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0iiroIctginiI. 
SOMETHING OF PLIJMS. 
Looking over the various Horticultural 
journals in which record of the past year lias 
been made, I fail to find much, if anything, 
said relative to Plums or iheir cultivation. 
This I consider an error; and while I cannot, 
from the experience, of the past few years, 
recommend plum growing as a promising 
business for profitable returns,yet I dislike 
to see it so generally neglected as the records 
now exhibit. 
The Plum, when well-ripened, is one of 
the most delicious fruits, esteemed as a table 
dessert when in its perfect condition from 
the tree, and almost a necessity connected 
with ordinary household cooking of conserves 
and delicacies for the table. As the spring 
approaches and Lhe time of planting t rees is 
to become a season of interest to all owners 
of laud, it may not bo inappropriate to sug¬ 
gest the occupancy of some small section of 
their ground with plums. 1 have no desire 
to gainsay any man’s opinion us to their 
“ cost ing more in labor to secure a crop t han 
they are worth,” but merely remark that it 
is only by a careful supervision of the matter 
that in this age any man may feel confident 
of securing a crop, and while the plum is 
subject to the attacks of thccurculio, yet its 
destructiveness can be counteracted; and 
while in limited grounds it may be a ques¬ 
tion of pecuniary profit, I have no doubt of 
its paying full returns when carefully and at¬ 
tentively grown in large orchards. Aside 
from the attacks of the eu radio — un insect 
whose habits we know comparatively well, 
and can countercheck, if wc can. to do so— 
it is a more hardy tree than the peach, more 
certain of setting its fruit, and will always 
command a higher price per bushel. Taking 
it for granted that in this age of progress 
none but the best varieties ought to be 
planted—although when they are not in the 
market such sorts as the old Copper, Dam¬ 
son, Ac., bring than one and a half to three 
dollars a basket— 1 will name and briefly 
describe a few that, may he relied upon for 
size, beauty and quality, I could make my 
list extend to double the number here enu¬ 
merated, and continue to embrace varieties of 
the highest, excellence* but 1 do not believe 
so much in a large number of varieties as in 
a few whose qualities combined embrace the 
best and most profitable. 
I will name, as my earliest ripening good 
sort, 
The Imperial Ottoman, 
a variety supposed to come originally from 
Turkey. The tree is of a very upright 
growth—an early and abundant bearer of a 
medium-sized, roundish, dull yellow colored 
fruit, the flesh of which adheres slightly to 
the stone, but is juicy, sweet, melting, and 
ripens from the 20th to the 85th July. 
Prince’s Yellow Gaffe* 
follows the above in period of ripening, and 
is one of the most hardy and productive of 
all the varieties. It is: a little above medium 
size, oval in form, of a golden yellow, with a 
white bloom, and flesh of a deep yellow— 
rich, sugary and melting. A very profit¬ 
able sort. 
Prince Kuulcborr. 
This is comparatively a new variety, orig¬ 
inally ft’om Belgium, the tree of which is 
one of the most vigorous; an early and great 
bearer. In size it is large, oblong, oval in 
form; akin very deep purple, with a blue 
bloom; flesh juicy, sugary, separating' from 
the stone freely; and although not of the 
highest flavor, is attractive, good, and will 
prove profitable for market or in its use for 
the family. 
Green Gage. 
This is too well known to really require a 
word, and jet while its fruit is of unequalled 
excellence in quality, and when obtained 
will bring the highest price iu market, yet 
the tree is so poor a grower while young, 
that it can only be advised for planting in 
gardens, not orchards. 
llmnisimi’s Superb 
Is a tree something like the last, but more 
vigorous — a great bearer, and of quality 
hardly surpassed by the Green Gage. It 
cannot be left out of any small collection. 
Imperial Gage. 
This is a variety of the Green Gage — 
often sold for it—but the tree is very vigor¬ 
ous in growt h, and one of the most valuable 
if only one sort were to be selected. In size 
it is comparatively large, roundish, oval, 
greenish yellow, marbled or shaded with 
shades of a darker green. The flesh is rich, 
juicy, delicious, always acceptable for des¬ 
sert, and commands the highest price in 
market. 
McLaughlin. 
This is a variety originated in Maine — 
probably from seed of Green Gage, which 
in color, form and quality it resembles. Its 
size, however, is larger, and the tree a more 
vigorous grower. The trees are very hardy 
and productive. 
Jefferson. 
This has been claimed as the superior of 
all American plums, and it is barely possible 
NOVA M.A.RLA. LOUISE TEAR AND OTJ'-TLIZSTFL 
Fruit —Size medium ; form obovate, acute pyriform ; surface uneven, wavy; greenish yellow with a marbled and mottled red cheek 
iu sun; stalk medium size, curved, inserted with one or more knotty rings and slight depressions; calyx large, open, with broad 
ball reflexed segments; basin open, regular, smooth, even, rather deep; flesh yellowish white, granulated, breaking, tender, sweet, 
not juicy, pleasant, not aromatic; core large in appearance but eatable; seeds large, abundant, plump, dark, blackish brown; season 
last September. Our drawings and descriptions are from specimens grown by Ellwangek A Barry, Rochester, N. Y. 
it will Sustain such claim. Tt was raised by 
Judge Biel of Albany, N. Y., long since, 
deceased. The tree is a good grower and 
productive of fruit large in size, oval in form, 
golden-yellow color, with a purplish cheek, 
and flesh of a deep orange color, rich, juicy, 
sweet and separating freely from I ho stone. 
It is of undeniable value for table or market. 
IV ashing to n and Yellow Rarg 
are two sorts so well known that 1 suppose 
it is only requisite, to name them. The first 
is a rather compact growing tree, producing 
early and abundantly, while the latter is a 
free growing sort, making a large, spreading 
tree. Both produce abundantly a fruit, large 
and handsome, but of quality only second 
rate, or highly valued for cooking, and selling 
therefor, in market, always, at a high price. 
Ooe’ll Golden Drop. 
This is anot her old sort, of which it seems 
hardly necessary to speak, yet l will say few 
growers know its value. It isa late ripening 
sort, and is often gathered immature and 
condemned, when, if the owner had left it. 
even until a hard frost, (for it, hangs well) lie 
would have found tils gain therein. The 
tree is quite hardy and productive. 
Bevajr’s Green Cnee 
(or Heine Claude de Ucmy of the catalogues,) 
is another late maturing sort, almost a Green 
Gage in form and quality, and larger, but the 
tree entirely distinct, and the time of ripen¬ 
ing late in autumn, or about October 1st to 
10th. The tree is quite vigorous, upright, 
and an early bearer. No garden or orchard 
should be without it. a. 
--- 
FRUIT FOR IOWA. 
A Western Man's Reply to Eastern In¬ 
quiries. 
We have received the following commu¬ 
nication from Z. C. Fairbanks, Appleton, 
Wis., which explains Itself: 
Farmington, Conn., Jau. 5,1809. 
Z. F. Fairbanks, Esq.: 
/Jmr sir :—In the Rural New-Yorker for 
Nov. 21st I noticed »Jotter from you in reply to 
some statements made by Mr. Fairchii.D from 
your own State, as to t he kinds of apples best 
suited Cor the Northwest, fn reading what you 
had to say on that point, I thought I saw evi¬ 
dence of sinocrij y of notion, und concluded IJiat 
I might Rifely rely on your opinion and advice 
touching fruit culture at the West. With this 
view, I have thought best to write you. making 
some inquiries -thinking that from your expe¬ 
rience mid observation of the matters inquired 
about we shall bo better able to go forward un- 
derstanditiK’ly in our enterprise. Wo are open¬ 
ing!) large farm on the prairie in the northern 
partof Iowa,some sixty miles south from the 
Minnesota lino. Wo desire to start an orchard 
the next season, and wish to sot out only such 
hinds as have been thoroughly test ed on the open 
prairies, and in a latitude of fort y-throe or for¬ 
ty-four. 
1. What kinds of apples would you recom¬ 
mend ? 
2. Is there any kind of crab apples that would 
pay to raise? 
8. What kind of pears will answer, and whether 
dwarf or standard are the best? 
•1. How old trees would you say was best to set 
out? 
5. What distance would you plant them apart 
each way ? 
0. What kind of trees best to set out for wind 
breaks; such as will grow quick ? 
7. Is there any kind of evergreen that will an¬ 
swer for protection, growing rapidly? 
8. Is there any nurseryman with whom you 
are acquainted that deals largely in apple and 
other trees that, you can recommend as reliable , 
on whom we could depend for furnishing just 
the kinds of trees wc might order? 
There may bo other points that may suggest 
themselves to your mind of importance. 
Please let me hear at your earliest conveni¬ 
ence, and much oblige yours truly, 
John Deming. 
mr. Fairbanks’ reply. 
Instead of prairie I am located in a tim¬ 
bered region, which on that account is 
claimed to be better than a prairie country 
for fruit growing. But. front a limited ac¬ 
quaintance with northern Iowa 1 have been 
led to regard the prairie soil there better 
adapted to fruit growing than most of our 
soil here, so that I regard the fruit growing 
prospects of Urn two section# of country os 
about equal. 
With us, the Duchess of Oldcnborgh, for 
hardiness, leads the apple list. The Tetol'sky 
is reported equally hardy; but with it I 
have had no acquaintance. 1 place next to 
the above two varieties, the Tainan Sweet, 
Red Astraelmu, Famcuse, St. Lawrence; and 
the Golden Russet, for its long keeping 
qualities, though not quite as barfly. The 
Perry Russet^ at one time, was hen* consid¬ 
ered very hardy ; but for the last few years 
it, lias not sustained its former reputation. 1 
would also recommend tins sell ing of a few 
of the following varieties, as some of them 
may prove equally successful with some of 
the* five varieties last named. Red Ronmnite, 
“Saxton, Utter’s Large reed, '“Pound Sweet, 
Bailey Sweet, Ben Davis, “Richfield Non¬ 
such, Sops of Wine, Mother Dominie, Fall 
Mine, Lowell, “Pomme Grise, Twenty 
Ounce, “Fall Stripe, cultivated by J. C. 
Plumb of Madison, Wis., and Maryland 
Large Red Streak and Green Beek-no-fartlur, 
as recommended by Adam Grimes of Jeffer¬ 
son, Wis,—as very hardy, and desirable as 
long keepers. I have given the above full 
list to select from, as all the desirable varie¬ 
ties for setting with us, are not generally 
grown in any one nursery or section. I have 
checked those iu the last list with a “ that 
my experience gives me the most confidence 
in; yet I think all included in it may be 
grown with profit; and no doubt there are 
other varieties that would prove equally suc¬ 
cessful. I should, however, be very wavy of 
setting other varieties, or of setting many 
trees of varieties contained in the lust list, at 
first —only enough to test them with you, 
would be advisable. For instance, the 
Twenty Ounce, which I have included in 
said list, with some, here, does well, w hile 
others claim that with them it does not do 
well. 
The Transcendent Crab, I think, will pay 
to raise. The Large Red and Large Yellow 
Siberians are said to be the best flavored for 
preserving; I can only speak of varieties se¬ 
lected from those I am acquainted with. 
For hardness, the Flemish Beauty leads 
the pears. Next to it we regard the Ananas 
d’Ete, Swan’s Orange, Oswego Beurre and 
Winter Nellis; and yet I have seen many 
trees of the above varieties winter kill, and 
the same season the Bartlett, Bell Lucretive, 
Louise Bonne, Stevens Genesee, Urbanisk, 
Lawrence, Vicar, and even others, live; yet, 
I think more general success has attended 
the former. Pear culture in this climate is 
uncertain at best, and I think should be em¬ 
barked in very cautiously. For planting, I 
would prefer the pear on its own roots, 
headed low — those known with nurserymen 
as “ half standards.” The pear is dwarfed 
by grafting it on the quince root; the quince 
is tenderer than the pear, and I regard stan¬ 
dard pear trees hardier than dwarfs. 
Could I get. apple trees of the desired va¬ 
rieties, well trained and grown iu the nurse¬ 
ries, and well taken up, I should select five- 
year old trees every time. I regard such 
trees as having acquired more constitution 
and vital strength ; and my experience has 
been that they will do better than younger 
trees. Next to them, I would select strong 
four-year old trees, and I would select strnny, 
well-trained three-year old trees , rather than 
badly trained or neglected four or five-year 
old trees. There was a time, during the war, 
when well grown five-year old apple tree 
stock was to be had; but with the present 
short supply of nursery stock, I think it not 
procurable. 
The site and exposure of the orchard plot 
would have its influence in the distance 
apart that T would set fruit trees. With a 
northeastern lace or slope, I would set them 
further apart, Ilian with any other facing. 
While engaged in the sale of fruit trees, my 
general directions were “ to set apple trees 
only t wenty feet apartbut I have seen them 
doing so well set much closer that 1 have 
been almost, tempted to recommend much 
closer planting. It must be borne in mind 
that with us fruit trees generally fail in their 
bodies first, and when set closely the tops of 
one shade the body of its neighbor. How 
ever, in close setting, I would set those vari¬ 
eties in which I bad i he greatest confidence 
in alternate rows each way, and the others l 
would set. in the intervening spaces. 
For the purpose of growing wind breaks I 
have thought that it would be advisable to 
set die locust and the basswood or lin¬ 
den, as 1 am of the mind that a fruit grower 
might advantageously pursue bee culture, in 
which case one’s wind breaks would prove 
a source of profit to him through his bees. 
I think the Fir Balsam and Norway Spruce 
would be good evergreens to set for wind 
breaks. The Balsam grows the fastest. 
It makes no difference where you procure 
your fruit t rees, so that they are of the de¬ 
sired varieties, well trained and of strong 
growth, and well taken up and well packed 
for shipment. Should you be unable to get 
of those varieties best adapted for your set¬ 
ting, then 1 should most assuredly wait until 
I could procure I hem. Better by far post¬ 
pone setting, and put your soil, by deep and 
thorough tillage, into the best possible shape 
to receive your trees. Subsoiling and under¬ 
draining may both be advisable. Much of 
your fut ure success you may find based upon 
such a thorough preparation of your orchard 
plot. Should you have any further inquiries 
to make they shall lie answered, to the best 
of my knowledge, with pleasure. 
Appleton, Wis. Z. C. Fairbanks. 
- 4 ~*~*- 
STRAWBERRIES: 
The Alpine and Huutbois Varieties. 
I have been looking over some of my old 
notes and comments made, and I find that 
they record every time the speech of men 
and women fit favor of the delicacy and 
peculiar flavor that belongs to this class of 
strawberries—a class which is acknowledged 
unprofitable for the commercial grower, but 
for those who grow only for their own table 
of unrivaled flavor and excellence. 
In my own garden I have grown the Red 
Alpine and Prolific ITautbois more than 
twenty-five years, anti have never had a 
failure; and to be left without them now 
should feel that I was either behind the age 
or the age was not cognizant of the natures 
of these varieties for family use. The latter 
I now believe the true state of the ease, but. 
am willing to be corrected— if any one con¬ 
ceives it possible. 
I do* not believe the amateur grower of 
strawberries, — whether done by himself or 
professional employed gardener, — should 
ever be guided by quantity produced, or even 
size; for these two elements almost always 
militate against the quality. Let them cul¬ 
tivate in the strawberry for their tables the 
refinement of culture they claim to exercise 
in that of literature and art, and they would 
no longer grow such varieties as as Jucunda, 
Napoleon III., etc., which are perhaps valua¬ 
ble in localities for the commercial grower, 
and tor sale, to those who have no concep¬ 
tion of value, except it be represented out¬ 
wardly to view. 
With these prefatory remarks, I proceed to 
describe two or three varieties of the class 
of Ilautbois strawberries, with a hope, 
knowing the satisfaction it will give, that 
they may be more generally grown. 
« Of the old varieties, none deserve higher 
credit or more universal cultivation than the 
Prolific Jfautlms — a variety that although 
long known by those whose attention has 
been drawn to the subject, to the masses 
is yet a comparatively new sort. The vines 
are very strong, vigorous growers, sending 
up their strong fruit-stalks nearly level with 
and generally above’the leaf foliage, and 
producing fruit in abundance, of Dill medium 
size, conical in shape, of very dark, almost 
blackish red, when ripe moderately firm- 
fleshed, juicy, sweet and of a peculiar high, 
aromatic, pineapple flavor, never to be once 
eaten but to tie again desired. 
The Royal, Ilautbofs is another and per¬ 
haps improved variety of lhe above. I have 
only known it a year or two. and never be¬ 
lieve in commending until I have had a good 
fair chance of being able to sustain my com¬ 
ments. Bo far as i have practical knowl¬ 
edge, however, this variety is desirable. The 
ft-uit is medium to large, roundish, obtuse, 
conical, with a whitish, rich, sweet flesh. 
The Triumph dr Holland Alpine is another 
sort which the amateur should not be with¬ 
out, It is an improvement on the old red 
Alpine, perhaps of no higher flavor but 
larger in size, not so deep in color, but more 
prolific of Anil. It is yet comparatively new 
to the knowledge of the public or even of 
many nurserymen ; yet it is to bo had and is 
of unquestioned value for the private gar¬ 
den, or where riel mess, delicacy and aroma, 
combined with a medium size of fruit are 
more to be desired Ilian a large showy fruit 
without any other quality to commend it. 
Addi. 
rbcrknUnrc. 
“PLANT FOREST TREES.” 
Mr. Greeley’s Article in Rural of 23d Jan. 
BY LEWIS F. ALLEN. 
A most lugubrious view this gentleman 
takes of the denuded condition of our coun¬ 
try from the loss of its forests, the ad¬ 
verse influences on our soils and climates, 
springs and water courses, the declension 
of our fruils, and various other misfor¬ 
tunes arising from cutting off our native 
growths of timber, and not supplying new 
plantations. This is one view of the subject, 
chiefly theoretical and speculative to any one 
who has given the subject some study, 
coupled with a lifetime of practical experi¬ 
ence. But, lot us see: 
According to argument number one, our 
fruit settlers found the country wooded, and 
were obliged to cut the forests away in order 
to settle it, build houses, make farms, and 
get a living for themselves and families. Of 
course, the wood and timber, beyond what 
the pioneers needed for immediate use, was 
worthless. The Indians had inhabited the 
country for centuries previous to our fore¬ 
fathers coming among them. They were 
barbarians, and could neither make use of 
the timber, nor could they cultivate the land. 
The forests were an encumbrance to the 
white man, and had to be cleared away to 
make the country habitable. Bo the timber 
they were obliged to destroy was no loss to 
them, but a gain. The cleared lands gave 
them homes in which they founded commu¬ 
nities, reared families, increased population, 
built towns and cities, established commerce 
and manufactures, schools, churches — in 
short, expanded Civilization and Christianity. 
Yet the waste places, precipitous hills, 
mountains, swamps, and sundry other un¬ 
available localities escaped the woodman’s 
ax, and even at the present day stand cloth¬ 
ed in the old time forests, or where necessity 
demanded their cutting off, are reclothed in 
the same material of later growth. 
Not to follow Mr. Greeley’s adverse 
statements through, a few of them may be 
named. He says that Burlington, Vt„ now 
a fine, growing town of many people, was 
fifty years ago a pine forest. The people 
destroyed that forest, got little for the pro¬ 
duct, and now have to pay high prices for 
their lumber obtained from elsewhere. What 
of it ? Had the pine forests remained, where 
would have been Burlington and its tlu'ifty 
population, its college, schools and wealth, 
with all its pleasant surroundings V The 
land was wanted tor better purposes than 
