The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1883-01-17
Heroic Treatment.
Pacific Rural Press,


In 1878 the Mutual Orchard Co.
of Oakland planted by contract some
2l0 acres of land in that tract with
orange and lemon trees. The work,
as usual with such jobs, was very
badly done, and in November, 1879,
Mr.. Brown was placed ia char ge Of
a portion Of The orchard, with in
struction to use his best endeavors to
save what he could Of it. After
wear OF successful cultivation, re>
planting, ETC., the company divided
the land among the members, and
Mr.. Brown remained in charge of the
80 acres OF orange orchard belonging
to Hopkins, and of so acres OF irri-
gated land adjoining, which were at
forwards set out with imported
pickle l'icholine) olives and raislu
grapes. But, though constant and
thorough cultivation, irrigation, 60
pher and rabbit determination and
replauting had done much to save
tbs orange trees, they continued
black with smut and scale, and made
in consequence but unsatisfactory
growth. Receiving orders from the
owner to find some means of Kidding
the trees Of these pests, or TO put the
land TO other uses, Mr.. Brown res
solved on heroic treatment. During
the summer OF 1881 heavy pruning
was resorted to, many of the trees
losing from half to three fourths Of
their foliage. This work was care
fully done, the limbs being cut off
close to the trunk, shaved off smooth,
and the wounds at once covered with
red lead paint. The sun and air be>
ing thus admitted freely To all the
tops that remained, the trunks and
branches were thoroughly white
washed with lime. The following
winter was made memorable by sew
eral sand"storms OF unusual violence.
These trees, being comparatively IN
protected by leaves, received on
their bare branches the full force OF
the sand blast, which had the effect
of completely killing and clearing off
every particle OF smut and scale on
the sides OF the stems and branches
exposed to the wiud-an effect like
wise produced on Other trees in the
vicinity, but to an imperfect degree,
because. having all their natural tops
on them, their heavy foliage protect.
ed the insects and smut. But, though
Mr.. Hopkins trees in the spring OF
1882 looked as ii the fire had passed
Observation-Disclosures worth any
further effort-Mr. Brown proceeded
to finish their cure by giving them
liberal dose of whale oil soap suds,
which, applied with whitewash brush
es in every crack and Granny where
insects love to conceal themselves
snd their eggs, gave both the pests
their coup de grace. This was done
in July. During the season abund
ant irrigation and The continual use
of the cultivator have done their part
in producing a clean, healthy, vlgor
Gus growth, which has astonished all
who have watched the fate OF that
plantation. Not sign OF smut now
remains, and not a living scale can
be found on any of the trees treated
by Mr.. Brown The stems and
branches are clean, smooth and tree
from bark-bind. The new growth
Is stout, the leaves large, and by an"
Other year the trees, which will then
be ten years old from the seed, will
doubtless begin to bear large, c.ean
fruit, such as will command the high
est price in the market.
To illustrate the vigor OF the last
six months growth, Mr.. Brown
shows shoot that made its appears
ance in June last on the stump Of a
stedliI g about two inches in dame
ter that had been broken off by the
eaud>storm. Ihot shoot had groom
eight and one half feet bet'cee's June
10 and December 8.
o.
We will issue fifteen hundred extra