The Tipton Advertiser

The Tipton Advertiser

A. S. DANIEL, EDITOR.

Thursday Morning, Jan. 5, 1865.

Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

For the Tipton Advertiser:

MESSRS. CLARK & MULFORD:—I see that our county is again visited by that "Genus Homo," an Eastern tree peddler, a class of persons that I supposed had become extinct with us. But I presume their reappearance may be caused by the return of good times, and the benevolence of those great nursery men of the East, who are particularly interested in the improvement of our country, especially when they have on hand a large stock of trees that are getting too old to transplant.

Those tree peddlers are gentlemanly fellows, and they carry with them most beautiful engravings, which they exhibit free of cost; engravings of luscious peaches, pears and apples and plums and cherries, which will make your "mouth water" to look upon, and will say all of these you may have in a few short years by purchasing of us, and that Mr. B. and Mr. C. have purchased or ordered, and it is all right.

As there are many farmers that do not read an agricultural paper, and many that have lately come from the East, and have not become acquainted with the best method of procuring fruit trees, especially apple trees. To such I would say, beware of purchasing from Eastern nursery men. I think I would not be exaggerating in saying, that more damage has been done to the West by the sale of eastern grown trees, than by the sale of all the patent nostrums or other humbug patents with which our country has been flooded. Thousands of trees have arrived in a damaged condition. Many trees were not suited to our climate or soil, thereby causing great damage, and discouraging the planting of fruit trees generally. If trees could be procured from no other source, it would be well enough to purchase from them; But there is no necessity for doing so. For we have well established nurseries all over the West, where all varieties suitable to our soil and climate can be procured, and at twenty-five per cent. less cost.

The Agent now traveling in this county, avers, that trees of the age of four years growth are better for transplanting than those of two years. I will give the opinion of A. J. Downing and Dr. Grant, both I believe, considered good authority in matters of Horticulture. Downing says: "All experienced cultivators agree that a small sized tree is preferable; we prefer plants two years old from the graft. Most gardeners abroad, when they select trees with more than usual care, take what are called maiden plants—those one year old from the graft, and there can be no doubt that, taking into account health, duration, and the ease with which such a tree can be made to grow into any form, this is truly the preferable size for removal. The small tree, transplanted with its system of roots and branches entire, suffer little or no check. The older and larger tree, losing a part of its roots requires several years to resume its former vigor."

Dr. Grant says: "Apple or pear trees should not be more than two years old when planted in place to fruit, and trees of greater age will not sooner come into good bearing condition, and cannot readily be brought to perfect form and balance of parts if suffered to remain in the nursery longer. But it may be said they never do receive in nurseries treatment proper to a greater age, for the crowded condition of the rows never permits the free and symmetric formation of the roots and branches, for a longer time."

Jan. 3, 1865.
H. G. C.