The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-04-18
TOPICS FOR FARMERS.
Roots of Trees Attacked by Fungi

Roots Of Trees Attacked by Fungi
Most cultivators," says an English |
agricultural journal, have, doubtless, |
occasionally had to deal with or pre-
scribe for trees (both fruit-bearing and
ornamentaD the roots of which are SO
infested with the spores or long, thread
like flaments of some species of fungi as
to endanger their lives. They are in
sidious pests that slowly but surely
poison their victims. Being of so dan
gerous a character, every precaution
should, therefore, be taken when plant
ing rare or valuable trees that fungus
germs are not introduced by using any
half-decayed vegetable substance, such
as leaf-mold or the sweepings from old
fagot heaps. Planting young tree in
the site Just previously occupied by an
old one without thoroughly trenching
and intermixing the soil, at the same
time picking out every bit of SCOT, is
dangerous proceeding. The best plan
to adopt, when it is necessary to plant
young tree where an old one pre-
viously stood, is to open out a good hole,
say six feet square and two feet deep,
and cart the soil away bodily, and bring
back fresh material from a position
where no trees are growing. Many
young and valuable tree has been lost
| from want of this care, and if many
! tree that has an unhealthy tinge were
examined, fungi would be found on its
roots. Trees infested with fungus will
in nearly all cases be found dry at the
root; it cannot exist in damp soil. l
have known trees planted on heap of
stones, with a view of securing a we'll
| drained site, so subject to it that it was
necessary to lift and replant. The best
and surest remedy is water strongly i'm
pregnated with SCOT; the latter acts as
check upon the growth of fungi, and is
beneficial and strengthening to the tree.
Trees of only moderate size could be
taken out and have their roots carefully
washed in pond or large tub, and then
be carefully replanted in fresh soil.
Those too large to be lifted should have
trench opened at suitable distance
from the trunk, SO as not unnecessarily
to mutilate the roots, and the trench to
be kept full of water until every particle
of soil is thoroughly moistened; in fact,
it is impossible to overdo it, as it must
be drowned out, and the soaking with
water ought to be repeated two or three
times. If the soil be poor or exhausted,
some of it should be removed and re-
placed with fresh material; at any rate,
the trench should be filled with fresh
earth, and some fresh loan should be
used as mulching or top-dressing. Just
before growth begins will be a suitable
time for ascertaining the condition of
evergreen trees. Deciduous trees should
be seen to at once if there is any sus-
picion of fungi at their roots.
Experience.-J. L. Perkins, of Har-
rison County, Iowa. gives his last sea-
sons experience as follows: al wait
till the Goth of June at least; have my
seed properly cut Zone or two eyes to a
set); have my boy ready to follow; take
my team, with twelve-inch stirring
pillow, and 60 one round. In the second
furrow the boy follows, dropping one
set every two feet, as near as possible
planting in this way every third furrow
till I finish. I plow eight to twelve
, inches deep. If any weeds should star
(Which is likely, run the cultivation
I, through, but keep the ground as level az
convenient. When wish to dig, take
, the same plow, commencing at the deac
, furrow where | left off, and turn the
ground back. Four boys can pick uI
: as fast as plow, as there are few pota
toes except in every third furrow. Whe1
through plowing, 1 take the harrow ane
60 over the burrows cross-wise, and thu
$ get nearly every potato. The followin.
r is the result of an experiment with on,
acre.