The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-07-12
BLIGHT.

brought forth tho following letter from an
esteemed friend in Abbeville, which, VIC
think, is worth more, practically, than all the
scientific advice that could be given us by
the cntomologist. 1t will be remembered
that we asked the Commissioner of Agr;-i
culture, "What is blight 2" and he simply,
echoed back tho question. Mr.. Saunders
said it was fungoid growth that could be
prevented by washing the tree in strong
solution of sulphur and lime, but that it
could not be cured. Here is practical
letter from an intelligent man who, by care
full watching, prevents blight, and if per-
chance his vigilance has been overcome
and the tree is attacked, he at once sets
about curing it.
Is it not strange such men will keep their
lights hid away under bushcl? We beg
our friend to turn philanthropist, and send
us much more Information, which we know
he possesses, upon the the subject of horti-
culture and gardening. Help one another
should be the Southern farmers motto, for
we are all cropping in the dark, and we want
that experience which will stand the test Of
science, aud we know there are many men
who read the News and Courier who have
that very experience, but from some cause
OF other are 10th to commit it to the columns
of paper, for fear perhaps it may be criti-
cised. But to tho letter, which reads as
follows:
"Your article on blight in pear and apple
trees has attracted my attention. am not
scientific fruit-grower, but l have had
some little experience in the matter of
blight Your Sumter correspondent is
wrong, in my judgement, aboat insects hav-
ing anything to do with it. In an expert
ence Of ten years have never seen any
traces of insect ,oood in the disease. Blight
is an erratic disease in its operations, somo-
times attacking the trunk Of the tree, some
times the middle or other portions, some
times the ends !of, J. and sometimes the most
vigorous looking limbs. -
"Your scientific man at Washington SAYS:
'What is Blight? No one knows If he
means that no ono knows the cause or how
to prcUcnt it, he would be correct; but my
observation satisfies me that it is disease
of the outer or primal bark, which if not
arrested extends to the inner bark. That
it is disease of the outer bark only is ap-
parent from the fact that if this affected
part is removed before it extends to the
wood another bark is formed, and the tree
seems to suffer no injury. Sometimes also
may be seen places where the disease has
attacked parts of the tree, which seem to
have dried up without permanent injury to
the adjacent parts.
81 have experimental with various pre-
acnttUcs, but found none to succeed. The
disease can be effectually controlled, or ar
rested, by the free use Of the pruning saw
and sharp knife but this requires con-
stant care and watchfulness, and the remedy
should be applied as soon as the disease ap-
pears anywhere.
"Ten years ago lost every pear tree but
three, and have not lost one set out since
and these three, though badly affected when
commenced using the saw and knife have
continued to thrive and bear fine crops, and
yet to the height of five feet or more every
particle Of tho original outer bark has been
shaved off with the knife.
"The affected part must be shaved off
until you reach the green inner bark, taking
care not to cut through to the wood. I
have arrested it on very young limbs and
sprouts, when the bark was too thin to share,
by simply scraping it.
81 say it is disease in the outer bark
ouiy, III th0 HISC Instance, because IN q
period Of ten years have never known the
secondary bark formed to become affected,
and theremoving of tho outer bark does
not seem to affect the vitality or bearing
qualities of the tree.
"The following incident will show that
the experience of the mountaineers of North
Carolina with their apple trees has taught
them the same thing. When in Horse
Cove, N. c., a few years ago, noticed
youth Of about sixteen diligently sharing
off the outer bark Of vigorous and healthy
looking apple tree. I asked him why he
did this, and he replied that the bark of
the apple tree ought to be shaved off once
in every seven years. To the further ques.
ton, What is the reason of this p he re-
piled that he did not know, but had fire..
quently heard old people say that this was
necessary to keep them healthy
"Blight usually appears during the first
bearing period, and from early spring till
cool weather. I never permit mere than
three or four days to elapse without examin-
ing each tree, and if any signs of tine dis.
case appear | at once apply the knife.
snow, my dear sir, may not know more
than others about this subject, but if every
fruit-grower will watch his trees carefully
and apply the knife and sal promptly, par
ticularly the knife, there need be no COM
L