Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-05-10
FRUIT TREE DISEASES.



What Artificial Fert; iixer. WIN Do To-
ward Their Prevention.
Every tree and vine planted is sub
jected to disease and the attacks of in
sects. If all the varieties of fruit trees
were diseased alike some remedy fol-
prevention could be devised that would
be safe and serviceable. but the climate
and soil sometimes affect the cOndi-
tons and render the methods practiced
by fruit-growers in one section unsuc-
cessful in another. thus calling for diff
ferent management in different local
tiles. The peach. which formerly flour.
ished as well in Pennsylvania and New
Jersey as in Delaware, has proved I'M
profitable of late years. owing to the
yellOws. Tie borer has done great
damage. but the bOrer can be prevent
ed if the trees are carefully watched.
1t has been demonstrated that the yell
lows is the result of exhaustion of the
soil-not that the soil necessarily be-
comes sterile, but the elements essen
tial to the healthy growth of the tree
and production of fruit have not been
supplied. As proof of this fact it
may be mentioned that in some sec
tons of New Jersey the fruit growers
are again giving their attention to
peach growing. as time has enabled the
soil to accumulate and store up the
elements best adapted for that pur-
pose. The success of the Delaware
peach growers is due to their adoption
of all the advantages necessary to sue
cess, and the avoidance of mistakes
committed elsewhere.
Artificial fertilizers have done much
to prevent diseases of fruit trees, as Ey
their use the growers can supply the
needed requirements in any form and
quantity desired of the essential ele-
ments, which is not the case when re-
lance is placed exclusively upon barn
yard manure. which. by its decompo-
sition in the soil, sometimes induces
the disease which it is sought to pre-
vent. The yellows attack peace 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. 1t has been found that the
diseased attacks those trees that
have been forced too rapidly if growth.
and that it will not do to heavily
manure and cultivate the trees before
they begin to bear. the best conditions
being light grass crop in the orchard.
assisted by artificial fertilizers COM
posed largely OF potash. Potash is also
beneficial 20 the peach, and in fact to
all fruits. increasing the amount of
saccharine matter. although but little
potash really enters into the compost.
ton of the fruit.
During the period of fruiting ground
bone or superphosphate has proved
beneficial. the trawberry being an ex-
ample. While it is essential that the
trees be kept in strong. healthy. Wig
orous growth. more damage has been
done by forcing them than in any
other manner. Exposing the surface
soil to the heat of the suns rays in
summer is detrimental. and hence the
value Of a grass crop in the pear or
chard. which shades the trees. but
such crop must be supplied with plant
food to prevent robbery of the orchard.
A cheap and excellent fertilizer is made
by composing mari, lime and old sod,
allowing the mass to reaeh fine con-
dition before applying to the orchard.
while stable manure. though combin-
ing all the elements of plant food.
should never be used until thoroughly
decomposed, the fresh material being
too heating, as we'll as containing bac-
terial life detrimental to succe:s
The peach orchard is cultivated diff
fcrently from the pear trees. 1t is now
claimed that the same culture given
corn answers for the peach. but moth
ing will avail to win success unless the
trees are carefully pruned and the
borer prevented. There is no reason
why the peach should not flourish out
side of Delaware. as its cultivation re.
Gently in New Jersey demonstrates
that many of the obstacles heretofore
are due rather to improp-
err management than to other infll-