raise a purse of $100,000 as a premium to an entomologist "who would thoroughly investigate the history of this dreaded little enemy, and give to the world a simple, cheap, and efficient antidote against its ravages." One of the best articles on the subject is from the pen of L. B. Mercer, of Palmyra, Georgia, and appeared in the Southern Cultivator for May. He modestly claims to be a novice in horticultural affairs, but shows himself familiar with the subject of entomology. was in February or early in March. The Genessee Farmer led off in recommending May or June as the best season for pruning apple trees. Is it a well established fact that June is a better month than January for pruning apple trees? In this part of the State, where some of the orchards are large, and work during the growing months always crowding, it would be quite convenient if we could be allowed to perform this work in January and February. Indeed some of us take that liberty now. of If any well ascertained facts are to be known relative to the best season for pruning, a large number of your readers would I have before me an amusing letter from be gratified if permitted to understand them. one who styles himself a western wood-chop-So far as it relates to apple trees not exceedper. The author complains that he has sought which I have planted and raised to full ing four or five years old, many hundreds for all the suggestions of various writers, maturity, I have been in the habit of prunmany of whom assume to be very positive as ing them at any time throughout the whole to the efficacy of their proposed remedies; year, as my taste or caprice dictated. Nor among them he finds contradictory state- have I discovered from the effect upon the ments, some of which do not correspond with growth or the health of the tree that any one season deserved preference over any other. his own observations. In the midst of this confusion and uncertainty he appeals to the Editor for definite information. Alas! what can be done but acknowledge one's ignorance, and recommend a perseverance in the jarring or shaking process, by which means all those which are secured may at least be disposed of. Pruning and Root Pruning of Apple Trees. Mr. EDITOR-In plowing my trees I generally throw the earth toward them, so as to leave a ridge with the tree, and should the plow strike a root allow it to cut through if the team can pull it. My trees are thrifty, but whether any more or less so in consequence of cutting the roots, is a question that I should be glad to have answered by any of your correspondents who have had experience in the matter. Since pruning the branches of an apple tree is known to be an essential operation in its culture, it does not follow that a random process of a similar character upon the roots must prove beneficial. Facts only can determine this point, and I have met with none whatever upon the subject. Have you? The old Yankee time of pruning branches Had I a favorite theory on the subject to establish, or had I listened to the ingenious exposition of some man of acknowledged scihowever to suppose that my preception of ence who had adopted one, there is reason facts in the case might have been more definite and satisfactory. Are there existing and recorded facts, (not arguments nor guesses, nor reasonings from analogy,) to show that one month has a decided preference over another, during the range of January, February, March, April, May and June, especially for pruning apple trees? And if so, what months have it? Are there well ascertained facts to show friend, that midsummer or fall pruning is delete- Cultivation of Orchards. A RECENT number of the Farmer contains a report of a discussion on the subject of the cultivation of orchards, in which all the speakers agreed in opposition to the doctrine generally taught. In that discussion, two very distinct and different things-usually associated it is true, nevertheless not identical seemed to me to be confounded, namely: the peach worm. I have tried the following mere tillage of the soil of an orchard, which method for some twelve or fifteen years withis one thing, and the growing and removing from it of exhausting crops, which is quite out losing a single tree that was thus proanother. With a due reference to this dis-tected. Soon after setting the tree some time tinction probably the discrepant observations in the course of a year or two-I remove and opinions might be brought to harmonize. a little dirt from about the foot of the tree, Surely no reflecting man, at least no one acquainted with the first principles of agricultural science, will maintain that the bearing off in annual succession full crops of corn or potatos, with no corresponding return to the soil, has the effect to increase the quantity, or to improve the quality of the produce of the trees. No soil can long bear double cropping. The effect of cropping an orchard with grain must sooner or later prove detrimental to the trees and the fruit. The effect is essentially the same if the crop harvested be grass from the sward. Whatever is gained in the hay is so much lost in the fruit. In fields devoted to grazing the same injury does not accrue, for the obvious reason that a constant return is made to the soil, fully equivalent to the produce consumed (?) Orchards in meadows and cultivated fields would enjoy the same impunity were care taken to supply them with sufficient and suitable fertilizing materials. say the width of a hoe, two or three inches deep, and put from four to eight quarts of leached ashes in its place, heaping them up the body above where the earth will ever come by cultivation, and stamp them down hard against the tree. This I should think less trouble than the coffee grounds. One common "leach," used for making the soap of a family, would serve a great many trees. The prospect for fruit is very fine, and we anticipate abundant crops. Will you not visit us this summer, and help us to enjoy the products of our orchards and vineyards? Do use your energies to secure better packing of the grape-vines sent from your deal ers. The tender roots reach us by express, at heavy charges, perfectly dry and dead, for want of proper care in putting up. This is abominable, and can not be borne by customers. A loose bundle of young vines put into an old bag with a little straw, and lcosely tied, is no protection; they should always be mossed and boxed securely, and a charge made for the extra labor will be cheerfully As to the question whether orchards should be ploughed or not, without reference to the production of any other than their own legitimate crop, there certainly can be no one rule to fit all orchards, any more than there can be only one system or routine of cultivation and management for all soils. It becomes an individual question, to be answered for each case by itself, according to the nature and condition of the soil and of the trees. No general solution can safely be more ex-paid by the purchaser. plicit than the following, which I offer; that probably most orchards which have lain long in sward will be benefited by loosening the turf and turning a new surface up to the sunlight and the air; and some will thrive best when this is repeated oftenest; but the crop cultivated, if any, should be that which is least exhausting to the soil. POMOCULTOR. Wisconsin Farmer. Egeria Prevented. DR. WARDER :—In the April No. of your Review I see coffee grounds recommended as a preventative to the depredations of the KELLEY'S ISLE, April, 1853. The Fruit Prospect A. K. Is generally good throughout the Mississippi valley, so far as appears from an extended examination of exchange papers, and numerous correspondents. This is agreeable intelligence to all, but especially to pomologists, who, it is hoped, will industriously embrace the opportunity of studing fruits; the attention of State fruit commitare urged to make critical notes of fruits as tees is particularly directed to this, and all they ripen, so as to obtain data for the reports to the national body.-ED. ་་ The Vineyard. VINEYARD CALENDAR FOR JUNE. THE vigorous growth of the spring and Sprouting and Thining.-The regular and early summer months, will give us much to luxuriant breaking of the buds this season, do in the vineyard; there is a growth of vines to be checked and regulated, and also abundant crops of weeds which must be kept at bay to prevent their robbing the vine. Supposing that all the duties of the season were faithfully discharged in May; that the ground, if not earlier tended, was then turned over, burying a rich coat of green manure, and that the rampant shoots were duly nipped in, as they began to show undue proportions, we shall now enter the leafy month of June, with the prospect of full occupation before us. Tying. This operation, advised to be attended to last month, must still continue to claim the vigneron's attention. If he wishes to preserve his young shoots, rich in promise of fruit for this year, and wood for the next, let him be especially jealous of all intrusions, and provident against injuries. To this end he will frequently pass among the vines with the wisp of damp rye straw, cut into lengths of about twenty inches, and as fast as the shoots grow he will tie them up to the stakes. This opperation should be repeated every week or two; for the union of the new and old wood is so feeble at this stage of growth, that the least force will rupture the connection, and sacrifice the rich prospect. will demand unusual attention to the process here indicated. the excessive shoots should have been thinned during May, and must not be longer neglected; those which were spared at the past thinning, to provide against accidents, hail and insects, must now be removed, as great injury would accrue to the whole crop by leaving too much fruit upon the vines. All weak shoots, duplicates and those not provided with fruit buds, must be removed, or at least pinched in. Observe especially to provide wood for the next year, and so arrange your summer pruning that two good shoots shall grow out from the lower part of the bough and stock. If from any accident your low shoots are deficient, or if the stock from previous neglect have become too tall, now will be a good time to select the strongest shoot among those commonly called water sprouts, which come out from near the ground; this may be grown for forming the spur in next winter's pruning, all others should be rubbed out, though as this is generally long-jointed, it will be unfit to use as a bough for bearing wood. Pinching in-Recommended for May, must still be continued; if this process have been neglected before, or, more especially, if it has been too severely practiced, as in the latter case, the force of the vine will be often seriously injures the leaves by eating throwing out laterals to make up for the the tissues from their upper surface; they shortening. Do not however be too severe occnr in large numbers, and as they trace in your treatment of these kites; shorten irregular characters on the leaf, they are them in to one or two leaves, rather than to termed in Europe, Ecrivains (writers); they tear them out as is commonly practiced; may be shaken off into buckets of limethe growing fruit needs shade and healthy water, as recommended by Mr. Buchanan, leaves. On the canes it has been advised and thus to a great extent destroyed. to remove the laterals from the length of wood to be used next year, and to allow all beyond to grow. In this, as in other processes, it is urged by some to avoid interfering with the vines when they are in blossom, especially during wet weather. Grapes in Carolina. THE varieties in cultivation are very numerous, but it will suffice for the present to mention a few of the best; and in doing so, I shall confine my remarks to those which experience has shown to be most, adapted to our soil and climate. Cultivation-Is to be continued as far as necessary to keep the surface clean. The cultivator may be passed through the rows, The Isabella is the earliest and among the or in hand dressed vineyards a light hoeing best table grape with which I am acquainted. The clusters are large and compact-the may be done, simply to kill the weeds, using berries large and oval in form, and of a deep a sharp tool, always recollecting that a shal-purple color when fully ripe. The flavor is low culture is considered best in the summer treatment of vineyards. Thnining the grapes should be attended to. Let no one injure his crop by avariciousness, or he must necessarily suffer by such selfishness, not only in a deteriorated wine, from badly ripened grapes this year, but will inevitably injure his vines for future seasons. It is not easy to say how much fruit may safely be left; this must be decided by the judgment of the vine-dresser. The Rot. This malady may occur toward the end of the month, if there is much wet weather. Continue closely to observe its peculiarities and attendant circumstances, in order to obtain, if possible, more light upon this abstruse subject. Insects-Must be closely watched, and a war of extermination should be constantly waged against them. A large yellow beetle is supposed to injure the young shoots early in the season. He practices an injudicious shortening in; a worm is accused of the same mal-practice. During this month a small gray beetle, allied to the rose-bug, exceedingly rich and musky. It thrives well with us, and is probably a native, as it bears the name of a lady of our State, Mrs. Isabella Gibbes, whose husband first brought it into notice. The Bland's Madeira is next in season. Its clusters are not so large as those of the Isabella, and are less regular in form-the berry is large and round-it becomes pleasant to the taste as soon as it begins to change its color, and gradually improves until, assuming a deep purple color, it is of a flavor unsurpassed in its full maturity. It affects the shade more than other varieties, and if exposed to the full influence of the summer sun, will soon wilt and become insipid; but properly protected, it will retain its plumpriod. The vine grows most vigorously, and ness and fine flavor for a considerable pebears early and bountifully. It readily adapts itself to any kind of soil from a warm sandy ridge to a cold damp clay. The fruit, I beThe honor of its origin is claimed for Virlieve, is proof against the rot and mildew. ginia, and it was probably introduced among us by the earlier immigrants from that state. The Lenoir ripens a little after the Bland. The clusters are long and very compact. They are well shouldered. The berry is quite small, and nearly black when fully ripe. The flavor is very rich and sprightly, supe Shanking of Grapes. rior to that of any grape I ever tasted. The fruit, if undisturbed, will remain on the vine I HAVE a vinery on the side of an old until October, and I have seen it in full per- sand-pit, in a situation so hot that I thought fection up to the time of white frost. The all the Frontignan and Muscat grapes would vine is vigorous and hardy, but requires e ripen without fire-heat, particularly as the warm soil to bear well. There is consider- soil is everything that a vine loves-a loose able diversity of opinion as to the history of calcareous sand, in which Hamburgh vines, this grape. Downing ascribes its discovery growing in the borders in the open air, will to Mr. Lenoir, of Santee, whilst the old North make shoots twenty feet long, and even riState claims it as her own, along with the pen their fruit in hot summers, the bunches Catawba Scuppernong, and a host of others. lying on the ground. Well, in the first crop Nor am I surprised at this contention about my vines had, I found, only a few of the Fronthe honor of its production, it is of such an tignans ripen, the remainder all shanked off admirable quality. The following statement and were worthless. I thought it must be I have from a gentleman well acquainted owing to a current of water, the result of a with the circumstances of the case, and it thunder storm, which made its way on to may serve to throw additional light on the the borders toward the end of summer. I matter at issue between high contending par- was satisfied I had discovered the cause, and ties. Many years ago, when the late Col. took means to prevent any more currents of Abram Blanding was a practising lawyer; water making such mischief. The second in passing from Camden to Sumter in attend-crop came in due course, and again my Fronance on the circuit court, he observed a tignans were shanked. I imputed it to want grape-vine growing in a waste place that of ventilation, but was not quite satisfied that was known as Lanoir's old field. Upon trial, I knew the cause. When the third crop he thought it worthy of propagation. Hence made its appearance, I had air given in the name by which it is now known, and the abundance, night and day, yet again my source from which it sprung. The proba- Frontignans, Chasselas Musque, (or St. Albility of this account is further sustained by bans) Muscats, and indeed all the Muscat the fact, that Col. Blanding was just the race were shanked. I could not blame the man to observe and appreciate a thing of the border, nor want of ventilation, for the folsort. His taste for arboriculture is well lowing most cogent reasons:-A vine of the known to all who knew him; and Columbia Chasselas Musque is planted in the house, has reason to be proud and grateful that she in the back border, which border is raised ever ranked among her citizens such a lover three feet, and of course, from being under of nature; for to him is due all the honor of the glass, is perfectly dry. The grapes it the beautiful oaks and evergreens which has borne have hung close to one of the venadorn her streets. He richly merits a mon- tilators, and in common with all the grapes ument at her hands-but I am aware that of the same sort and same (Muscat) family, such notions are considered old-fashioned in the same house, they have always been now-a-days. shanked and worthless. The Hamburgh and other sorts have invariably ripened well in the same house. Frontignans and Muscats, growing in a house within twenty yards of the above, with fire-heat and abundance of air, never shank, and always ripen well. Now I deduce from all this, that lowness of temperature is the main cause of shanking, and that its cure, the borders being in decent order, is gentle fire-heat and abundance of air.-T. Rivers, Sawbridgeworth Nurseries, One of the chief merits of this fruit is the ease with which it is propagated. A cutting with four or five buds, placed in a damp spot and properly attended to, will make a bear ing vine in three years. Its after cultivation requires but little attention beyond keeping the ground loose around the roots, and an occasional dressing of manure. It should be moderately pruned every spring, before the sap rises. An arbor or trellice should be provided before the vine runs much-or if these be considered too expensive, a capital substitute may be found in a cedar, cut off near the ground, and its branches somewhat reduced. LENOIR. VINERIES.-Growing grapes under glass is becoming more general in this neighborhood. |