The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-05-09
THURSDAY EvEN'G, MAY 8, 1872.
POTOMAC FRUIT-GRowER's AssO-
CATION.

The meetings of this important body in
crease in interest and value from month to
month. A large number of the most in
telligent fruit-growers Of Virginia, District
of Columbia and Maryland form its men,
bership. Its object is to collect facts and
disseminate information and stimulate the
production of fruits Of all varieties adapted
to this climate. The discussions are very
practical and invaluable, to both amateurs
and fruit-growers generally. They are
published very fully in the STATE JOUR-
NAL monthly. Our friends in Virginia
who are interested in growing and improv-
ing fruit will find these reports rich in USE
full hints. They contain the results of the
latest experiments Of the Government gar
dens, of the experience of numerous MEM
bers. The May meeting brought goodly
number of members from their attractive
and busy tasks. The discussion opened
with question about the mixture used on
the trees in the propagating garden, and
why it is applied.
Mr.. Sanders, superintendent of the gar
den, replied that it is whitewash for
blight, composed of one peck of lime, four
pounds sulphur, and one ounce of carbolic
acid added. 1t is applied with a brush
when blight appears or threatens, and
promises well. The pear blight is fun
gold growth, which appears on the limbs,
body or roots OF tree. If it strikes the
roots the tree is killed, but if it appear on
the trunk or branches, and is cut out at
once, the tree may recover. Sulphur and
carbolic acid are destructive to fungoid
growths. A member inquired, "if the
whitewash would hinder the growth of the
tree"
Mr.. Sanders says, "that the bark of the
tree has no vital function. 1t only protects
from sudden changes of temperature, &c.,
and as it grows old is torn off as in the
case of the shell bark hickory"
He has used it for twelve years and the
trees are growing better. ... ..-.
The sunlight in apple trees was noticed
by Mr.. Bramhall, who says that some
Winesaps that have been bent over by the
wind are blighted. Mr.. Sanders asks,
why grow the trees so high as to have
them blow over" "a. Il. aa
Mr.. Bramhall replies, so as to plow
them.
Mr.. S. replies, that is the penalty Of
blowing. 1t cuts off the surface roots and
removes its anchorage, weakening the trees
and destroying the little spongioles which
form fruit buds. Young trees have no
fruit buds because their roots have not
formed these spongioles. The whole art
of fruit culture is to form abundant and
healthy organs Of this character. Too
deep blowing will also have bad effect,
preventing the formation of spongioles.
Colonel Curtiss says that the pillow
should never come nearer the tree than its
branches admit. The advantages of low
headed trees will pay for more than the
extra cost of cultivation. Too much cult
walton Of bearing trees will produce badly
ripened wood, and hinder fruitfulness.
Mr.. King says that cultivation by plows
is undoubtedly injurious. We have fallen
into this practice by following out the old
modes of culture. Every root that is de-
stroyed is an injury to the tree. The value
Of mulching to shade the ground is very
well established. He commended Mr..
Sanders practice of grassing down the Or
chard after the trees have grown to pro-
per bearing size. Only clover should be
used. .. ..-a,.
DIR. Rowland related an experiment by
Hillman Froth, Esq, of Accotink, in ex-
terminating borers in peach trees. He
used a very thick solution of guano after
taking out the worms, and put the soil
back. It seemed eflectual as preventive.
The Doctor suggests early destruction of
the worms before they spin their cocoons.
In November the trees should be wormed
again. His own trees had been in part
treated to fish ofial, and those trees had
less worms. Mr.. Sanders says that lit
tie moisture of lime and ashes put around
the tree after setting or after worming, will
prevent borers. Nothing will do if we
don't dig the worms out, says Dir. How
land. Major King says they work in win
ter as well as summer. A sharp knife and
a wire are the things; to have the square
wires from an umbrella are good. The
roots are bored for Is inches, and man
follows with ashes and lime, and puts a
shovelful to each tree.
Judge Gray says he don't spend his
time In looking for worms. Thinks !