The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-02-27

IA u2vC1nAS lSOsn POAAAs w POAAss ~ seAA1
. and other States we find the success va
ried as much as the soils of the different
parts of the country vary. To be sue
cessful in this as well as in any other
branch of husbandry, it is of the ut
, most importance that care and common
sense be exercised:
First-In the selection of soil.
Second-In the selection of kinds to
be grown.
Third-In the management of trees.
As to the first proposition, the essen
tial qualities of soil must be secured else
a want Of proper conditions will prevail.
To succeed in growing the cereals, the
necessary elements must exist or fail
ure occurs. just SO of the pear. Soil,
then, is the foundation on which to build.
We hold that the best experience of pear
culturists teaches that sand and grav-
ely soil intermingled with lime, having
an undertakings, is the best. AS the
pear is unlike most other fruits in one
particular, that of slow growth, where
fruit is the object it is necessary to guard
against too rich soils or excessive mulch
ing.
Second.-The selection of kinds is of
much Importance, taking into account
the latitude and in some instances the
longitude where it is proposed to plant
the trees. The reason of this is the
fact that the condition of the atmos-
phcre has much to do with success or
failure. While one variety may succeed
in 80 degrees another may want Sc or
even 80 degrees, thus it will be seen that
there is much to be taken into account
in the premises.
Third.-Management of trees is not
the least of Importance, as however
good the soil, or adapted the kind, care
or management must intervene or all is
lost. II is the custom with most orch
ardist to rely wholly upon the disections
Of the tree peddlcr. who is generally ir-
responsible, hence gives advice gratuit-
ously. See to it then that your trees
are not dug up and the roots thrown to
the sun and air, thereby killing most of
the small fibrous roots. 1t is the custom
of large nurserymen to send one Iarty
to dig up the trees to fill an order; then
comes the team to haul into the packing
yard; then comes the packers, who Sc
lect kinds and bale them. All of this
takes time, and during which the roots
are exposed, if not left over night, to
get the frost, if any. In planting, care
should be taken to have loose, pliablc
soil. so that the fibrous roots can be
carefully spread and covered with the
moist earth, which will enable the tree
to begin ut once TO obtain its food. New
er fill in with clods or soil SO wet that
it will bake in the first two hours. Keep
the upper mold loose and the weeds
away, but do not try to stimulate too
much should you do this you will sure
ly supply the elements of blight, mat
ter to be carefully guarded against.
ELIGuT-ITs CAUSE AND REMEDY BRIEF
LY SUGGESTED.
As many trees are subject to this dis
case, let us first inquire into its cause,
then, if we can, apply the remedy. Po-
biologists differ as to the cause. Some
attribute it to fungus growth OCCASION
ed DO damp weather, others to the cleo
tricity in the atmosphere at certain sea-
SONS; both Of which we believe to be
erroneous
First-Because we believe it impossi-
BILE TO find the fungi a!sached to the af-
fccted parts upon first discovering blight
Second-Becausc electricity pervades
the whole atmosphere and would affect
all parts equally in the same locality,
supposing the same conditions to exist
abou. each tree of the orchard.
But as blight affects different trees,
missing entirely some contiguous trees,
thus showing conclusiyely that it is not
electricity. what then is the primary
cause of pear blight? We answer that
the peculiar conditions of soil, moisture
and heat are the foundations of blight
in its various forms.
l. An alluvial soil composed of vege-
table mold necessarily contains great
err quantity of moisture than is necessa-
ry for healthy growth.
2. An entirely clay soil becomes too
compact and consequently holds surface
water in too great quantity, thus in a
manner drowning The rootlets, leaving
nothing but the coarser roots to supply
growth.
Neither of these conditions answering
our purpose. we must look elsewhere. |
If we take gravcly. sandy and time |
soil we meet amedium containing all the |
essential requisites; neither too moist
because we have natural understanding,
nor too dry because the moisture will |
rise when dry weather approaches. thus
being natural self-regulator and afford
.ng the roots an opportunity of reach
ny out for plant food. Hence we have
rs a result. first, too rapid growth COM
bined with an excess of moisture and
the heat of the sun ON rich. loany soils
rs the direct cause of blight. Evidences
of this are overstimulation in the grow
ing season. softening the wood. with hot
sun rays producing 4 steam-like sap.
which. when carried to u certain extent.
>calds the tender shoots and kills them.
In order then to prevent this, we must
be careful not to stimulate growth too
fast, giving the wood time TO harden 's
it is formed. Should blight set in. we
must cut of the affected parts and re-
move the stimulation. either by rcmov-
ing the richer soil or root pruning to
check tie flow of sap into the tree.
j. Ii. WEyBRIGHr
Lawrence, February II. 1879.
To Keep Calicoes from Fading.