California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences, Volume 8, Number 18, 13 November 1857 — Purchasing Fruit Trees. [ARTICLE]

Purchasing Fruit Trees.

How few understand when selecting fruit or ornamental trees, that there are very material points to observe, to secure trees that will thrive, and do well. Every person that wishes to improve his grounds, should learn the value of his soil und all its leading features ; wet or dry, deep or shallow, heavy or light, how the exposure, whether east, west, north or south —rocky, sandy or rich loam, and hilly or level; these are very important considerations, and without these being well understood, the highest degree of success canuot be attained. Each variety almost requiring different soil, different exposure, and different treatment. Where the Peach would thrive, the Pear or Cherry might not grow ut all, and vice versa, and so with ornamental trees ; and another material point, the exposure to high winds, and to a constant burning sun.

One important consideration in regard to the beau'y of a garden is the appropriateness of the trees planted. Too often we see a great want of judgment or taste in the selection of trees—large growing trees ai d plants in a small space, and small tfees in large grounds* this is evidence of a want of knowledge upon the subject, and can always be remedied by inquiry, so as to have trees conform to the size, exposure, soil, and situation of the place where planted. I n select ing trees, care must be had to select, those that have clear, freegrowing wood, well furnished with full fibrous roots, good shaped heads and well furnished branches. Too much thought is given to the cost of the tree, rather than to the condition of the tree itself; better pay S5 for a good tree from a reliable nurseryman himself than 250e0tl to I huckster, peddler, or at auction. Isuy fresh from the nurserymau, pay full prices, get his best, am] you will not regret it.

Plant early, as early as you can in the autumn, as the roots are growing all the time. If you choose, and are not skilled in the matter of selecting, better have it to the nurseryman, or procure a reliable gardener, and be select them. We shall pursue this subject, now the season has come for preparation.

Great Auction Sale or Fhuit Tmkes.— We have as a general rule repudiated the auction sales of fruits, and for the reason that these sales have been generally made up of trees, shrubs &c, gathered in Oregon and elsewhere, and collected together by some itinerant nurseryman who could not sell his trees at home, by reason of his incorrectness, and such sales always resulted badly lor the purchaser.

Sales of regular and reliable nurserymen, who may be closing out business, or an executor's or

administrator's sale we always encourage, for they are legitimate business transactions and reliable. The garden and nursery of Mons. A. Delmai of San Jose are well known as of the best in our Stale, and it will be seen by our advertising columns that Mons. I), will offer the principal portion of his stock at auction, at San Jose, on the 7lh December next.

This opportunity is a rare one. and what is purchased will be of a kind most reliable, as Mons. I). is a skillful nurseryman.

Buy oni.v the Best Trees.—lnaccordance with what we published last week, we repeat that all our friends who wish good choice fruit trees, if they will send their orders to us, we know by jiersonnl examination where all the choicest trees can be found, and for a commission we propose to go and select trees, and see that they are carefully packed and forwarded. Our experience in growing trees will always enable us to select that kind of tree that must necessarily do well. Wo believe we can save our friends twenty-five per cent on all their purchases.

Olobioos Plow —Passing th* workshop of Mr. T. Ogg Shaw, on Davis street, tho last week, our attention wai attracted to a vory large sired Plow. We entered anil viewed it with great pleasure, not only on account of its superior finish, hut for its site and the power it would wield in the hands of a (rood plowman, and for the great depth and width of the furrow. This Plow, at we have remarked, was beyond the ordinary site, by far, and the whole style of the work was in good keeping with the size When in use it is intended to cut a furrow 17 inches wide and 14 inches deep, and do the work well. This we like t ■ see—and such labor will surely tell. All who want good Plows ats oa. go to Shaw's.

Stage Breakdown—Stage Driven should go prepared. Taking tho stage at Sacramento for Marysville on Tuesday last, the Old Company Line, we were so unfortunate as to he within an overloaded stage, with twenty-live passengers, and to havo a breakdown about eighteen miles out of Sacramento. It was not a serious accident, however, the thorough braves only breaking (tho iron work at the connection), but most unfortunate for the passengers, as the driver bad no straps, cords, ropes, or anything to repair damages, and it was lucky that the passengers had some cord to hold us, so that by walking the horses some four miles we reached the next tavern, where chains were found to repair the damages. It was a severe night, the wind blowing a gale, and twentyfive passengers shivering for an hour. We did not reach Marysville tdl midnight. We had always supposed a line like the California Stage Company would go prepared for any emergency, and have cords, straps, chains, extra harness, &c. If it has not been tbe case, it should be hereafter, for the safety and health of travelers, for twenty times the cost of a ride would not tempt us to be exposed thus a^ain.

Effects of the Bains. —Tho Mariposa Democrat of Thursday says:

Accounts reach us from all the rivers in the State, where mining is being done, of the disastrous effects of the late rains.

The Merced river commenced rising on Wednesday night Inst, and in a short time had risen (ive feet, carrying, with the Hood of water, the wrecks of llooms, wheels and other mining apparatus. The damage done to the miners on the river is very great, though the amount cannot be correctly estimated. Many of them were only just commencing to reap the benefit Of several months' labor, nftcr great expense in constructing flumes and dams, and from the prospects received their claims must have proven very profitable had the late tains held oil' a few weeks longer. But their chums are rendered valueless for the present, as they have been abandoned until next season. Among those who have saved something from tbe general wreck, are the three companies at llondville. who have a flume eight hundred yards in length, which was saved by the dam breaking in several places by tbe force of the first rush of water. Their pumping apparatus, wheels, tic. were carried ofr, however, by which their loss is considerable, 'l bs claims of these companies have been very remunerative during the short period tiny were worked. The company who were working the Squaw claim at Jones' flat, saved part of their Hume. We notice that quite a number of tbe river miners ate stopping in our town, and should the winter prove a wet one, as is believed, they may be able to make up their losses from the rich placer diggings in this vicinity. The Stanislaus river raised about seven feet on Thursday night, and was described as being full of wheels, Homes, sluices, and miners' cabins. The Tuo)limns river rose six feet, making a glean sweep —sluices, Humes, and in fact, all the machinery used lor working the river's bed, were swept away. 1 be Union Democrat thinks there is a "corresponding advantage" in having a large snpply oi wiiter for p! icer mining. The same p!i|ier adds that quarts operations have been somewhat delayed. The Mokchnnno river rose to within two inches ol high water mark. The same " wreck of matter and crash of —mining apparatus is spoken of as in other localities, scarcely anything being saved.

To CuiutKsi'iindents.— A letter received from Ad Valorem is on our table, but without signature, whereby to know the writer, without which it canuot appear. \Vo must say of it, however, that a portion of it in criticizing somo of our correspondents, it bocomos so personal that it would havo to be clipped of its rough features beforo it could appear, us we never publish ought that would cause pain in others or a blush for ourselves, und v personally hursh letter would, nnd such is m portion nt Ad Valorem, otherwise it would have appeared this week.

Limantour's OaM. — Mr. Fleming is continuing his testimony before Mr. Monroe, U. S. Commissioner, and has pointed out a large number of minute discrepancies between Limantoiir'sj papers and the genuine Mexican doceiuents. His evidence is of the greatest importance, as it establishes the fact that Limantour's expedients are all irregular. To the question was there any original grant liled before the 0, ri. Land Commission in case No. 715, Jose Y. Liutuntour lor 80 leagues of land near Cape Mendocino? the witness replied there was none; iv that ceso the irregular expenditure was not introduced; there eras :i traced copy of it; no original papers were filed in tho case ; that claim was rejected ; in the case No. TSil, then; was no original title papers filed and no proof introduced, and the claim was rejected; al.-o in case 781, claim of Lag una de Zaohe, eleven leagues, thero were papers filed consisting of an original grant to Antonio Charos, and a copy of convejance to Liuiantour from Charos.

Fink Tiikes.—Tho nursery card of J. Loweliing. K-i]., which appear-, in our columns this week, is worthy particular notice. Mr. Lc welling has given the best ptoof needed of the character of his trees ; ami he now shows that he is ready to supply orders at very libetal rales. We are happy to give a wide circulation to his excellent list of trees.