The Fruit Cultivator's Manual

CONTENTS.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE ORCHARD AND FRUIT GARDEN.

Suggestions on the choice of a situation for an orchard,

Of the best methods of preparing the various kinds of soil,

Directions for transplanting fruit trees,

A communication from a friend, showing his plan of

replanting trees, -

Hints on the arrangement of trees, with a view to ob-

tain successional crops of fruit.-Different soils

described, suited to the various kinds of fruit,

Page.

OBSERVATIONS ON INSECTS AND DISEASES TO WHICH

FRUIT TREES ARE LIABLE.

Remedies for the prevention and destruction of insects, 13

The best methods of curing diseases in fruit trees,

Composition to be used as a wash for fruit trees, at

Some of the most annoying insects and reptiles described, 16

An earnest appeal to all agriculturists and horticultu-

rists, showing the importance of encouraging the

inhabitants of cities to preserve their ashes and

soot in a dry state, for use on the land,

OBSERVATIONS ON TRAINING AND PRUNING FRUIT

TREES AND VINES.

The primary object of pruning explained,

Several methods described of pruning and training the

vine, &c.

The benefits arising from judicious pruning,

Necessary Implements for pruning, &c.

Page.

On the choice of scions, and mode of preparing the stocks, 27

Cleft Grafting, Side Grafting, and Whip Grafting ex-

plained,

Saddle Grafting, Root Grafting, and Grafting by Ap-

proach, defined, -

Directions for making Forsyth's composition,

Recipes for preparing liquids for washing the stems and

branches of trees,

Instructions for making grafting clay and composition,

ON THE CHOICE OF FRUIT TREES IN THE NURSERY.

Rules for judging the qualities of fruit trees,

Directions for the management of Stone Fruits, to pre-

vent their gumming at the roots,

A guide to the selection of distinct varieties of fruit,

APPLE. Its history, cultivation, propagation, &c.

Seventy-six of the choicest varieties of Apples described, 39

APRICOT. The best method of training, pruning, &c.

explained,

Select descriptive list of Apricots,

ALMOND. Its history, mode of culture, &c.

CHERRY. The various kinds enumerated, with direc-

tions for their cultivation,

Thirty-one of the most esteemed varieties described,

CHESTNUT. Its durability and other peculiar charac-

teristics adverted to,

CRANBERRY. Its adaptation for garden culture exem-

plified,

CURRANT. The best mode of cultivation shown,

Select descriptive list of Currants,

FIG. A fruit well calculated for cultivation in the United

1. States,

Page.

The operation of Girdling or Ringing Trees explained, 62

Seventeen of the best varieties of Figs described,
GOOSEBERRY. Description of fifty-eight of the most
celebrated varieties,

An improved method of managing the Gooseberry,

GRAPE. The pcculiar characteristics of the Grape Vine

i defined,

The different manures adapted to the vine enumerated, 75

On the various methods of propagating, grafting, &c. -

Select descriptive list of foreign and native grapes,

Doctor G. W. Chapman's and Mr. Wm. Wilson's suc-

cessful experiments on their vines,

Edward H. Bonsall's Vineyard Culture explained,

Doctor R. T. Underhill's account of his vineyard at

Croton Point,

Concluding observations on training, pruning, and cul-

tivating the vine,

MULBERRY. Some of the most useful species described,

with directions for their propagation and cultivation, 88

NECTARINE. Important hints, calculated to give this

scarce but delicious fruit the best possible chance

of success, if strictly attended to,

Select descriptive list of Nectarines,

ORANGE, LEMON, &c. The several species of this fruit

enumerated, &c.

PEACH. An elaborate review of the means best calcu-
lated to overcome the difficulties attending the cul-
tivation of this important fruit,

Sixty-one of the best varieties of Peaches described,
PEAR. A definition of the different qualities of this

fruit, with directions for its propagation and culti-
vation,
Observations on the alleged deterioration of the Pear,

Eighty-eight of the most esteemed varieties of the Pear

and other fruits,

described,

105

111

113

115

Page

PLUM. The means best adapted for the perfection of T

this fruit explained,

Fifty-three of the finest varieties of Plums described,

QUINCE. Its history, its use, and method of culture ex-

plained,

RASPBERRY. All the most celebrated species and varie-

ties enumerated,

Select descriptive list of Raspberries, -

STRAWBERRY. The valuable properties of the Straw-

berry, with directions for its cultivation,

A descriptive list of the most esteemed species and

varieties of Strawberries,

WALNUT. Its use both as a fruit and timber tree,

CALENDAR AND INDEX.

JANUARY,An essay on the importance of improving

the various species of fruit, by propagating none

but the finest specimens for seed, and by amelio-

rating the existing kinds by Cross Fertilization;

which process is explained in a clear and compre-

hensive manner,

FEBRUARY. An attempt to prepare the young gardener

for the timely performance of his work in the or-

chard and fruit garden, in a judicious manner, by

directing his attention to such business as can be

done in unfavourable weather, that he may be en-

abled to give prompt attention to other important

business before the rise of the sap, and thus prevent

much anxiety and labour,

MARCH. Directions for pruning Grape Vines, and Ap-

ple, Cherry, Pear, and Quince Trees; for culti-

yating Cranberries, Currants, Gooseberries, Rasp-

berries, &c.; for preparing the ground for the

reception of all kinds of fruit trees as soon as the

weather becomes favourable; for supporting newly

planted trees by means of stakes, &c.

APRIL Attention is directed to the pruning of fruit 0
trees, including Apricot, Almond, Fig, Mulberry,
Nectarine, Peach, Plum, &c.; also, to the cultiva-
tion and propagation of trees, shrubs, and vines, by
cuttings, layers, grafting, and other methods,
MAY. The gardener is reminded of the importance of
finishing the work that was left undone last month
without further delay; and of attending to the des
struction of insects while in a torpid state, and the
preservation of the Gooseberry and other fruits
from mildew. By cultivating Raspberries and
Strawberries as directed in April and June, such
fruits may be produced at a late season,
JUNE.-The business of this month in the fruit garden

consists of summer pruning, clearing the trees and
vines of dead leaves and insects, and of protecting
and cultivating early fruit to promote its ripening
in full perfection,

JULY.-Remedies for the protection of fruit from birds
and ants, and for preserving Grape Vines from
mildew. Judicious summer pruning, and atten-
tion to Figs, Vines, &c., recommended,
AUGUST. As insects are engendered in vast quantities