Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-04-11
penen yello.ss nnd wood A.hn..

IIdib0T UdseGL6 ana J0nTRd5: Prof. II. 4.
Smiths special report TO the department
OF agriculture is calculated to make nm
erroneous impression and lead TO 3 false
infsrence in regard to the use of fertil-
i2ers OF other applications in the onltiva.
ton OF peach trees. as nearly all growers
admit that the "peach yellowsn are iu-
durable and 90 degree at least oonta.
gious. II the reGder will draw the dis
tinctiOn between cure, as given in the
report, and prevent, as undeIslood by the
growers, the erroneous impression re
terred to will be readily understood.
There are diseases which doctors pro-
nounce incurRble, but which may be pre-.
vented and even il contracted, life and
usefulness may be prolonged by judicious
timely treatment. Experience long ago
proved that good ashes applied to peach
trees or Incorporated in the soil where
grown tended to prolopg lie aud pro.
duotiveness and before the use of coal as
fuel became general, wood ashes were
extensively used as fertilizer for peach
trees. Their scarcity, however, neeessi
tated the use of other applications and
various we're the experiments to find a
suitable substitute. As IN analygis of
wood ashes shows the chemical iupredi-
ents to be phosphoric acid and potash,
and as these are easily obtainable from
other sources, fertilizer containing
these in the proportion OF ashes is
deemed by many growers as the best ap
| pilcation for trees, not as a curative for
yellows, but as an invigoretor and, to an
| extent at least as q preventive. Some
growers hold to the opinion thst com-
| position 3ntaiIiing the chemical coustit-
J uents Of won1 ashes anplia3 in snfiriant
I quantity would entirely prevent the ~.
4 a-su4e aas epfetb6 % allGdH, is auy
- r4~p~.sa ~ 49, y sbas :. wvuia nvl .
Several years ago this writer while visit
ing in Bethlehem, Pa, was shown 40 a
curiosity thrae large vigorous old peach
trees in yard or suall lot so lsdened
with ripening fruit that the limbs had to
be supported to prevent breaking. The
other nine trees originally forming part Of
the orchard having died years previous,
presumably Of yellows. Investigation
developed the fact that the site had once
been occupied as bakery, the ashes
from which had been thrown into this
particular locality previous to being
carted away, The late John Perkins OF Nor
flstown related 10 me having witnessed q
~ lIl@t oesutEehce IN Satnaen N. j. Hon.
y. y. miners OF Dover told me that in
visiting tue lowsr Virginia counties some
yesss sgo ne saw standing near an old
mousse healthy peach tree nearly as large
as an ordinary sized apple tree, nea,
which wusthaaccumulating ash pile to be
ieit % grow until corn and potato plant
ing the companion trees OF which had
long since departed. There is evidence
men, that the age, strength, vitality and
aeelth q peach tree may be preserved
aan prolonged years4atter the ordinary
petsoa OF decay and failure. Theto arc
Also, known ingredients the application
OF which has produced these results. II
then, the age, vitality aud produo;ivenes
Of trees can be increased BY the applica
tlou Of necessary stimulant, the CON
nihation and quantity to be scisn
tlceally AND expeEimentally deter
mined ! submit that science shout.
be invoked IN the aid to preserve tn
trees rather than ~ devise plans for thei
determination. IL is not, therefore, q
much aqueRtlon Of cure aa one of pre-
VahAcu, the practical consideration o
winch IS not 80 much as TO the means t
. Re used, but whether the ends TO b
accomplished would Justify the cost. Il
fat the use Of different applications j
80 CaSLoL - IN "a t4+9 eApsElGt olt