Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-10-02
From The Albany Cnhirator.
The PcaCh--LnipOrtait Experi-
nleuf.

mebl.
MEssRs. GAYLORD 81 TUcKER.---ln the
spring of 1897, wrote to Judge BueI,
asking him to join me in experiments
on the Peach tree with saltpetre, and
proposed TO give the result through the
medium of the Cultivator TO the public.
| gave as my reason for that request,
that as far as my observation extended,
| had always observed that on soils
containing nitre and murate of soda,
the peach tree lives luxuriantly to an
advanced age, while upon soils imme-
diately adjoining, seldom attains the
age of seven years.
As instances in vindication Of this oc-
cur SO frequently, | have been astonish-
ed TO see them passed over without nos
! tiCe, and now advert TO some of them
to establish the truth of this position.
Peach trees growing in the site where
once stood dwelling, generally live to
an old age, the soil of which, by analy>
sis, will give a proportion of nitre. The
same thing occurs in many districts of
the west and south west; upon one
farm the occupant has no difficulty in
having good peaches, while his neigh
Dor finds it difficult task to prolong
the life Of the trees 10 u few years, and
on well cultivated farms near the sea-
board. have been informed they have
but little difficulty in growing thus tree.
Having these and other instances for
my guidance, | commenced expert
ments with salt and saltpctre, in the
year 1896, upon an orchard SIX years
old; clover was sowed upon it that
spring, and it remained in grass till last
fall, when it was ploughcd and sown in
wheat, and clover this spring. The
trees in 80 were full of worms; some
of the trees were dead, others apparent
ly dying, and but very few put on the
appearance Of health: such was lis dis
tempered condition that some of my
friends advised me to cut down about
one c-half of those that yet showed life,
saving that such was the practice OF
peach growers. thought it would be
a bad practice for a physician to de-
strov one or more of a iami Y to prevent
disease from spreading, aud after cut
ting down those that were dead, com
menced on the balance with equal Quan.
titles of salt and saltpetre combined, ap.
plying about half a pound upon the
surface and in contact with the trunb
of the tree: then sowed it broadcas
over part of the orchard, at the rate o
about two bushels per acre. The re
/ suit of this application to the surprise O
my friends, was the appearance of per-
feet health, with new and viGorou;
shoots, the trees full Of fruit, which ma
, tured with increased size and improved
, flavor. Towards the last of March
, and again in May and September, 1887
. applied the same Ingredients in differ
ent proportions, without observing mucl
difference in the effect; though | have
since thought that where ! applied tn,
saltpetre alone, and where the larges
= portion of the mixture was nltre, tht
effect was best: but N consequence o
/ the price of saItpetre, have endeavor
ed TO ascertain the smallest quantity
that should be used. and would not ad
: wise less than one-elghth, though
] SilOulu IJlCIti III, VI lil'lC' AVA
/. trees this fall QS37,) were free from
0 worms, all doing well, and have tounr
g no further use for the axe in the or
: chard. In the year 1888, applied tn
r mixture to part of my orchard II
s March, the other part received the ap
v plica,ion in June and September; upol
h that part done in March, | had an a
# bundance of fruit, while those done i
d the 9th and 9th months were compare
O lively destitute of fruit, it having bee
h killed by late frost. 1t occurred /
: me that was indebted to the salt &c
e for the abundance of fruit OH the tree
n done in March, by It's retarding vege
a tation, and from an experiment made i
: '37. it appeared to be the case, thong
l. | have never considered it of suiilcier
J. importance to repeat it for the purpoS
X of testing it further.
h In regard to the best time to max
q this application, would say about III
l. first of April. and TO those trees havn
l. woms in them again in June or Scptcn
sc ber, as the appearance ofthe worm ma
lr indicate It's necessity, using about two
If thirds of the usual quantity for the Jun
N OF September dressing, and 10 be use
is only in contact with the trunk of IN