Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-07-08
agricultural,
From the Maine Farmer.
Why do Apple Orchards Die?
H.,. they Die---C.usss.

Why ito Apple Orcn"T"S ~"
Hs,. they Die---Causes.
This question which is OF such great
importance, have never seen answered.
II is a noticeable fact that apple orchards
are dying out more rapidly than IN for
mer wears. and this fact has been more
particularly noticeable during the last two
years. but last year more apple trees died
than in any former year. Some say they
die for want Of moisture. it having been
extremely dry for the last three years.
But when we come 10 view this matter
from more natural and practical sland-
point. we come 10 different conclusions.
= neishbor Of mine had very thrifty or
chard and but few trees dieG until they
had been planted about eight years and
commenced TO bear. At this age they
began TO die. and from all appearances
they we've as thrifty as trees could be,but
they kept dying and in four years more
they were all dead. He never could as
ceEain the cause. The trees would be
dead at the surface of the ground snd
the roots all dead or nearly SO, and The
trunks and top green. and they would
sometimes bloom and bear a crop OF
small apples. My neighbor told me that
there was no sign of any worms about
IL. 4 al .t Of
dying was mystery. l have noticed all
over The country that more or less trees
have died in young orchards. have an
orchard of forty acres, two thirds apples.
Some have been planted twelve years.
and few have died in the manner state
above. and on examining the roots OF the
trees closely. small. round. light color
ed. hard worm. was found under the
bark. bave found more or less OF these
worms in the roots OF nearly every tree
that has died. In some trees | found but
two or three, and in few cases / found
none but discovered where they had
been.
Treatment against Insects.
They are always found under the sur
face of the ground between the bark and
wood These worms are so small that it
is sometimes difficult to discover where
they have been. In length they are from
one fourth to three fourthS oil On inch
long. and of the size OF fine cambria
10 common sewing needle, and oi a
light color. The tree shows no sign OF
decay until il is ruined. There Is but one
effectual remedy that know OF to pro-
tect the trees against the ravages OF these
worms. Ny experiments with trees has
been very satisfactory. \ part OF my
orchard l wash every spring with strou.
I've. take IN old broom and apply the
I've 10 the bodies OF the trees; it cleans
the trees from moss anu destroys the
eggs OF insects. and enough lye will 90
10 the roots 10 destroy the worms-,he
I've Is also n great nOErishment L. the
tree. To part of the trees put about
three quarts of unleached ashes, putting
it close to the tree. This forms I've
which will destroy the worms. | have
never known the I've % inIure the trees.
bat is always great benefit 10 them and
have never had = tree die when treated
As above.
Insects and BIrds---Proteetion 10 Birds.
The past thee years have been very
favorable to the production Of insects
and detrimental TO the increase of birds.
therefore the insects have overbalanced
Natures scale in their favor. But we
are TO blame ourselves 10 great extent.
for the insect force over that OF the bird
power. We have some pitiable farmers
among Us that are so miSerly that if they
sss 3 bird taking few cherries, they will
pop il over. and if they see I red headed
vood.pecker helping itself to their early
apples they will kill it not considering tor
moment that the bird has been working
for them late and early the whole season,
and now they are killed for taking little
pay for their incessant labor. What in
gratitude. what moannssS Even i'll this
lightened age we SEQ persons that pre-
tend to be christian gentlemen shooting
birds tor sport. 1t is more particularly
the custom in the South. in the swamps
Of Florida, and all the Gulf States. and
on Red River where our birds stay during
the winter season. they are killed by
thousands. Unless Congress puts stop
to this wholesale slaughter oiinnocent and
insecuyerous birds, our country will be
swarming with insects, and crawling
with worms. ). j. WooLEY.
HiLiGrd, Ohio.