SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
249 
NORTHERN FRUIT TREES, «fcc. 
Editors Southern Cultivator— I was pleased to read 
the article of your coirespondent “Malic Acid,” in the 
July number of the Southern Cultivator, and hope that 
warning voice will be duly heeded. That “cows afar off 
have long horns,” may be true; but that Northern fruit 
trees are as well adapted to our wants as those raised in 
our own climate, I shall never believe. 
The positions of “Malic Acid” are incontrovertible! 
If you want to raise healthy trees and fine fruits, get 
Southern raised trees, and if possible, of Southern varieties. 
I am utterly astounded at the ignorance and infatuation 
of our people upon this subject ; for, notwithstanding the 
Cultivator has labored long and faithfully to instil proper 
views into the public mind on Agricultural and Horticul- 
tural subjects, there are, apparently, as many “dark cor- 
ners” as ever. 
What would our “smart” and enterprising Northern 
friends think of a Southern man who should go up into 
their country as an agent for the sale of cotton seed 1 
Clearly, they would set him down as either a knave or a 
fool — perhaps both ; and the tree peddlers who come here 
to sell us Northern winter Apples, (that ripen, rot, 
and drop off the tree in August) "belong to the first class ; 
while the humbugged buyers of those trees, (who think a 
thing must necessarily be good because it comes from afar 
off,) will be apt to find themselves in the ranks of the 
second class in a few years. 
A neighbor of mine, (who in other respects is intelli- 
gent enough,) upon reading the article in your July num- 
ber, stated to me that he had engaged about 200 
Northern trees from one of those itnerating agents ; but 
that he is now convinced that he has been deceived. He 
askes me if, under the circumstances, he is in honor 
bound to take the trees and pay for them. I answer, un- 
hesitatingly — No 1 These trees were sold under false 
pretences — they are not a fair equivalent for the money — 
they are not adapted to our wants and necessities — “in 
short” (as Mr. Micawber says) they are a humbug and a 
swindle, and every single contract should be repudiated 
on the part of our people. 
This will teach these impostors to stay at home, and in- 
duce our people to buy and plant Southern trees, keeping 
the money in our own country, and laying the foundation 
for her independence and success. 
Yours, pomologically and truly, 
H. A. L. 
Hill Side, Whitfield Co., Ga., June 24, 1859. 
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE— TEA CUE- 
ture— -Grapes— Rare Plants, &c. 
A friend, who recently visited the Agricultural Depart- 
ment of the Patent Office, writes us : 
Editors Southern Cultivator— The new propagat- 
ing Garden is operating to a charm, under the superin- 
tendence of the Hon. D. J. Browne. There are already 
growing in the green houses over 50,000 Tea plants, and 
more seeds and plants are on their way from China. 
There are, also, some 200,000 Grape Vines, either from 
cuttings or seeds, (principally of the latter) from the 
famous El Paso Grape, growing out of doors. The 
Grape seeds, sown in March, in the propagating house, 
hav3 produced vigorous plants, now over a foot in height. 
There are, also, in propagation, a great number of cut- 
tings of the seedless and Lady Finger Grape, from Egypt, 
in fine growing condition. Also, cuttings of the Seedless 
Pomegranate and Sycamore Fig, from the same country. 1 
noticed, also, the Wax Free, {Rhus succedanewni) from 
Japan; the Camphor Tree,Loquat,Lechee,Oleo Fragrans, 
&c., &G., from China. 
It is the intention of the Office to place in the hands 
of a few of your prominent Southern horticulturists, 
enough Tea plants for each to plant an acre the com- 
ing fall. About 1000 plants will stock an acre, and 
the labor of cultivation will not exceed that of a peach 
orchard of the same size. The third year about 400 lbs, 
of prepared Tea may be obtained to the acre, and this 
Tea would probably be worth from $1 to ^1-50 per 
pound. From, the third to the twelfth year, the product 
of Tea will be increased. Several ingenious men have 
expressed the opinion that there will be no difficulty ir> 
inventing machinery to perform the rolling or manipu- 
lation of the Tea leaves, even by steam power, if neces- 
sary, which would economise labor a thousand fold. 
Hence, the chief expense would be the culture and picking 
the leaves by hand from the shrubs. 
It has been very gratifying, indeed, to me to visit this 
most interesting department, and I take great pleasure in 
acknowledging the courtesy and kindness of Hon. D. J. 
Browne, the polite attention of Mr. Smith, of the Botanic 
Garden, and other gentlemen connected with the Agricul- 
tural Bureau. S. D. 
Washington, D. C., June 14, 1859. 
DISEASED AND SPOTTED PEAR TREES. 
Editors Southern Cultivator— May I ask of the Cul- 
tivator his knowledge of a pair of derelect Pear trees I to 
wit : D' Aremberg and Van Mans Le Clerc. Are these 
generally well-behaved, or are mine \xnruly exceptions 1 
They have broken out (like the Dutchman’s dog) all over 
“mit schpots” in small, exploded blisters; and are grow- 
ing neither in stature or grace ; but, “contrariwise, quite 
the perverse,” as Peter forcibly intimates. 
Is this canker, and what to do I 
Respectfully, (?) 
Reply. — The two varieties above-named are subject 
to that scaling or cracking of the bark (the latter is the 
worst) ; it is not canker, but a constitutional disease in- 
herent to the varieties, as scrofula in human constitutions, 
but not so easily subdued or mitigated. 
As to the what to do I it is easily answered : Drop 
those varieties, and take others in their place. The Van 
Mons has been given up in dispair (although a truly un- 
rivalled fruit,) by all our amateurs. It is not so in Europe 
(its native country) although very weak, also; and only 
cultivated en espalier — in this climate no mode of cultiva- 
tion or pruning will prevent the disease coming out the 
third or fourth year after grafting. The D’ Aremberg is 
not as bad, but will not last. We have some varieties of 
the same character as : — Deux Sceurs, Bonne d'Ezee ; su- 
perb fruits, but subject (though in a much lesser degree,) 
to the same cracking. 
The Cultivator earnestly recommends giving the pre- 
ference to hardy, vigorous varieties, of which ample se- 
lection can be made in the catalogue. It is more than 
time to do away with old rubbish. — Eds. 
|^“The San Francisco Herald states that the present 
stock of California vines now under cultivation will yield 
S50,000,000 of wines and brandies in twenty years from 
the present day. 
All subscriptions to the Southern Cultivator com- 
mence with the January number. 
J^^My books speak to my mind, my friends to my 
heart, heaven to my soul, and all the rest to my ears. 
