Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-02-09
A Cure for Pear Blight,


think this same cure like DIR. Tai
laDt's of Iowa, is of little practical
value here in the West and North
west. These gentlemen give us
some physiological facts in refer
ence to sporadic dieases that are
not found to be facts according to
the studies of our best modern
srypiogamists. For instance, when
DR.. Stewart says that, smut spores
are previously taken up with the
manure. circulate with sap, and
terminate into immense puff balls,
he is simply stating theories Of his
own and not proven facts. For
men who have studied cryptogam-
ic reproduction for many years with
all the best faculties for thorough
investigation, have found no proven
case where either fungi or their
spores circulate with either the crude
or elaborated sapor uices of plants
On the contrary, they all germi-
nate on the surface and penetrate
iuto the plant or other living tissue
by their own growth. There are
of course seeming exceptions to
this general rule, and it is also con-
sidered fact by vegetable physiol-
ogists that nothing but what is alb
solutely soluble in water can circu-
late through the tissues or cells OF
living plants, and spores be. they
ever so small, arc certainly not sui
uble in water.
Our correspondents, Prof. Bur-
rell and others during the past few
months have demonstrated clearly
what pear blight is, and there only
remains for us 10 find a practical
preventive Of if, for it has Teen
shown that it cannot be cured, as
it kills the tissue of the tree so far
as it invades; and we believe that
none of our skilled doctors pretend
TO restore life in disorganized dead
cellular tissue, either in man or
tree.
Then the only cure for pear
blight is prevention. The keeping
mp continually Of a strong perfect
vitality at all seasons is one Of the
best known preyentives Of diseases
like pear blight. And it is neces-
sary at all times that this vitality re-
ceives no sudden weakening shocks
For the strongest and most perfect
locking man, OK. swine, tree, or
plant, IS liable at any moment to
receive prostrating shock from
natural causes, unavoidable. that
may render him or it liable to the
most vilulent attacks. And spo-
radio diseases are as a rule more ia
fal when they once take hold, TO
great muscular man, OK, or hog,and
also the over fed tree Or plant, than
TO individuals not so robust, and
which have had to struggle little
for proper nutrition.
AS was said before in this paper
lately. DIR. Stewards "iertilizers.
rich in salts and potash around the
stems and DR.. Taliant's "wheel-
barrow load OF unieImcnted manure
around the stem OF each tree in all
tumn" are simply in tie line of pre-
veniives, and only preventive so far
as they strengthen the vitality OF
the trees. Manures and alkslies,
salts, etc, placed Immediately
around the stems Of trees, especial
ly old trees can do them but very
title immediate good,only as far as
the rains wash out and carry out
wardly to the feeding roots their
properties Of nutrition, either me
chanically in the way OF mulch, or
for the nutrition Of the tree. Yet
both of these gentlemen say they
pile up their manure around the
stem Of their trees where it can do
about as much good as.the doctors
medicine would a belfast patient
it he would put his edicine entirely
out of bis reach. Manure, if it is
to be of any immediate value should
be placed where the roots of the
tree can reach it. We have always
considered strong stimulating ma
nres, especially flesh, rich animal
manurss unfit for the pear tree, and
have considered that special manures
or fertilizers rich in alkalies, salts
and posphates, applied as needed to
give robust normal mature growth !
tie proper thing
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