The fruit grower's instructor

Front matter

I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 1

9 B

i UNITED STATES OF AMERICA- &

Preface

It is necessary to prefix a Preface to a work of this nature, to give the reader such information as may be useful during its perusal ; to explain and point out the nature and arrangements of its principal parts ; likewise to duly prepare him for what the work contains, which is of great advantage both to the author and himself.

It often happens in works of this sort, as well as in many others, that quotations are made from other authors, in order to sanction and gloss over their own productions, sometimes of

IV PREFACE.

praise, sometimes of ridicule, just as it may suit the passage or parts alluded to : but by cautioning my readers against inexperienced authors, I do not intend throughout this publication to call any one name in particular in question, as. perhaps, much which has been written has been to the best of the writer's judgment. But when a person is about to become a fruit grower, (particularly on an extensive scale.) he ought to be cautious how he follows the advice of inexperienced or theoretical persons : for I have read many works professing to treat on horticultural and gardening subjects, which are more calculated to amuse than enlighten. There is a difference between rules of treatment by which certain effects can be insured, and hereditary customs, (if I may use the term) by which advantages may accident ally follow: yet the sticklers, nay almost worshippers, of these latter, will not hesitate to attack the experienced man, because, in one instance out of a hundred, he

PREFACE. V

has happened to succeed contrary to the advice of the former.

But the treatment of fruit trees altogether requires long practice and close application ; and I intend in this small treatise to explain so clearly the necessary treatment of fruit trees^ that every one who is able to read it may understand. I might fill three volumes twice the size, and not convey more practical information to the reader than will be found in this small book ; and those who follow its instructions need not fear success, as I do not intend to speak of anything which I have not fully proved. This work will be confined to that profitable and beautiful part of horticulture, the most leading fruits cultivated in this country ; among which I shall treat largely on apples, they being of all fruits the most profitable and useful, and I may add the most beautiful, for the bloom in spring is extremely handsome, and the fruit when ripe the same. Indeed it may be denominated with vi

PREFACE.

strict propriety, a truly British fruit, being the most staple commodity of the kind grown in England ; and unlike any other, may be obtained in perfection during any month throughout the year.

It is impossible to write a book that will apply, to every particular case, and as this is not intended as an introduction to Botany, or a Gardener's Dictionary, I think it would be wrong to confuse the reader with more than is stated in the title page. I am certain there is great room for improvement in England, were the soils and situations properly studied, after the following treatise. I should not speak so confidently, were it not from a long series of practice ; for when I say there are thousands, and tens of thousands of apple and other trees, in different parts of England, which have been grafted and managed by my own hands till they have been sent to their respective places of destination, together with the opportunity of fruit-

PREFACE.

vii ing and improving all the best sorts now in cultivation — the confidence in attempting this work will not be surprising.

In addition to the treatise on fruits, budding, and the various modes of grafting trees, with interesting observations thereon, I have given a list of all the leading fruits now in cultivation, both alphabetical and explanatory, which will be found very useful to those who are unacquainted with them.

The work is divided into chapters and paragraphs, each paragraph beginning and ending with the subject it relates to, without being confused with extraneous matter ; and as the index refers to paragraphs as well as pages, any subject may be found with the greatest facility.

I now feel the greatest gratification in knowing that the first edition of this work has had the most beneficial results, by causing a vast quantity of fruit trees (particularly apples) to be be planted in various parts of the kingdom ;

Vlll PREFACE.

and what is still more satisfactory, the finest sorts have taken the place of those of inferior quality, which the markets of the metropolis and most other large towns now bear ample testimony.

Introduction To Part Il

Amongst the diversified branches of utility pointed out for our pursuits, both in practice and, theory, there is none that can class with gardening ; it must stand foremost in estimation, and ever be acknowledged the basis of the glory of every country ; England, then, which is not second to any other nation in the world, whose navy rides triumphant on the ocean, is more indebted to arboricultural gardening than any other country ; it is to our timbers we are mainly indebted for the comforts we enjoy in this highly favoured isle.

X INTRODUCTION.

The nobleman and the peasant can rest secure in the mansion or the cot, and in peace partake of luxuries which Providence has so bountifully, through skilful hands, supplied for our use, and without such security we could not expect long to see our highly-favoured fertile soil studded in all directions with seats of more or less consequence, the gardens in many instances forming the most interestingpart, and from which the principal vegetable luxuries of life are produced.

Apart from the luxuries thereof, the importance of agriculture, which has been long duly appreciated, the scientific principles thereof, may be likewise traced to have sprung from gardening : and w r hen blended together, w r e may trace not only all the blessings we possess, and comforts we enjoy, but also health, riches, and prosperity ; nay more, not only has agriculture a right to claim gardening for its foundation, but every art, trade and profession, indeed every

Introduction

XI individual article of life, may be traced to the same source.

With a view to avoid confusion, which often occurs by subjects of this nature, following in one continued narrative, I have also arranged the second part in chapters and paragraphs, so that the reader may refer with ease to any subject he may have immediate cause to consult. The paragraphs, it will be perceived, are for the most part concise, at the same time giving ample instructions on each subject under separate heads.

, The chapters, as a whole, w r ill contain a sufficiently elaborate account of the principal fruits for forcing, in which their general management will be so explained as to render the contents not only of use to the practical man as a reference for his general guide, but will also, by the clearness of the rules laid down, be found of such service to young practitioners in gardening, and even to the amateur, that by perseverance and application they may attain the height of xii INTRODUCTION.

their profession as fruit-growers in the forcing departments, from the pine down to the strawberry.

The forcing and management of grapes, and such other tree fruits which are best suited to the forcing house, is clearly explained, with some useful remarks relative to the stocks which peaches, nectarines, &c, should be budded upon, when they are intended for forcing, which I would impress on the minds of such of my readers who would wish to excel in the profession, not to pass over too lightly.

As this is intended as a general guide to the forcing fruit-grower, not any one thing of importance has been omitted, in order to render the work as intelligible and useful as possible, not neglecting or rejecting the ancient for the modern, nor the modern for the ancient.

While I am writing from an extensive practical knowledge on these subject, let me avail myself of this opportunity to confess that since the first publication of the Fruit Grower's In-

INTRODUCTION.

xiii structor, which was my first essay on these matters, that I am under great obligations to many eminent authors, and more particularly to those friends in the horticultural world who have furnished me privately with invaluable information on very many important subjects relative to gardening ; at the same time, should I differ from any of my gardening friends, I trust they will not consider it done wilfully to offend, or discourage, but having had such vast opportunities to put anything connected with the subject to the test, I think I should act wrong to flatter any one by stating as authentic in this work anything which has been merely experimental, and which cannot be supported by tried practice, and knowledge derived from a fundamental source.

My having for some years past been engaged in suggesting alterations, and improvements iij different parts of the country, it has brought me into contact with men of the first abilities as regards gardening pursuits, and has led me to a field for great observation, which greatly xiv INTRODUCTION.

stimulated me to write these sheets ; although nothing but a long and great former practice, attended with great application on my own part, could have given me confidence to attempt a work of this nature, and through which means I am enabled to form a contrast between ancient and modern improvements, and to recommend such portions of each that may lead to beneficial results and ultimate success.

INDEX,

Page

Par.

On the Propagation of Apples

Quartering Stocks

Grafting .....

Tying Grafts

Management of Grafts ....

Snagging of Grafts

Pruning and Management while in the Nursery.

Observations before the general cultivation of Apples

Cultivation of Dwarf Apples

Directions for planting in bad soils .

Cultivation of Standard Apples

Pruning of Standard Apples

Pruning of Trained Apples, with Observations .

T4

Budding of Apples ....

Untying Buds .....

Heading down Stocks which are Budded

Tying and Suckering of Buds

Observations before the Explanatory List of Sorts xvi

Index

EXPLANATORY LIST OF

Ribston Pippin .

Court of Wyck Pippin Scarlet Nonpareil Old Nonpareil .

Downton Pippin Sykehouse Apple Yellow Ingestry Pippin Hick's Fancy Old Golden Pippin Franklin's Golden Pippin Early Oslin Apple Scarlet Pearmain Royal Pearrnain Margaret Apple Duchess of Oldenburgh Golden Reinet Xing of the Pippins Wellington Apple Kerry Pippin Wheeler's Russet Powell's Russet Devonshire Whitesour Margell Cristy's Pippin Beauty of Kent .

Emperor Alexander Keswick Codlin Luccomb's Seedling Northern Greening Scarlet Admirable Royal Russet

Page Par.

SORTS.

. 42 21

. 42 22

. 43 23

. 43 24

. 43 25

. 43 26

. 44 27

. 44 28

. 44 29

. 45 30

. 45 31

. 45 32

. 45 33

. 46 34

. 46 35

. 46 36

. 46 37

. 46 38

. 47 39

. 47 40

. 47 41

. 47 42

. . 47 43

. 48 44

. 48 45

. 48 46

. 48 47

^ . 49 48

. 49 49

. 49 50

. 49 51

INDEX.

XVII

Cockagee

Shepherd's Newington Striped Holland Pippin Dutch Codlin .

Kentish Codlin Norfolk Storing Norfolk Beefin Lemon Pippin Loan's Pearmain Hawthorne Dean Hertfordshire Pearmain Kirke's Lord Nelson French Crab Nonsuch Norfolk Paradise Woodstock Pippin Mank's Codlin Pile's Russet Braddick's Nonpareil Observations

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF APPLES NOW GENERALLY

CULTIVATED . 56 72

Cider Apples . . . 59. 73

Apples recommended for small Gardens . 60 74

The mode of producing new kinds of Apples . 62 75

Observations on the different modes of Grafting 65 76

Chapter II. Pears

Introductory Remarks xviii

INDEX.

Explanatory List of Pears Alphabetical List of Pears

Remarks . . . .79

Explanatory List of Plums . . .79

Alphabetical List of Plums . . 84

CHERRIES.

Useful Observations . . .85

Explanatory List of Cherries . . .86

Alphabetical List of Cherries . . 88

APRICOTS.

Remarks on the Stocks for Budding, &c. . 89

Explanatory List of Apricots . . .90

Alphabetical List of Apricots . . .92

PEACHES.

Remarks . . . . .92

Explanatory List of Peaches . .94

Alphabetical List of Peaches . . .98

NECTARINES.

Explanatory List of Nectarines . . 99

Alphabetical List of Nectarines . .101

GRAPE VINES.

Remarks . . . .102

Explanatory List of Grapes . . .102

Alphabetical List of Grapes . .108

80 81 82

83 84 85

89 90 91

92 93

94 95 96

Explanatory List of Figs Alphabetical List of Figs

Of Chesnuts Of Earberries

109 111

111 99

112 100

INDEX.

xiv

Of Quinces

Of Walnuts

Of Filberts and Nuts

Of Raspberries .

Of Strawberries

Of Currants

Of Gooseberries .

Page Par.

112 101

112 102

112 103

113 104 113 105

113 106

114 107 116 108

PART XL

CHAPTER L

ON THE CULTURE OF PINES, WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR BUILD- ING, AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF HOTHOUSES, METHODS OF HEATING, &C.

Page Par .

General description of Hothouses intended for Pines, including situations, aspects, &c. ; also

Instructions for Pits and Hotbeds

Description of Soils

Methods of raising Pine plants

At full growth, order of Fruiting, &c.

Pots, the proper Sizes . . ...

Different varieties of Pines, with Observations relative to their nature and culture

Method of making the Bark-bed, its general

Management and Utility ....

Sorts of fuel for Fire-heat . . ...

Regulation of heat, thermometer, &c.

imdex.

xxi

Page Par.

Of Bark-bed and Fire-heat . , . . 167 11

Giving Air and Water at different seasons . 169 12 Hot Water and Steam, the general uses thereof

in Forcing, with Explanatory Remarks . 170 13 Raising Pines in Hotbeds .... 178 14 Management of the Bark-bed in the Pinery .179 15 Occasional Revival of the Bark-bed . . 183 16 Winter Management of Pines . . .184 17 Spring Management of Pines . . . . 185 18 Summer Management of Pines . . . 186 19 Observations on Shifting Pines, including directions for Autumn Management . . . 190 20 Insects, remarks thereon, with Instructions how

to prevent them from being injurious . . 195 21

Early Grapes in the Pinery . . . . 200 22 Choice varieties of Fruits, Flowers, &c, in the

Pinery 202 23

Useful Remarks relative to the Chapter on Hothouse Building, &c 203 24 -

CHAPTER II.

ON FORCING PEACHES, NECTARINES, AND APRICOTS, CHERRIES, GRAPES, AND OTHER CHOICE FRUITS.

Observations relating to Peacheries, Vineries, and other Forcing Houses, with Introductory Remarks on raising different sorts of Fruits, Vegetables, and Flowers therein . . . 207 25

Description of the different plans for Forcing Houses, methods of Heating, with general Observations 210 26

Description of a general Forcing House . . 214 27 xxii

INDEX.

Page Par.

Preparing Borders for the trees, and the different Sorts proper for Forcing, including Grape Vines 216 28

Proper Seasons and Methods of Planting trees for Forcing 223 29

Narrow Glass-houses for Forcing principally by

Fire-heat, or Hot Water . . . . 228 30

Forcing Frames, for forcing Fruit trees by Bark-bed heat alone 229 31

Vinery or Hothouse, principally for Forcing Grapes ; methods of obtaining the Plants, with useful Observations . . . .231 32

How to obtain Fruit trees intended for Forcing, with a neces . ry Caution . . . . 233 33

Management of Vines, and Seasons for Forcing 234 34

Green-house, or Cold Glass house for Vines . 240 35

Peach-house, its culture and general utility for

Forcing 241 36

Forcing-house for Cherries, with its further Uses 244 37

Observations relative to the Season, and Methods

of Fore generally . . ... . 245 38

Admitting ir, with Instructions for Watering

in the different Forcing houses . . . 248 39

Pruning Fruit trees in Forcing houses, with

Instructions for Training . . . . 251 40

Blights and Insects on Trees, how to prevent

and destroy in Forcing houses . . . . 254 41

The Seasons the different varieties of Fruit generally attains maturity in Forcing-houses . 255 42

Treatment of Fruit Trees after Forcing . . 256 43

INDEX.

xxiii

Chapter III

CONTAINING DIRECTIONS FOR GROWING MELONS, WITH IN- STRUCTIONS HOW TO RAISE EARLY STRAWBERRIES J ALSO, MANY USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN FORCING- HOUSES.

Page Par.

Nature of the Melon Plant, its Culture, and

description of the Fruit .... 258 45 Different varieties of the Melon, with Observations . . 259 46

Soil proper for growing Melons . . . 261 47 Preparing dung, &c, for the Hotbeds, for raising

Melons r . 262 48

Seed proper for Sowing . . . . . 263 49 Observations on raising Melons in different ways, the times for Sowing the Seed, with re-

marks thereon 263 50

Method of Making Hotbed for raising Melon

plants, with their Management therein . , -965 51 Making the Fruiting Hotbeds for early and general crops of Melons, with their Management therein, copiously laid down . . . 268 52 Manner of Treating Melons when in bloom .275 53 Instructions for Renewing the Heat of the Hotbed by linings 276 54

Remarks relative to Melons while Ripening .278 55 Late Crops of Melons under Hand-glasses, &c. 279 56 Raising Melons in Oiled-paper Frames, with

Directions for making the Frames . . 282 57 Growing Melons by Bark-bed Heat . . . 285 58 How to save and preserve Melon Seed . .288 59

XXIV INDEX.

Page Par.

Strawberries, Introductory Remarks on growing

Different Sorts of Strawberries proper for Forcing 290 6 1 Manner of Raising, and Culture of Strawberry

Plants intended for Forcing . . .292 62

Forcing Strawberries in the Pinery . . . 294 63 Forcing Strawberries in Peach and other Fruit

Tree Forcing-houses, including Vineries . 296 64 Forcing Strawberries in Hotbeds, with Useful

Remarks 297 65

Forcing Raspberries ..... 300 66

Raising Kidney Beans in Forcing-houses . . 303 67

Growing Cucumbers in Forcing-houses . . 305 68

Early Lettuces in Forcing-houses . . . 306 69

Peas and Beans in Fruit-tree Forcing-houses . 307 70 Raising early, various useful articles for culinary

purposes in Forcing-houses .... 308 71 Observations on Forcing different varieties of

choice Flowers in Forcing-houses . . 309 72

THE

FRUIT GROWER'S INSTRUCTOR.