The true northerner., 1877-08-17
From the Horticultural College.

Correspondence Of The True Northerner.
This terribly warm weather seems to make
everyone feel like going off some where. Near
y all the ministers IN Lansing we're gone last
Sunday for visit or to rusticate, and the pull
pits were mostly filed by ministers from other
places. This would seem to show that minis
ters, as we'll as others, get restless once in a
while and feel relieved by & trading off," 1t
doesn't make much difference where you go'
but you must go somewhere. Many have TAX
en- this time to visit our college, and for the
last two weeks our grounds have been constant
ly filed with visitors. few days ago the
Faculty Of the Agricultural college Of Canada,
made US . Wait, and seemed verv we'll enter
tanned. It seemed especially amusing to them
to see students work.
Prof. Beal has been gone for two weeks with
the other members OF the orcharl committee,
appointed by the State Pomological Society at
it's last meeting. They have been called to
every part Of the State and when through will
have visited thirty-nine orchards
Prof. Kedze, in a lecture few davs ago,
showed by several very satisfactory experiments
how clothing worn by women and children may
be prevented from taking fire, or at least pre-
vent it from burning with blaze, by using in
the water in whichlthe clothes are starched one
part Of borax to eleven Of water. He gave the
historyjand results OF long series at lnvestiga-
t,ous by scientists in the past; butfor Of ap
plication, chespness and perfect efficiency. none
seem 90 we'll calculated to meet the demand 90
faithfully ss this by DIR. Kedze.
Some experiments have been going on in the
orchard which in the absence of apples may be
Of some interest. Last year some Of the trees
were loaded, while others had none on them.
as is we'll shown in every orchard. 1t is gener-
ally been found that the same tree will not give
good crop two years in succession, notwth-
standing every available means have been ap-
parently brought to bear upon them. Last
year some Of the trees were stripped Of their
fruits and kept busy in putting forth new wood.
This year IL is found that these trees are we'll
laden. Last year apples were 80 abundant as
to be Of but little profit. This year they are
scarce aud high, and those who have a crop
this fall will realize handsome income. Is it
not probable that we may still farther i'm
prove on this subject, and enjoy apples every
winter instead OF gorging ourselves one season
and going hungry the next ? This year all the
wormy'apples have been picked and buried to
get rid Of the codling moth, (carpocapsa POM
onelta) the worst, perhaps, OF all orchard pests.
AS farther remedy, there is placed on every
bearing tree, midway between the ground and
first limb. piece of heavy paper about five
inches wide and long enough to go around and
fasten with tack. This is only done after all
rough, loose bark is scraped off, and the bands
are put on by June 20. The object OF the
bands is to enable the orchardist to catch the
worms, as they are called, which is done by
going to the trees every ten days after the 7th
of July, and destroy the larva secreted there
After August 25th there will be no need Of
going again. until the fruit has been gathered
II every farmer would apply some such reme-
dy thoroughly, there would be but few wormy
apples and they would be saved from their an
noyance and put cash in their pockets. This
subject Of insect pests brings me to speak q
few words about the plum curculio, (conotrd-
chelus nenuphar) which has 80 thoroughly dis
couraged the culture of this delicious fruit In
our State that those who fight the insects are
getting rich and enjoying the feasts from these
old standbys in the way OF fruit. The best
remedy given for them is what is called the
Ransom process. II has been found that the
insect comes down from the tree early in the
season to hide by day. BY keeping the ground
under the tree hard and smoothe and placing
there board or some bark we may find them
hid there and they are easily destroyed by step
ping on the board or gathering and killing most
any way. Later in the season they will not
come down, but may be brought down by tap
ping the tree with mallet on limb stub, pre-
viously made for this purpose. When this is
done, they may be very easily gathered by
placing sheet or some other material under
the tree on which tkey may be made to fall
chickens will eat them, believe there is no
fruit more easily raised and none that will make
the pocket laugh more heartily.
The second division OF juniors gave orations
last Wednesday, rs follows g Culture by So
ciety," A. A. Robinson, Detroit; The extent
OF the Presidents Power" Frank Robson,
Lansing Character Wins Success."J. Monroe,
Lawrence Services OF Ancient Great Men,"
Fremont Skeels, Grand Rapids " Success in
Farming" Z. o. Ladel, Traverse City "Ad-
vantsges OF To-day over one hundred years
ago." ]. L. Thomas, Pontiac; "Self Reliance"
James Troop, Matherten Power of FASH
ion, Ed. Rswson, Decatur "A Summer Ev-
enlng in the country, e. d. A. True, Armada.