, ) 
A. M. D. Robertson, > Committee. 
H. W. Ravenel, ) 
Aiken, S. C., May, 1859. 
TREE PEDDLERS FROM THE NORTH — CAU- 
tion ! ! ! ! 
Editor Southern Cultivator— I deem it my duty to 
inform you, and through you, the agricultural public, of 
a gross fraud which a party,of Fruit Tree Peddlers from 
the North are attempting (and I fear but too successfully) 
to practice upon our people. The whole country has 
been carefully districted off and then closely canvassed by 
these gentry, whose style of operations is something like 
this : They prepare strong glass jars or cans, filled with 
the best specimens of Northern fruit, preserved in alcohol, 
and exhibit these to the ignorant and unsuspecting, as 
samples of what may be produced here, from trees which 
they will furnish. 
These fruits (seen through such a medium) are greatly 
magnified in size, and well calculated to deceive and 
humbug people. 
Now I will lay down a few propositions which you, in 
common with all experienced Southern horticulturists, 
know to be correct ; and then if our people nre foolish 
enough to invest their money in worthless stuff, let them 
suffer the consequences : 
1st. None of the leading varieties of Northern fall or 
winter Apples are worth planting anywhere South of 
Virginia. Our seasons are so long and warm that they 
ripen prematurely in July or August, and tall off the tree, 
rotten and worthless. 
2d. The only late keeping Apples of any value what- 
ever for the South, are Southern Seedlings, raised here. 
Of these, our Southern Nurserymen have now at least 50 
varieties — that cannot be obtained from the North, and 
the best ot which are superior to any grown there. I in- 
clude in this list, the Mangum (or Carter), the Shockley, 
Equinetely, Stephenson, Oconee Greening, Ralph, Nicka- 
jack. Green Crank, Limbertwig, and many oihers — all 
of Southern origin, and better, in every respect, than the 
Newtown Pippins, Spys, Swaars and Spitzenbergs of the 
North. A few of the early Northern Apples do very well 
here; but, in procuring these, always get trees grown in 
the South. 
3rd. Our Southern Seedling Peaches, in their , seoson, 
are also better adapted to our climate and superior in 
other respects to the Northern and European varieties. 
This is the proper climate of the Peach, and our trees 
are far more vigorous and healthy than those of the North. 
Therefore, do not purchase any Peach trees from the 
North. If you want the Northern varieties, get those tliat 
have been grafted or budded on Southern stocks. 
4th. The same caution will hold good in regard to all 
other varieties of fruit trees, such as Pear, Plum, Apricot, 
Nectarine, Quince, &c., «fcc. And in planting a vine- 
yard, get Southern grown Grape cuttings and roots when- 
ever it is possible. 
5th. Do not be fooled out of your money by fancy- 
colored pictures of Currants, Gooseberries, &c. These 
fruits are not adapted to our climate — they have been tried 
a thousand times, and always failed. We have a better 
Currant than any cultivated at the North, viz : the Ame- 
lanchier, or “Currant Tree,” [Amelanchier Canadensis, or 
Botryapiurn] sometimes called “Shad Flower” or “May 
Cherry.” This delicious fruit can be raised on any soil 
and bears profusely. It may be propagated readily from 
suckers, and I hope our Southern Nurserymen will, here- 
after, keep a larger stock of plants on hand. 
6th Southern Nurserymen are now fully prepared 
to supply all desirable varieties of Fruit and Ornamental 
Trees, Vines, Roses, tf-c. — grown with especial reference 
to our own climate ; and the Southerner who sends or 
gives his orders to Northern Nurseries or the peddlers 
(while he is, perhaps, politically advocating disunion and 
non-intercourse!) can hardly be considered a consistent 
man or a true patriot. 
7th. The cause of Southern Horticulture and Pomology 
has been sadly dimaged by our failures with Northern 
fruits ; so much so that many of our people are afraid to 
plant trees at all; not knowing the difference between those 
which are and which are not adapted to our climate. 
This retarding of the natural progress of our country in 
fruit culture has already cost us thousands if not millions 
of dollars, and still we are sending our money to the 
North for trash not worth half the cost of freight ! Was 
there ever such “moon-struck” folly and inconsistency 1 
8th. To succeed in growing Fruit in the South, get 
from Southern Nurseries, trees of Southern varieties, 
which are known by experience to suit our climate, and 
let the intinerating venders of Northern trees plant their 
“scions” in “free soil.” What say you, Mr. Editor I 
Malic Acid. 
Home Place, Ga., June, 1859. 
Reply. — We say that our correspondent is altogether 
ricrH. Thpre is neither any sppsp nr ripceesify in send- 
