Notwithstanding the oft reiterated assertion amongst our modern progressive cultivators that our present experience is far a-head of our forefathers, I am led to think, sometimes, when ruminating over the records of excellent quality, abundance, productiveness, and certain results of much of the direct, simple, and observant practice of former days, that we take more upon ourselves than we are justified in doing. True, the development of science has done a great deal for us, and we have accepted to a great extent the benefit of it. As a general thing we can explain more eloquently the why and wherefore of vegetable existence and intricate organism. We can analyse and show the chemical components of soil, and draw inferences therefrom which look very plausible, and in some measure assist our investigations, although they may often be found unreliable. In the aggregate, also, we, perhaps, know more, and succeed with a greater certainty; but do we not often claim too much, and, really, in the same meaning, rest our boasted superiority upon pretension, or the hasty gallop of enthusiastic zeal? Are not the truly improving, the observing, reasoning, practically demonstrative, and more positive followers in the race, tripped up and left behind in public estimation? However this may be, we have not yet arrived at a knowledge, of the best general cultivation sufficiently to make it "familiar as household words." No; rather, such are but exceptions to the rule; science, hitherto, has, in too many cases, only produced, mentally, a metaphysical effect, and has led off some of its votaries into extremes, both chemically and physiologically; the consequence of which, is much pedantic palaver without originality, and a great flourish of unproved advice.

In speaking thus I would not in the least insinuate against the sterling merit of those of our co-workers who have the common sense, and ability to advise, and practice in the right track.

If we take cultivation as it most commonly exists in the broadest sense, we. have to accept the tearing up, pulverizing, and draining of land, the admixture of certain manures when it is found to be deficient of such, the sowing or planting of different crops, keeping down and destruction of weeds, loosening and stirring the soil during growth, and harvesting the various individualities according to their kind. There may be also added, as a speciality, the pruning and training of branches in fruit trees, transplanting white in the nursery rows to obtain an abundance of fibrous roots, care of the roots during removal, and several other small details. All these practical operations were known and successfully acted upon before the Chemist, or the mere Theorist ever thought of introducing science to assist in the cultivation of the earth; and the advocacy of these helpmates has not been conducive of so much benefit as is sometimes asserted, from the fact of their being, too often, thrust upon the simply practical observant mind in a dogmatic, and to him, proofless manner. If some of our Agricultural editors would weigh this subject well, it is more than probable, they would keep out of their periodicals some of the nonsense which is often printed, and find room for more reliable advice.

Better, far better, if short of matter, to copy judiciously selected extracts, that may be depended upon, from the standard works of competent authors. But to the point.

If we would succeed to the best of our wishes, it is necessary, not only, to possess the practical routine, but include as much scientific truth as may be needful for our purpose. A small portion of the latter is sufficient to give us to understand, that the roots, leaves, branches, and trunks of a tree must, comparatively, correspond with each other in the absorption, ready conveyance, assimilation, and decomposition of the different elements, which unite into the varying and modifying compounds, and also, that there must be present, in the soil and atmosphere, all that is requisite as food, and for respiration, and further, that under contingently occurring circumstances, it becomes necessary to perform peculiar operations, supply more abundantly, or withhold, certain proportions of the general requirements. With regard to the latter of these points, practical experience teaches us, that a good friable and rich soil, in other words, a due combination of clay and sand, largely incorporated with vegetable matter and neutralized ammo-niacal salts, is one of the most permanently fertile; and that we can greatly increase the growth of most plants, if healthy, by adding an abundance of the last two in a liquid, or even solid state, during the period of activity; while injury would be done to the same while at rest.

On the other hand, science shows us when we have a subject that is over vigorous, and consequently unfruitful, the application of further stimulant would only increase the evil, that it may be possible the roots are drawing too much crude fluids from a want of proper aeration of the soil and deficient drainage; in consequence of which, the right proportions of nutriment for forming concentrated solidity, in connection with free exposure to the light, are not obtained; the result being, only an exuberance of uncentralized development devoid of the fruit producing properties. Science further informs us, that it is not the extent to which the roots may elongate, or penetrate, nor yet the extreme length or volume of the recently formed branches, that healthy longevity, or present and future fruitfulness is gained, but the so increasing the number of mouths or spongioles of the one, with plenty of proper food in the vicinity as to produce robustness without much extension of the other, and in addition maintaining a proper atmosphere for the leaves to perform their functions.

Consequently it is advisable, every two or three years, to dig a trench, some two feet deep, around each tree, distant according to size, and immediately fill in again, adding, at the same time, a portion of well rotted barn yard manure, or vegetable mould, in which is decomposed a portion of guano. This procedure will cut off the extreme ends of the roots disposed to ramble, and force them to throw out a great increase of others, which will make up for the deficiency and enable them to feed near at home, without the necessity of having to travel to a distance for, perhaps, a less amount of the right nourishment that will form fruit producing compounds. We have a proof of this reasoning in the Pear on Quince roots. The quince, unlike the pear, does not extend its roots to a great distance, naturally, but is provided with an immense number of them, so much so, that a tree may often be drawn out of the ground like a matt, plainly showing in this instance, that whatever fertilizer is used it ought to be applied in their immediate vicinity, and leading us to infer, that the earth in which it is located should be rich and deep, which will enable the growth to progress to maturity, and prevent sudden checks by drought or otherwise.

That such is the case has become a demonstrated fact, and if the same principle were to be more generally carried out, there would be little cause to complain of the want of success, providing the ground be not overstocked with other vegetable growth.

Now this example may be taken as a stand point in the culture of all fruit trees, or indeed plants of any kind, and I would again repeat, for the subject bears arguing, we can obtain better quality, more ceriain productiveness, and permanency, by increasing the number of small rootlets, and supplying enough food "near at home," than by forcing the natural adaptability of the plant to travel over a great space in search of the proper elements wherewith to sustain its own existence. It luckily happens that we have a few thorough-going men, who eschewing almost universal prejudice, have stepped out of the common course, and observed for themselves; men who have joined together the aforesaid practical experience and scientific theory, and have proved, against all opposition, that the above is the only correct principle of cultivation, and will realize the most profit. As proof of this, we have only to read over the works of such authors as Mr. Rivers of Sawbridgeworth, England, and other prominently known good men who practice what they preach, when we shall find sufficient to warrant a trial of what they have accomplished as fact.

There is no doubt but many hangers back will consider such recommendation as requiring unremitted attention, and as expensive; admitted; all things Agricultural and Horticultural do so if we desire to obtain after profit and gratification. It is man's curse, "Thou shalt cat thy bread by the sweat of thy brow," and we must no more think of escaping the injunction than Adam of old. Providing such is the case, what then? Is it not far better to be realizing, permanently, a large percentage upon invested capital, and eating the produce of our labors in greater excellence, than grunting about empty pockets, and indigestible inferiority? Good culture is always the cheapest in the finale, although it may require more outlay at the beginning, and if we can still further improve by uniting the desiderata, Practice and Theory, it becomes absolutely ridiculous to work in any other way. Depend upon it, if we are anything ahead of our forefathers it is in this particular, for I doubt very much if we are not somewhat behind them in the simply practical, at least, when we look at the many old and neglected orchards, with moss-covered trunks and branches, which were once vigorous and clean, and yielded luscious fruit, standing despondingly amid hard grass turf, the under base of which has long since had drawn out of it all the elements of nourishment, inviting us to assist them by culture and the help of manure, by which they would again repay bountifully.

And again, then see some ignoramus making holes in a similar situation about large enough to bury a cat in, thrusting therein vigorous young trees, the ends of the roots turned up at the sides for want of its being larger, and those sides hard as a baked brick, we are reminded of the truth of such a supposition. Be assured, if we are to succeed, keep our fruits from wearing out, and with their sweets in perfection, we must drain well, trench deep, plant carefully, and, If the soil is not already well supplied with the needful, add it; and, afterwards, continue this needful care, both solid, and liquid as may be necessary, and without the interference of the grass or any other crop. Let us have our fruit trees cared for as well as the gardener does a cauliflower when he wants it for exhibition, and secure concentration of the fluids in the roots and branches properly; let them be, with this, equally proportioned, and we shall not have to mourn over so many unsuccessful, recent examples, nor hear so many statements about such and such fruits being worn out, or proving a failure.