SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
3i7 
persons only as have tried them can fully appreciate 
them. 
It is only a scaffold six feet high that a person may 
easily pass under it, slightly covered on the top, while 
the sides are left open. Very open bagging will answer, 
but where canes can easily be obtain they are preferable. 
"With strong hemp twine, previously soaked in oil or tar, 
the canes are tied together, one by one, until a perfect 
blind is made. Six feet wide by twelve feet long is a con- 
venient size. Such blinds are easily made, and whenever 
not needed they can be rolled up, and stored away. They 
can be made open enough for the admission of air and 
rain, and will last for many years. 
Such a blind will also be an excellent protection for 
all half-hardy plants against cold weather, in fact they 
give more protection than most persons would suppose. 
This is particularly to be attributed to the more equal 
temperature, which they cause by excluding the sun. 
Robert Nelso.v. 
Mac&n, Ga., 1856. 
"HOO SUNG”~CHINESE ASPARAGUS. 
Editors Southern Cultivator — Enclosed please find 
a sample of “Hoo Sung” seed. It is sown here early in 
the spring very thin, or started in a hot bed and trans- 
planted about 6 inches apart on very rich soil. In wet 
seasons a succession crop may be sown all through the 
summer. It is used when small as an ordinary salad, and 
when the plants shoot up to flower the stems are cut in 
lengths, cooked in water with salt till tender; it is then 
taken out on a dish, and sweet milk and butter previously 
heated poured over. By seasoning with salt and pepper, 
(and vinegar if desirable) it will be found a very palatable 
dish — a good substitute for asparagus. 
The Cidtivalor now comes most regularly — none miss- 
ing so far ; and indeed it is the first of about a dozen 
monthlies that come to greet me on every new month. I 
am much pleased with it, and particularly so on account 
of the interest awakening in the South in relation to the 
grape and wine making. The grape is a favorable hobby 
with me. With the best wishes for the prosperity of the 
Cultivator, I remain, very truly. 
Your friend, J. B. Garber. 
Columbia, Pa , August, 1856. 
Remarks. — Many thanks for the seed. We will give 
it a trial next year. Your letter to “Broomsedge” was 
duly mailed. Can you not give us some F ruit Notes from 
the Old Keystone State I — Eds. 
FLORIDA FRUIT. 
Editors Southern Cultivator — The seven numbers 
of the Cultivator duly to hand, and I am so well 
pleased with them, could I not replace them, their weight 
n silver could not get themi 
1 should like much if the products of Florida were more 
fully noticed, viz : the Grape, Orange, Lemon, Lime, 
Pine Apple, &c., &c. The Cultivator is for the South, 
and the above are Southern fruits. I expect to remove to 
Florida in the fall, and should like all tlie information pos- 
sible, and any and all information [ can impart to you I 
will most cheerfully give. Respectfully yours, 
L. H. D, 
Hickman, July, 1856. 
Remarks — We have published much on the produc- 
tions of Florida in previous volumes of this journal; but, 
for the benefit of new subscribers, would be pleased to 
publish more. Will our friend, Col. L C. Gaines, of 
Welaka, or some other competent person, furnish us an 
article on the tropical productions of Florida I — Eds. 
ROTTING OF APPLES AND OTHER FRUITS ON 
THE TREE. 
Editors Southern Cultivator— In the May number 
“G. B ,” of Desoto county. Miss., makes a request of your 
grey beards— what will prevent the rotting of apples on 
the trees I and that before they mature. Now, my 
board is tolerable grey ; yet I would not convey the idea 
that I am old or very much experienced. With your per- 
mission, Messrs. Editors, I will give an idea, notso much in 
reply to “G. B.” as to request a discussion of the subject. 
It is a subject of vast importance, and one that hundreds of 
us feel deeply interested in. In this (Hay wood co.,Tenn.,) 
and surrounding counties it is lamentably true that apple , 
for 4 or 5 years prematurely rot and fall, and this year it is 
the case with peaches to some extent ; some varieties of 
apples, however, not so bad. Winter apples rot much 
more, indeed it is confined almost entirely to late fruit. 
Old orchards are doing little or no good, and young or- 
chards do not entirely escape. Your remarks to “G. B.” 
though short, imply a great deal, and I believe are mainly 
true, yet they are not satisfactory. Seedlings in this sec- 
tion are as liable to rotas others. Many of the Northern 
varieties are worthless here, and I am fully satisfied that 
trees planted in the South should be raised here. It is 
manifest to a careless observer that orchards in this coun- 
try are not ‘‘properly cultivated,” yet our people are wak- 
ing up on the subject of fruit culture, and I heartily wish 
the cause of the rot could be assertained, and a remedy 
applied. 
I have thought the extreme dry and wet, cold and hot, 
for 4 or 5 years past had somethiHg to do with the rot. 
The reason why old trees are much more subject to rot, I 
think is from the fact that some property of the soil neces- 
sary to making and maturing fruit, has become exhausted. 
Early in thespring, I noticed some insect (not the cater- 
pillar) had punctured and eaten the leaves, and on thoso 
trees every apple has rotted and fallen. It may be injury 
done by insects, either to the tree or fruit, that causes the 
rot. Fruit should never be permitted to decay on the 
soil beneath the trees. In every apple, pear plum and 
cherry which is prematurely cast, there exists a minute 
insect which eats its way out in time, and becomes the 
source of evil to the succeding crop. Swine turned into 
orchards in June and permitted to have access till the 
fruit is gathered, guard against insects by destroying the 
fruit that produces them. 
I am pleased to see in your valuable journal that South- 
ern men — men of ability and experience— are trying to 
enlighten us on the subject of fruit culture as well as other 
subjects. We have been looking to the “Great North” 
long enough for information. Our soil and climate re- 
quire different management. I hope they will continne to 
write — give us “line upon line, precept upon precept,” Here 
a little and there a greit deal — undl our favored country 
becomes, what 1 believe it may, one of the best fruit coun- 
tries in the world, Haywood Co., Tenn. 
GEORGIA VINE GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION. 
A few Vine Growers of Georgia having this day converv- 
'ed, v/ith others who felt interested in the subject, to wit- 
ness the growth and products of the vineyards of Whit- 
field county, owned by Dr. E. W. Green and Messrs. Ja.s. 
Green and L. E. Wilson. 
Dr. E. W. Green was called to the Chair, and Col. 
Benj. E. Green requested to act as Secretary. After 
conferring together, it was 
Resolved, That we organize a Vine Growers’ Associ- 
ation for the State of Georgia. 
Resolved, That Messrs. Hayden, Peck, Muhlenbrink, 
