The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-10-22

DeIand yousa County Florida Wednesday, October 90 1879

understand me to question the cor
! rectness of the opinions expressed by
/ your correspondents. In referring to
| the various conditions referred to, I
have an object in view-that of arriv-
ing at something definite regarding
an important pathological condition
affecting orange trees. We should
honestly and candidly admit that the
orange tree has enemies, and we
should carefully study its diseases, and
if possible eradicate them. AS an
evidence of the importance of this
position l need but refer to the Is.
land of Bermuda. At one time this
fair land was the home of the orange,
and large quantities were exported.
In my wanderings about the island,
+ few years since, succeeded in find
| ing few diseased trees, and the fruit
-wellit won't do to referto its size.
Juiclness, or sweetness 3iA aai 4t.' t
| In the investigation of scientific
subjects we are apt to overlook sim.
pie things, and jump at conclusions,
which will not stand the test OF close
observation and study. To illustrate
this position, I need but refer to the
rust on the orange. Some referred it
to hygrometric conditions, others to
the action of the sun scorching the
epidermis and some to a deficiency of
lime in the soil. Yet the s'little 10.
ker" that created the trouble, laughed
at theorists, preyed on the epidermis
OF the leaves, his natural habitat; and
when disposed amused himself by de.
stroying the external coat of the fruit
and exposing the cellular structure of
the rind to the action of the atmos-
phere. In many instances the investi-
cations and theories of individuals
are yalueless and lead to error. In
prosecuting some Investigations, the
proper method is to obtain reliable
data from number OF observers, and
rem 9aereRt .I lSStsaljtjs esaAyHld IN
| origin of the disease may be fungal
| insectorial, lettural hYgrometric OF
manurial, but we have too many posi-,
tive and conflicting opinions; and as
we have SO few data before US, and as
they are so contradictory, we are not
| justified in receiving any theory Of
causation unquestioned. What is re-
quired is collective evidence regard.
ng the genesis Of this disease.
| Die-back should be carefully inves-
tigated and studied, and every fact
having bearing on the affection re-
corded and snalyzed. This is sub.
| ject requiring the assistance of a num-
Der of independent observers, and
through your columns appeal to your
readers to aid me in the investigation.
I am prepared to devote the necessary
time to study the affection, microscop-
ically, ard collate facts if furnished.
The first object should be, to find out
what is not the cause Of the affection
and the field of investigation will be
narrowed or, in other words, study
it by the way of exclusion. If it can
be established that it is not caused by
plethora, manures, excess of moisture
at the roots or mal.nutrition. step
will have been gained. What Iwish
to secure are carefully -determined and
recorded facts, from a number of per-
sons in different portions of the State,
independanu of theoretical views.
Hence your readers who have oppor.
tunities for observation, will oblige
by favoring me with correspondence,
and a full statement of all the infor-
nation in their possession regarding
the origin, progress and results of the
affection, combined with as far as pos
|, sible, specific answers to the following
, queries: -s'i -.i'.. ,... ..au-.
Il Character Of surface, soil and
depth of same? - a., Wv ..l,,,o.
b. Character Of sub-soil sand,
hard.pan, shell, clay, mari, etc?
r. 8. Character Of drainage of sub
} soil--that is to say, does 1t become
: saturated with water during the rainy
! season or otherwise p ''- '''' ~
II 4. Permanent water-depth from
D | surfaee? 3@'i9s''o' i.' . 90 y. H..
sf IS. Water level during rainy season?
IL 6. Age OF trees affected? ~ -.
II" Z. Budded or seeding trees?
II s. If budded, on what stock?
II 8. When did disease appear? u
10. Did it appear on one tree or a
: | ourohar simultaneously