Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-08-08

| "cOA WOuiN bdEO W UC uSCN w LIZA u n Oit'
Inequalities of the tree, for there are gen
orally valleys or fute-like cutters il
large orange trunks.
As regards the disease, which is killing
our grape vines in some localities, is the
more annoying, as no satisfactory reason
can be given which accounts for it. Dig
up vine which has died, and the bark
and wood, both in the roots and top ol
the vine, are entirely free from imperfec
tions or marks, no insect, no decay, in
fact, no occult reason can be given.
Professor Morse. of the University. who
was sent for to make examination, found
nothing, and gave it as his belief that it
was caused by violent changes of tenn
perature, very hot time of weather fol-
lowing cold, foggy time, thus causing
an exhau sting of the stock of the
plant, faster than it was pre-
pared for. There would be some
plausibility about this, were it not
a fact that we have never had such
trouble for over hundred years. 1t
might be possible to believe that one
such accidental year might come where
the change from cold to hot were excep-
tional, and thus have this trouble for
that one year, but the trouble about this
matter is that this condition of the vines
dying is repeating itself with each COM
ing year, and it has now repeated itself
for, say five years, and each succeeding
year the damage has increased more each
time. 1t is not, therefore, an accident
that has come about for one year, but
one that repeats itself every year for the
last five years. Now, this would not
likely be the case, nor can it be be-
lieved that this one year has planted this
disease and time completed the harm
done, for it is fact that Anaheim was
affected first, followed by, perhaps, a
year after, by Santa Ana, and subsequent
to that time it has made its appearance
in San Gabriel Valley.
have studied over this matter much
and tried to form some theory why this
is. There is one circumstance which
may possibly explain this singular phe-
nomenon, namely: Too early pruning.
In years previous to the appearance of
this disease pruning was never done until
the vine had shed all its leaves. At
Anaheim 1 first saw pruning done as
soon almost as the grape crop was gath
cred, and even as early as October. 1t
being convenient, too followed in the
practice and others again followed me,
and with no immediate evil effect.
1t is true vines thus early pruned
were the last to bud out the
following spring, but as there was
no enfeebled condition of growth, when
the vines did start, it was condition of
affairs to be desired, for it made less risk
to the crop of grapes by being overtaken
by late frost. Yet that there was an
effect was clearly shown by the lateness
of the vine putting forth their new
growth. Again. Anaheim was the first
to practice early pruning, and was the
first to suffer from the vines dying. Santa
Ana would naturally, being adjoining,
be the next to follow the practice and
was next affected. Sunny Slope. my
former home, was the first to suffer in
the San Gabriel Valley, and was the first |
to practice the early pruning. All these |
facts may be only coincidents, and may
not be the cause for accounting for this |
disease, yet when no satisfactory reason
has ever been given, it may be we'll to
postpone this early pruning and 60 back |
to the late pruning as was practiced in
former years and until all the leaves
have naturally been shed by maturity.
To prune in October and November,
nearly all the leaves are yet held fast
and many of the ends of shoots are yet
making feeble growth. 1t is, of course,
a we'll known fact, that the stripping
the leaves of the most robust growth of
any tree or plant if often enough re-
peated will kill such tree or plant. 1t is
true, in October and November leaves of |
the vine have naturally performed their
duty, and the wood is hard, yet it |
may be after all that, this early |
pruning followed for a few years,
in the end tells on the life and
health Of vine, and has the same
effect, only more slowly and less
apparent than the stripping the new
leaves has an immediate effect on all
plant life. 1t would be a pleasure to
give in detail the various exhibits on ex-
hibition, but l have been unwell, and it |
has only been by great effort that
have prepared this short paper. If,
however, there has been a suggestion |
made, which may be benefit to orange |
or grape culture, then the effort will not |
have been in vain.
Thanking you for your attention and |
hoping the future may be increasing in
its prosperity in the same ratio as it has
from the beginning to now, and that we
may all often yet meet in the future to
enjoy this increased prosperity.
90 TIE ILLUSTRATED HERALD is now
on hand at this office and for sale at the |
extremely low price of Is cents each, or