The National tribune., 1883-07-26
RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers.
To the Editor NATIONAL TR1pu,sE:

have Just read your comments on the paper
prepared at Houghton Farm on the subject of
the yellows in the peach. The reasons which
you give for disbelieving that this disease is
caused by the exhaustion OF the soil appear to
be perfectly satisfactory. In this State the
growing Of peaches is abandoned in some sec
ti0ns where the land is exceedingly fertile, on
account Of this disease, while in some other
sections. where the land is poor, peaches are
raised without difficulty. In the center of this
State peaches were raised for half century
without any trouble from the yellows; at
present there is danger Of this disease on land
recently cleared, which contains all the orig
inal richness of the soil 1t is also we'll
established fact that the disease can be budded
from one tree TO another j should like to see
this fact explained on any other principle than
that which implies that the cause is a living
thing, and that the germ is thus transferred
from one tree TO another i do not see how
frost can have anything TO do with it. as it did
not make any trouble here for fifty years, when
the climate was about the same as at present.
The idea that this disease is caused by the
bacteria certainly seems very plausible, and
explains more of the observed facts than any
other theory as yet made public. On the other
hand. il seems desirable that the theory con-
tanned in this paper should prove true; for, if
the addition 10 the soil of a few special ele
ments would insure rs against this disease, it
would be a great blessing. In our agriculture
we have reached point where our crops are
vastly increased by the use OF commercial fer
tilizors. but we have yet TO learn that we can
heal the diseases Of our fruit trees by the same
means. One of the leading industries of our
city is the manufacture Of these fertilizers, and
we shall be glad to know that we can effect
uaily prevent the pear blight ana the peach
yeilows by their use That class of diseases
which is caused by parasites in men and ami
mails is now known TO be much larger than was
formerly supposed. For long time the people
vainly tried to find in the soil an explanation
of the potato rot but the microscope proved to
be the only means of solving the mystery. The
same instrument has shown us the true nature
of the rust and smut in wheat which was for so
long time a mystery. So long as the blight and
the yellows can be budded from tree to tree,
and thus extended indefinitely, do not see
how we can avoid the conclusion that they are
caused by living principle
SYRACUSE, N Y. a. NJ. WILLIAMS.
THE CHERRY TREE.
The cultivated cherries are supposed to have
their origin IN two species, the PTtRUS Cerdsus
and PSGsaas 44Uiam. These are found in wild
state IN Europe. North Africa, and some parts
of Asia Some authorities state that they were
originally from Asia, and were introduced into
Europe about the commencement of the Chris
tian era.
From PTUauS CerGSUs are derived what are
known as sour cherries, and from Prltaas drum
such varieties as the Black Heart and the
Bigarreau.
The cherry trees in cultivation vary greatly
in habit and form Of growth, some having very
erect branches, while in others the limbs are
horizontal and pendulous.
The fruit of the cherry is well known and
generally esteemed. The hard feshed sweet
varieties are considered 70 be rather indigesti-
bic and hurtful if eaten in quantities The
soft hcshed varieties are juicy, considerably
scid, with a slight degree of bitterness, and
are considered wholesome The fruit of the
cherry has been put To many uses; its value in
the fresh state, both as desert fruit and for
cooking purposes, is well known. 1t is also
dried, ard preserved in various modes for win
ter Use. In Europe a spirituOus liquor. called
kirschwasser is distilled from the bruised
fruit; when properly made this is said TO be a
pleasant drink, having no acid or empyreu-
matte favor, and is recommended in cases of
indigestion. A similar article is prepared by
mixing honey with the bruised cherries before
fermentation: this is afterwards distilled, and
the liquor called MaEaschino is produced
Incidentally, the fruit Of the soft ieshed
varieties is said to be cephalic and aperient:
an infusion Of the fruit in water is said TO be
very diuretic, and TO have been used with sue
cess in dropsy. The inner bark of the tree
affords good yellow dye and is said 10 be
CCfbdlu "a cuuSliNutt 1OC Inc
gum which exudes from the wounded bark
can be applied TO the same uses as gum arabic,
and is more nutritious as a food. The leaves
contain hydrOcyanic acid, and are used for
favOring liquors and cookery dishes.
The wood Of the cherry tree is firm, close
grained, soft, easily worked, and takes fine
polish. 1t is used for cabinet work, turnery,
and for making musical instruments; casks for
holding wine are made of it, which are said to
improve the favor of the wine kept in them.
Cherry orchards are not SO common as apple
orchards, but most homesteads have few
cherry trees. Some of the varieties are well
adapted for shade trees, thus combining the
useful and the ornamental. The tree thriyes
best on dryish soil. In damp rich soils the
trees viii grow with much vigor for few
years, but are liable TO gummy exudations
from the bark, and early decay; also, should
wet weather prevail when the fruit is about
ripe. much of it viii rot. more especially the
white fruited varieties, and these should always
be planted on grayelly soils in order TO be profit
able.
The dwarf cherry is sometimes planted in
gardens. This is the common cultivated cherry
grated upon the PTgmHs MahaJe5, or perfumed
cherry, a native of the south of Europe. Dwarf
cherries are not SO pronounced as dwarf pears,
as they soon grow up TO large spreading trees.
WEDDING AND HoEING.
Cutting down weeds with the hoe or cultiya-
tor is al once the cheapest and best method of
keeping crops clean. Sometimes in garden
work the weeds may get so far ahead that it is
more expedient TO pull them up than to at
tempt destroying them with the hoe among
delicate crops; but even after wedding the
surface should be boed, SO that the soil NAV
have the benefit of the stirring The more
that the effects Of surface stirring are studied.
the greater is the value Of the process esteem
ed. Plants suffer less in dry seasons when the
soil is frequently cultivated around them. No
rule can be given with regard TO the frequency
OF surface culture, but il is well understood
that, after rains, most good lands become more
or less baked on the surface, and the crust
Should be broken fine as soon as the land is dry
enough for working. The strongest of all rea-
sons Tor frequent disturbance Of the soil is that
OF assisting the formation Of plant food by de-
composition. The great decOmposing influences
OF nature are air and moisture, and by turning
up fresh surfaces to the free action of the air
oxydizaiion goes on and the food of plants is
liberated. The following process, which was
al one time so common, and is not quite obso-
lete even now, derived its value from the addi-
uonai plant food liberated by frequent inyer-
sion OF the soil. The ordinary cutivators or
h0e-harrows are yet imperfect. An implement
whicA will perfectly commute about two
inches OF the surface, leave il perfectly fat
and lightly rolled, would about meet the re-
quirements.
oUTDARwISTNG DARWIN.
We notice a report of some horticultural
meeting 70 this effect
Major Hugh T. Brooks objects TO the com
mon practice found convenient in nurseries of