The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-08-05
Through the meadows the mowers tread,



Every tree and vine planted is subjected to
diseases aud the ATTACKS of insects. If all the
varieties of fruit trees were diseased alike
some remedy for prevention could be de-
vised that would be safe F1d viceabie, but
the climate and sol sometimes affect the
conditions and render he methods prac Iced
by fruit-gro vers in one section unsuccessful
in another, thrs calling for different men
agement in different localities. The peach,
which formerly hourished as well in Penn
sylvania and New Jer ~ as in Delaware, has
proved improbable of late years, owing to
the yellOws The bOrer has done great dam
age, but the borer can be prevented
If the trees are carefully watched.
1t has been demon ed that the ye'
lows is tie result of exhaustion OF the
sOil-not that the soil necessarily becomes
sterile, bat that the elements essential to the
healthy growth of the tree and production of
fruit have rot been supplied. As proof of
this fact it may be mentioned that in some
sections of New Jersey the fruit-grOwers are
again giving their attention to peach-grOwing
rs time has enabled the soil TO accumulate
and store up the elements best adapted for
that purpose. The success of the Delaware
peach-grOwers is due to their adoption of all
the advantages necessary 10 success and the
avoidance of the mistakes committed else
where.
Artificial fertilizers have done much to
prevent diseases of fruit trees, as by their use
the growers can supply the needed require
ments in any form and quantity desired of
the essential elements which is not the case
when reliance is placed exclusively upon
barn-yard manure, which, by its decomposi-
tiOn in the soil, sometimes induces the dis
eases which it is sought to prevent. The vel
lows attacks peach trees in any climate, but
singles out those that are impoverished and
of feeble growth, though it is contagious
when brought in contact with healthy trees.
The blight is the great enemy of the pear
tree. II has been found that the disease at
tacks those trees that have been forced too
rapidly in growth, s1d that il will not do to
heavily II anure and cultivate the trees b
fore they begin TO bear, the best conditions
being light grass crop in the orchard,
sisted by artificial fertilizers composed large
~ of potash. Potash is also beneficial to the
peach, and in feet TO all fruits, increasing
the amount of saccharine matter, although
but little potash really enters into the COM
position of the fruit. During the period of
fruitirg, 6.'Ound bone or superphosphate has
proved beneficial, the .rawberry being an
example. While it is essential the trees be
kept in strong, healthy, vigorous growth,
more damage has been done by forcing
them than in any other manner. Expos
ing the surface soil To the heat of
the suns rays in summer is detrimen-
tai, and hence the value of a grass crop in
the pear orchard, which shades the trees, but
such crop must be supplied W tn plant food
to prevent robbery of the orchard. A cheap
and excellent fertilizer is made bv compost
ing mari, lime and old sod, allowing the
mess to reach fine Cordition before apply
ing TO the orchard while stable manure
though combining ali the elements of plant
food, should never be used until thoroughly
decOmposed, the fresh material being TO
heating, as well containing bacterial life
detrimental TO success.
The peach orchard is cultivated differently
from the pear trees. 1t is now claimed that
the same culture given corn answers for the
p. .ch, bI rothing viii avail to win sue ess
unless the trees are carefully pruned and the
borer prevented. There is no rea- on why
the I lch should not flourish outside of
Delaware, as its cultivation recently in New
Jersey demonstrates that many of the OBJ
stacies heretofore encountered are due rather
TO improper mar lgement than to other in
huences