The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-11-30
Horticulture.
By Rev. N. Schultz in Texas stockman

By Rev. N. Schultz In Texas Stockman
"A California orchardist has sue
ceeded in raising olives by grating
them upon the willow. A similar eX.
pertinent might be successfully tried
in Southern Texas.
AS to fungus, wherever they are
found l believe that they are an effect
rather than a cause. For instance,
where they grow upon tree they in
dictate that there is rotten spot. By
destroying the fungus one does not
destroy that spot, but fungus will
grow again until the conditions are
removed.
Japan persimmons are very de-
licious, but the trees as rule are eX-
pensive and as yet they are merely an
experiment in Texas. One of the lead
ing nurseryman of the state, who ex-
periments q great deal, took me
through his persimmon orchard and
what might be called a success.
In order to change the colors of
some varieties of cactiHt is merely nee.
essary to put certain ingredients into
the soil, as for instance lime or iron.
The melo castus for instance, if it
grows in iron soil assumes a dark green
color, varying with red, while if
planted in limestone it is sometimes
snow white. What beautiful vari-
gated beds one can thus make out of
cacti after the art of growing them
becomes to be better understood.
"A friend of this paper suggests to
me that the cause of peach root rot is
frequently due to fungus. Upon in.
vestigation he has discovered growth
of fungus in such spots of soil where
trees and plants repeatedly die, and as
proof he says that such spots con-
tinucusly enlarge. AS cure he sug-
gests that the soil be turned over FREE
quently to the depth OF IS inches espe-
cially in dry seasons, and if possible
brush and straw be burned over it to
destroy tine fungus, then manure well
to supply vegetable matter. l have lit
tie doubt that the theory is correct
one. Peach trees nevertheless suffer
more from too much moisture-where
it remains standing without drainage
than from any other cause.
1t will soon be time for tree plant
ing. In our latitude it is preferable to
plant trees in autumn. because the
roots will at once begin to callas over
so that the tree will start out vigorous
ly next spring. The top of the tree to
be planted should always be trimmed
down so that it contains less wood than
the amount of root, and wherever a
root has been injured it should be cut
off. as il is easier for tree to send out
a. few fibrous roots than it is to repair
grave injuries. Where roots have been
cut down care should be taken that the
outer ends are cut smooth, in order
that it NAV callas better, and not give
opportunity for useless fragments to
decay and thus to affect the healthy
There are but few varieties of plum
trees which can be profitably grated
upon their own seeding roots. Plums
are bad about shooting up from the
roots in every direction, and instead OF
getting plum orchard as expected IL
turns out thorny thicket. There are
a few exceptions to the rule and some
nurserymen graft plums upon the
Chickesaw stock. The best method
for grating plums is to use peacn
stock. The vigorous growth OF the
peach root is very helpful to the devel-
opment of the tree. Peach roots are
the pest for grating any kind OF stone
fruits. because in the first place they
do not sprout away from the stalk,
and secondly, they are vigorous grow
ers If tree is grated upon a tree
weaker than itself it is larger above
the root than at the root, and there
fore has but little support. cherries,
apricots, almonds and nectarines are
also advantageously grated upon
peach stock.