Middletown transcript., 1883-11-23

diseased tree, while the roots from the
same trees showed no perceptible diff
ference that could be ascertained from
either botonical or a chemical inves-
tigation. Hence the treatment recon-
mended is a plentiful supply of the
food necessary for healthy growth
and Of the chemicals Of which the af-
fected trees show deficiency.
The recommendations given after
careful experiments both as to cultiva-
tion and the application Of the necessary
plant food are
"1.-Avoid the undue application of
stable manures. If used have them
well composted.
"2.-If the tree is already diseased,
trim back all branches showing symp-
toms of yellows, or on which prema-
ture fruit has grown.
3.-Cultivate thoroughly.
Apply commercial fertilizers of
the following mixtures:
Dissolved Bone Black, 450fbs
Muriate of Potash. $50 "
Kieserite. 25 "
The above to be applied to one acre
Of 100 trees and to be repeated each
year to insure healthy growth and
freedom from disease. 1t is further
recommended that where trees are
known to be diseased an additional ap-
plication of to pounds of muriate be
applied to the base of such diseased
trees in the fall. In reply to COM
munication as to the nature of
Kieserite,' - Prof. P. writes that it is
the crude sulphate of magnesia, cost
ing about one-half cent per pound, and
is the least important constituent OF
the formula, is being added for the
purpose of making complete fertilizer,
and also because of important chemical
action in the soil where potash salts are
an important factor.'
Bone black is recommended because
it contains no ammonia, phosphoric
acid and potash being the only chemical
ingredients necessary for peach tree fer
tilizers.
1t may be proper to add here that dis
solved South Carolina rock will furnish
the same ingredient though in less
quantity, 1900 pounds of dissolved rock
and 400 pounds of muriate Of potash
furnishing the same ingredients in
about the same proportions as the for
mula above given, and the same quanti-
ties per acre if used in the proportions
of five pounds of the latter to four
pounds of the former.
In the communication above referred
to, Prof. P. states that trees which had
shown unmistakable symptoms of
yellOws, and on parts of which prema-
ture fruit had grown, have, after being
treated in accordance with the above
recommendations, "borne good healthy
fruit for three consecutive seasons, and
as yet show no further signs of dis
ease. y
In later communication he gives
the result of experimental tests in the
treatment Of six young trees planted in
April last. When the leaves came
out the trees all proved diseased. They
were treated for experimental tests as
follows
No. mo manure was used.
"No, 2.-Stable manure in the usual
quantity.
"No. 3.-Dissolve bone black, kies-
erite and muriate Of potash.
"No. 4.-Dissolved bone black,
kieserite and nitrate of potash.
"No. 5.-Dissolved bone black,
kieserite and nitrate of soda.
"No. 6.-Dissolved bone black,
kieserite and sulphate of potash (kane-
ite).
"Nos. 3, 4, and 6, each received an
application of three pounds per tree,
mixed in the proportions given in the
above formula, the application being
divided and applied at different periods.
They all showed the same condition
at first, but in August the tree treated
with muriate of potash had developed
beautiful leGUes and nice acood, while the
others all showed the same badly dis
eased state. In September all the trees
died except that treated nth the muridte,
and that was looking at last accounts
perfectly healthy"
Probably it would not be inappro-
pirate to add in conclusion that the
writer has for several years been expert
menting with fertilizers composed of
bone and muriate in proportions vary
ing from 400 to 900 pounds of the latter
to one ton of the mixture, and
applied to the trees in quantities
from 200 to 300 pounds per acre; and
while the trees where such applications
have been made have always made a
more vigorous growth, been better
bearers and longer lived, have never
yet known a tree once affected, or on
which premature fruit had once shown
itself that had not surely, though
sometimes slowly and gradually, de-
clined and died.
1t is proper to say, however, that
only one-half the quantity above re-
recommended had been used, and the
different experiments cannot be Judged
by the comparisons here given, differing
asthey do so widely in tho quantities ap-
piled, though about the same in the