The American fruit garden companion ...

Front matter

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I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

Introduction

In presenting the "Fruit Garden Companion" to the public, the writer begs leave to state, that the principal object and design of the work has been to condense in the most convenient form, as a manual, practical remarks on the culture and management of the different kinds of fruit adapted to the Middle and Northern States, for the fruit garden and orchard.

At the commencement of the work several pages have been appropriated to the phytology of plants, in order to familiarize the young cultivator with some of the leading characteristics of trees, as, the bud, flower, leaf, root, &c. In the description of this part of the culture of fruit trees, my object has been to use such terms as are the most simple and generally understood ; and hence many classical terms have been rendered into English, with a view to make horticulture familiar and easy, so far as orviii

INTRODUCTION, dinary and unobseure diction will favor that end. In most cases, where the classical name has seemed to be necessary, it has been inserted in italics. The professional botanist and naturalist will, I hope, make every allowance for a work that has no other aim than to render the culture of fruit easily accessible to the inquiring observer.

In the Nursery department, which naturally follows the phytology of trees, I have given practical directions on the propagation of fruit trees from seed, and the many methods of grafting, budding, and bringing a fruit tree into the proper size and state for the final planting into the fruit garden and orchard. In this part of the treatise, it will be seen that I have rigidly adhered to a system of raising fruit trees from seed, in preference to that too often adopted of growing young trees from suckers, which are ever the offspring of a multitude of young plants that rob the parent and impoverish the soil.

In the different modes of culture of fruit, I have described those methods, which appeared the most simple and readily to be accomplished, and such as will most surely lead to a satisfactory result. To pretend to elucidate every nice point belonging to the

INTRODUCTION • culture of fruit, in the present enlightened age of horticulture, would be undertaking a task which I must acknowledge I am utterly incapable to accomplish. But, so far as this manual has any pretensions to the culture of fruit, I have given the results of practice, in a manner and with a view to assist the inexperienced cultivator : and any errors that might have occurred in penning the articles, or any theory that may appear improper to the scientific horticulturist or pomologist, I shall at all times be happy to correct.

It would be superfluous for me in this place to enumerate the reasons, why and wherefore, for inserting the different articles in this little manual. They have all been inserted for one end, namely, to be useful to the young beginner in the culture of fruit. The different subjects treated on can be more readily comprehended by reference to the table of contents, than by a long explanation in an introduction. With these remarks I send forth my little manual to the public, with a hope, that it may in a measure prove to be, as its author intended, of some utility to the young cultivator of fruit.

EDWARD SAYERS.

Chapter II. Remarks On The Different Parts Of A Tree

Art. 1. On the Seed, -' 27

2. On the Root, 29

3. On the Leaf, - - - - 30

5. On the Flower or Blossom, - - 34

6. On the Fruit, - 36

Xll

CONTENTS.

Part Second. Management Of The Nursery

CHAPTER I.

ON LAYING OUT THE NURSERY.

Art. 1. On the Selection of the Ground, - - 38

2. On preparing and laying out the Ground, - 40

CHAPTER n.

OX THE INCREASE OR PROPAGATION OF TREES.

Art. 1, Increase bv Seed, - 41

2. Increase by Cuttings, - - - 43

3. Increase by La vers, - 44

4. Increase by Inoculation, - - 45

5. Increase by Grafting, - 47

6. Inarching, - - - . 51

CHAPTER nr.

ON THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG PLANTS.

Art. 1. Seedlings, ----- 52

2. Cuttings, - - - 54

Chapter IV. Spring Management In The Nursery

Art. 1. Heading down Young Trees, - - CO contexts. xiii

Art. 2. Drawing Trees, - - - - 61

3. On Clearing and Digging the Ground, - 62

4. On Planting out Seedlings, &c. - 63

Chapter V. Summer Management In The Nursery

Art. 1. Hoeing and Clearing the Ground, - - 64

2. Summer Pruning and supporting Young Trees, 65

Chapter VI. Fall Management Of The Nursery

Art. 1. Destroying Weeds in Autumn, - - • - 67

2. Covering and Protecting Trees, - - 68

PAET THIRD.

THE FRUIT GARDEN AND ORCHARD.

CHAPTER L

ON THE MANAGEMENT OF FRUIT TREES.

Art. 1. On the Selection of Fruit, - - 70

2. Location of the Fruit Garden or Orchard, 71

3. Preparing the Ground, ... 72

4. On Planfing Fruit Tress, - - - 72

5. On the Pruning and Formation of Fruit Trees, 77

6. On Thinning and Regulating Fruit, - - 79

CHAPTER II.

ON THE CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF BERRIES.

Art. L General Remarks,

Xiv CONTENTS.

Art. 2. On the Culture of the Strawberry, - 82

3. On the Culture of the Raspberry, - - 85

4. On the Culture of the Currant, - - 88

5. On the Culture of the Gooseberry, - 90

CHAPTER III

CULTURE OF STONE FRUIT.

Art. 1. On the Culture of the Plum, - - 92

2. On the Culture of the Cherry, - - 95

3. On the Culture of the Peach, - - 96

CHAPTER IV.

CULTURE OF FOMIFEROUS FRUITS.

Art. 1. On the Culture of the Apple, - - =98

2. On the Culture of the Pear, - - 102

3. On the Culture of the Quince, - - - ]04

4. On the General Culture of Fruit, - . 105

CHAPTER V.

CULTURE OF THE GRAPE.

Art. 1. Remarks on the Culture of the Vine, - 108

2. Soil and Location, - - 109

3. Propagation of the Grape Vine, - - 110

4. Preparing the Ground and Planting, - 111

5. Summer Pruning of the Grape, - - 112

naturalizing the foreign grape.

6. Growing the Grape from Seed, - - 116

7. Naturalizing the Grape by Cutting, and Grafting, 117

8. Diseases of the Grape, ... H9

9. Select Varieties of Native Grapes, - - 121

CHAPTER VI.

MANAGEMENT OF THE VINERY.

Art. 1. Planting and Preparing the Vinery, - 122

2. First Year's Management, - 126

CONTENTS. XV

Art. 3. Second Year's Management, - - 127

4. Forcing the Grape, - 127

5. On the Culture of the Grape in the Vinery, 133

Chapter I

Art 1. On Gathering and Picking Fruit, - 13S

2. On Planting Live Fences, - - - 141

3. On Protecting Fruit Trees, - - 144

4. On the Culture of the Tomato, - * 147

5. On the Culture of the Pie Plant, - - 149

Chapter II. Descriptive Lists Of Select Fruits

Strawberry, - -

Raspberry,

Currant,

Gooseberrv,

Plum,

Cherry, ....

Peach, -

Apple, ....

rear,

Quince, ....

Grape,

AMERICAN

FRUIT GARDEN COMPANION.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF FRUIT.

There are few branches of Horticulture, that are more deserving of a careful observation, than the culture of choice fruit ; yet there is scarce any subject connected with this science, that is less understood than this, except by a few individuals that have paid much attention, and made minute investigation into the natural properties of fruit trees — who have in many instances not only realized every expectation, but in many ways received a compensation for their labors of the most satisfactory return.

Choice fruit of almost any kind meets a pretty general demand in most of the markets in the Northern States ; nor has there been any lack in planting in most parts to meet the demand. However, a deficiency is apparent, which must be considered partly owing to mismanagement ; and unless better modes are applied and strictly attended to, the deficiency will in a few years be severely felt in many parts of the Union. In the first place, it will be seen that there is a mismanagement in the select- 2 ing of the ground and location to be planted, which by many persons is considered a subject not worth consideration ; when on the contrary on it depends the principal chance of success, — for if the soil and location are not well chosen the best efforts of culture will, in a measure be defeated, and the produce unsatisfactory ; hence in many an idea prevails, that it is impossible to bring the desired kinds of fruit into a healthy growth and bearing ; when the deficiency is wholly in placing it in an inappropriate situation. The most common error of this kind, may be seen in the apple-orchard ; and, although the J fact is apparent to any intelligent observer, no exertion is taken to counteract it by many persons who are engaged in planting orchards at the present time. The apple tree flourishes well in almost all parts of the Northern States, when planted in a sheltered situation, on the base of small hills and alluvials in w 7 ell sheltered valleys, &c. — especially if the soil is of a rich mellow loamy nature, which is often to be found in such locations. The contrary location is that of unsheltered hills of a poor, gravelly nature, where the chilly northern winds have their effect on the trees. It seldom happens that trees so located either flourish or bear good crops of fruit ; the trees, both body and branches, are, in such situations blown all on one side, the limbs stunted and the bark covered with moss, the true indication of poverty and stagnation. The fruit of the former is mostly of a fine quality, good flavor and produce : the latter small, w T ormy, and of a meagre flavor and produce. The pear thrives well on stiff clayey soils, in a well sheltered situation. The plum is more local in its nature, than either the apple or

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

pear, for it seldom thrives well and fruits in perfection but in a low, moist situation, where the soil is naturally rich or made so by adding plenty of manure to it ; in such places the plum does well in most parts of the Union. The cherry, on the contrary, will accommodate itself to almost any location, soil, or aspect in any part of the northern states, providing it is not winter killed which is sometimes the case with the tender kinds, but side hills and dry sandy bottoms are best adapted to the health and produce of the cherry.

Every fruit indeed, will be found to have a natural tendency to a peculiar soil and location, which I shall endeavor to describe under the different heads of culture, as I proceed.

A mismanagement is also often very apparent in planting trees, which in many cases is badly done, and s the result of retarding their growth when young in a manner that they never fully expand into a full growth and vigor ; and hence the cause of so many stunted trees, that are to be seen in almost every place. In many cases, fruit trees are much crippled in their early stage of growth, by allowing them to bear a quantity of fruit the first year after planting, by which their vigor and vital principle is in a certain degree exhausted, and the tree never afterwards assumes that habit it would otherwise have attained. To the above, may be added the general neglect of pruning and thinning the branches of trees, and regulating them in such a manner that the sap has a regular flow to all and every part of them, their leaves, flowers and fruit.

Under the head of culture, one very essential consideration should always be borne in mind by the

FRUIT GARDEN COMPANION.

cultivator, namely, that of planting in a proper manner, which is often little attended to or thought of : trees are often planted in a careless manner, and are merely left to chance in culture, which is the very thing that should meet the most strict attention in young trees. There are indeed but few things that require a more strict attention than a young plantation of fruit trees, which should be well worked among and manured almost every year. The reverse is often seen — young thrifty trees being planted in an uncultivated piece of ground, and perhaps neither cultivated nor manured for some years after the first introduction, when age in most cases rather decreases than increases their size and vigor. It is in the infant state that trees and plants of all kinds and denominations require the best culture and nutriment, to expand their organs, and form a good habit ; indeed, the first formation is the very essence of every other expectation that is to be realized in culture, either good or bad ; therefore, the result will be in accordance to the first management.

In closing this article, it will be proper to state, that it is intended as a text only, to what is to follow ; the principal object of the treatise being to condense each separate part, under its individual head, in order to guard against repetition as much as possible : — therefore, the reader must not suspect the use of a quantity of paper, or number of w^ords, to be the object of the author ; but a short and plain manner of coming at once at the subjects hereafter to be treated upon.

Part First. Processes Of Vegetation

CHAPTER L

REMARKS ON THE FOOD, STIMULANTS, ETC. OF PLANTS.

Art. 1. — On Earth and its use to Plants.

Earth or soil is the base on which most vegetable substances must live and receive their nutriment. It is true, tulips, hyacinths, and other succulent bulbs, have sometimes been found and are frequently brought into a state of vegetation and flowering in water alone, or at least with a very small portion of nutriment ; but such plants do not during their process of growth obtain their proper qualities, nor will they vegetate freely the succeeding year if planted in their natural soil.

£< Nearly all vegetables," says the learned Chaptal " derive their support from the earth. There are however some, the seeds of which being deposited upon trees by birds or by the winds, germinate and grow, appearing to be in the situation designed for them by nature ; such are the mistletoe, the mosses, &c. There are others that float upon the water or fasten themselves upon dry rocks, upon slates, or tiles ; of the last kinds are the fleshy plants. As the earth furnishes the greatest number of plants, and all those which are of the most importance to man, its influence upon vegetation is of the greatest consequence, and at the same time one of the most difficult of which we can treat.

" Plants are not, like animals, endowed with powers of locomotion ; but are always fixed to a limited portion of the soil. They depend on the small space which they occupy for the supply of their wants ; they can place under contribution only those portions of the surrounding air, earth, and water that come in contact with them ; it is necessary, then, that they should find immediately around them the nutritive principles requisite for their growth, and for the exercise of their functions ; it is necessary that they should be able to extend their roots, in order to draw from the soil its nourishing juices ; and to fasten themselves in the earth, so as to be secure from being dried by heat or uprooted by winds."

Art. 2. — On the Food of Plants.

The food of trees and plants is found to be, in most cases, either animal or vegetable substance in a decaying state ; and is absorbed by their roots principally in aqueous solution or water ; plants also imbibe some nutriment from the atmospheric air by the leaves, which imbibe moisture through their pores ; they also imbibe nutriment from the atmosphere of decomposed animal and vegetable matter which is carried to them by high winds, &c, from high-ways and other places adjacent to them.

FOOD AND STIMULANTS.

In speaking of food of plants of the most essential and proper nature, I have never found any that answers a better purpose than well rotted manure from the stable yard, as horse, cow, or hog manure placed in a heap for fermentation with a quantity of loam, or peat incorporated therewith ; this compost should be w T ell rotted and mixed before it is carried on the land. I am well aware that there are many kinds of stimulating manures recommended, as bone dust, horn, shavings, and other powerful stimulants, besides many kinds from minerals, as lime, plasters, and the like ; these I cannot pretend to say are not in many cases very quick and beneficial in their operation, but I am of opinion that the first recommended kinds, although more steady and moderate in their operation, are much the best. The best food for trees not in use that I am acquainted with is old woollen rags or cloth cut into small pieces and dug or ploughed into the soil about the roots of trees ; young trees are particularly benefited by this manure, as it is one of the best substances I am acquainted with to cause young trees to throw out fibres, and support them by emitting to them a gradual moisture of an oily nature : this also serves to retain moisture in dry weather and absorb it in moist. Many kinds offish are very active and forcible manures for young trees, but they are not to be recommended, as they rather force than invigorate the nature of the tree. When exhausted, trees generally linger if not well supplied in after years from such active manures ; blood, night-soil arid many other things may be recommended when incorporated with loam as manures, but they require to be used with caution in order that the vegetative principle of the tree may not be forced too much. Moderation in the food of trees and the vegetable kingdom is quite as much required as in the animal, and that kind will be found to be the best that acts the most uniform and regular for a length of time.

Art. 3. — On Moisture.

In speaking of moisture I shall confine the subject principally to that which is imbibed by the root in the natural location when the tree is growing. This is essentially requisite to be known by the planter, because different natural locations have different effects in the growth and health of fruit trees. The Strawberry and Raspberry require a moist location as do the Plum and Quince, whilst the Cherry and Apple do better in a moderate dry soil ; now it is not pretended that these fruits will not grow on the opposite locations ; for the Raspberry and Strawberry will grow on dry situations but their produce will generally be discouraging.

When moisture is too abundantly applied to trees and plants in hot weather, it often happens that their leaves are scalded when the sun acts freely on them, this is owing to their leaves being overcharged with water ; so that perspiration cannot take place speedy enough to throw off the superabundant moisture before the rays of the sun scald the leaf.

Every care should be taken by the planter to let off a superabundance of surface water from the ground that collects either from heavy rains or melting snow. When allowed to remain and saturate the soilj the roots of trees are materially injured by

FOOD AND STIMULANTS.

it ; particularly new planted trees, for the wounds of trees being very tenacious of wet, generally decay where wounds are made, and hence rot or mortification from a small part is often extended to a magnitude that is a serious injury to the tree. Moisture should in all cases be considered useful in a certain degree, but when applied too bountifully is injurious.

Art. 4. — On Drought.

The principal injury sustained from drought by the planter, is occasioned by its long continuance early in the spring of some years. In consequence of this early drought, at the period when the young fruit is swelling and requires to be nourished and invigorated, the fruit fails and drops off. This more generally happens on dry soils than moist, and hence in dry seasons we find the plum and other fruits fail in consequence of too much dry weather during the growth of the fruit.

The only methods to assist fruit trees against this is to water, or melch over their roots with long manure or other substance that retains the moisture ; this method cannot be followed to any extent with grown trees, but in young planted trees the melching or covering with anything to keep the roots moist is often of very essential service.

The Strawberry is almost the only fruit I am acquainted with that will pay for watering, and that under circumstances where water can be conveniently obtained, as from ar pump being conducted through pipes or other conveyance so as to flood the beds every day or two when in bloom and setting the fruit. This will be of essential service.

FRUIT GARDEN COMPANION.

Art. 5.— On Heat.

It is very evident that trees require a certain heat to grow and mature their fruit and wood in a proper state. In cold moist summers, especially the latter part, or the fall, fruit trees many times do not form and mature their buds and wood in a proper state. This often happens in Raspberries, the canes or wood of which are kept growing in cold moist seasons, so that they do not ripen, and the consequence is that they do not fruit well the following season. The best method to counteract or remedy this is to cut out most of the wood, leaving those canes only that are to fruit next year ; by this means the wood is more exposed to the sun and air, which acts on and ripens it better than when shaded by all the old wood and that made the present year. In cold seasons the ripening of fruit may be much assisted by thinning out part of the superfluous wood and part of the leaves, so that it is exposed to sun and air ; in this operation moderation is required, for in many cases when over done, as in thinning off too many leaves from grapes and other fruit, it is scalded by the sudden influence of the sun's powerful rays w T hich have before been excluded.

Sun heat should in every case be considered as the maturer of wood and the fruit of trees. Therefore the different parts of the tree should always be moderately exposed to it, but care must always be taken in pruning, and thinning that the change is not too sudden, which is always injurious.

As regards the ripening of different kinds of fruit,

DIFFERENT PARTS OF A TREE.

there is some difference in the influence of the sun, for we find that some kinds, as the Gooseberry, ripen best in the shade, and some in the sun ; this must be learned by the practitioner by observation of the ripening of different kinds in different locations of of heat, cold, drought, and moisture,

CHAPTER II.

REMARKS ON THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF A TREE,

Art. 1. — On the Seed,

The seed contains all the rudiments of a young plant in embryo, and commences a state of vegetation so soon as a proper heat, air, and moisture is present, when, imbedded into a congenial soil, if its vegetative properties have not been damaged or lost by any accidental causes which might have happened. It is seldom seen that seed loses its vegetative properties by cold, when a free circulation of air is present, and it is not saturated by moisture. In order to prove this fact I have exposed many kinds of seed to extreme cold, but I have never found them to be injured if in a dry state ; but on the contrary, when seed is kept in a warm moist situation its vegetative principle is often put into action before its proper season, and the consequence is, the seed is materially injured, if not totally destroyed. Many kinds of seeds covered with a hard shell, as stone fruit, keep better and vegetate more freely in the spring if they are mixed with earth

FRUIT GARDEN COMPANION.

when taken from the fruit and kept through the winter in a tub or other vessel until the sowing in the spring. This method may be adopted with the plum, cherry, and all kinds of hard shelled seeds. The kernels or seeds of apples, pears, and most pomiferous fruits may be taken from the pulp when ripe and kept in sand through the winter. In this state they will keep regularly moist and their vegetative principle in a more vigorous state, and from < decaying, although moisture is injurious to seed in a dormant state; it may be applied to such seed as is covered with a hard shell during its dormant state, as the peach stone, cherry, and the like. In this case moisture applied in a moderate manner serves to assist in the gradual decay of the coat or covering, which is the shell ; this is designed by nature to protect the kernel or seed during winter from wet and other detrimental causes injuring it before vegetation can take place ; but at the same time it is impossible that the kernel or seed can vegetate until the covering is decayed, which must be done by the action of heat and moisture to decompose the shell, previous to the seed's vegetating ; therefore the utility of preparing seeds of this kind previous to planting is at once apparent.

All kinds of seeds require a proper heat and moisture to cause them to vegetate freely ; hence tropical seeds, as the cucumber, require 60° of heat to cause them to vegetate, whilst those of the temperate zone grow freely in the moderate heat of 40° or 45°, this should be borne in mind by the cultivator, in order that seeds may be sown at the season when vegetation will take place to the best advantage.

DIFFRENT PARTS OF A TREE . 29

Art. 2. — On the Root.

The roots of trees are the principal channels by which the food is extracted from the soil and conveyed to every part of the tree. And hence it is very evident that they should be placed in a soil that contains nutriment, and of a consistence adapted to their nature which will be found to be different in different kinds. The fibrous roots being the mouths or those parts which imbibe the nutriment of the tree, it should therefore be the object of the cultivator to use every means" in cultivating the soil about tfee-tese of young trees, in a manner to encourage the growth of roots as much as possible. It is a fact I believe to be but little known, that in many cases roots of trees are much injured in cultivating around them by deep plonghings, and working with a spade ; in this working about trees the roots are often cut off, or bruised in a manner very injurious to them. In this way the bark is often bruised so that the roots are wounded for several years, and in a state of incipient decay, and hence the tree makes a tardy and weakly growth. Trees should be worked about the roots with a pronged fork or instrument, that will not cut or injure them. It will be needless here to say that the soil about trees should be well manured and worked, in order that they may knit and grow freely into the soil.

In all cases young trees should be grow T n in such a soil and situation, that the roots may extend themselves freely when young ; and here I must beg leave a little to deviate from the old proverbial phrase, u as the branches are inclined so the tree is

FRUIT GARDEN COMPANION.

formed." I think it is more proper to say, to " as the roots are encouraged or inclined, so the tree is formed." In planting young trees care should be taken that the soil put about their roots is of a free mellow nature that adheres to the fibres freely ; but not in a clammy state like paste or mortar ; which instead of giving a base for them to strike into and retain the food and nutriment, chills them into a torpid state, saturates the soil, and finally rots the tender fibres, then the larger part, and so on until the entire roots decay, and then the tree. When trees are thus going into decay their leaves turn yellow, are feeble, the wood slender and soft and affected by almost every change of weather when in a growing state.

I must here caution the young planter against the very improper manner of planting trees with any parts of their roots injured, which rarely heal, but often, mortify, mould and rot others to the great detriment of the tree.

It is better at once to cut off any decayed part cleanly, than to venture to put it into a soil and situation where the eye has not the power to see the injury the tree is sustaining from a decayed part, as that of a branch.