FRUIT CULTURE IN WISCONSIN. 
331 
unless the tree has an unusually vigorous and hardy constitu¬ 
tion, it will have a feeble struggle for a year or two, then die. 
Trees trained with low heads, have no stems to become dis¬ 
eased, or at least so short an one, that the top forms a shade 
for it, and the roots avoid in a measure the extremes of tem¬ 
perature in both. Thus shaded, the roots will escape the 
drouth, and also escape the quickening influences of late, warm 
rains which induce a fall or second growth ; for the ground 
once cooled sufficiently to check the flow of sap, the rightly 
formed top will protect the top by its shade, from being again 
brought into action. 
The low headed tree will assume an upright, pyramidal shape, 
when the same variety, trimmed some feet up from the ground, 
will take the deverging, and often very spreading and drooping 
form, much to the annoyance of the plow boy. 
Varieties. —Having satisfied yourself of the character of 
the trees in health and shape, the next requisite is varieties, 
which must be selected with much caution and experience, 
based upon actual observation in the immediate, or a similar 
situation. There is but little use in consulting the books or 
catalogues of Eastern fruit-men; what has been satisfactory 
there, often proves worthless at the West. So far as possible, 
le your varieties be those that were orginated at the North— 
the first consideration being hardiness; second, quality of 
fruit ; and third, the combining of both, so far as possible. 
Do not be anxious to get a great many varieties ; it only 
produces confusion in your own nomenclature. Better to have 
a few distinct, well-tried varieties, selected upon your own 
judgment—never, however, discarding the honest counsellings 
of those who make fruit-growing a business. 
So far as my observation and experience have gone, the fol¬ 
lowing are adapted to general cultivation : 
Summer Varieties .—Early Joe, Golden Sweet, Bed Astra- 
can, Sops of Wine. 
Autumn Varieties .—Duchess of Marlborough, Autumn 
Strawberry, St. Lawrence. 
