The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-02-09
The Peach Yeliown.
Correspondence of the Republican.

OF tue hepUDiVahs
. DovER, Feb. 8, is93.-A special meet
Ing of the Legislature was held at
2.3H O'Clock this afternoon, for the
purpose OF giving a hearing to dele
CATION from the Kent County Farmers
Institute. and the Fruit Growers Asso-
citation, on the Importance OF some
legislation. that will efrectually stamp
out the yellows in the peach orchards
of this State. Captain Daisey presided,
and the committee, consi sung OF
Messrs Martin, Rosa and Bancroft.
were called upon to present their
views.
John J. Rosa was the first speaker,
and said that to show the Importance
OF this matter he would state that in
Milford Hundred alone there are 2T5
0J0 peach trees, 300. 600 OF which are IN
bearing condition. 1t was there fore
absolutely necessary that some means
shsuld be adopted for tho preserva-
| ton OF this vast industry. which
brings 80 much money into this
| State.
lit Michigan the yellows have been
effectually stamped out by stringent
| legislation lie understood that there
is movement on foot to repeal the
| present law in relation to this disease,
but instead of repeating 1t should he
added to and made more stringent.
| This disease has caused depression
| in the value of property In this PENN
suia which will continue as long as
the disease lasts. Mr.. Rosa read sev-
| eral amendments to the present law
| which he asked should be passed. one
of which places the entire matter in
the hands OF one commissioner in
stead Of three, and empowers him Il
act without being called upon.
Colonel Martin said that he did moi
think Mr.. Rosa had magniiied the I'M
purtanee of this matter and FULLY in
dorsed what he had said.
1t Is well known that the price Of
property in this State has declined. il
proportion to the decrease i'll the price
of produce, aud it is stated that this
has been caused by an abundance but
it is not SO IN relation to peach crops
We remomDer when Middletuwn
WAS the great centre for peaches IL
til 4 state and men have made money
enoHgh in one year to buy a farm
But row 1t IL changed, and it has gon,
out all over the country that Delaware
peaches are diseased. Ono man had
Thousand trees and said hs would Civ,
III basket for every healthy baske
OF fruir. The nursery business of TIN
peninsula worth $1,000 900 yea
Is nearly destl Dyed. California has
map of the Delaware peninsul
marked black. and not Il tree iron
/ here can BIZ sold In that State.
Trees nave been sent them AM
b irned. Peach yellows is not a new dis
| Ease but has existed in some parts o
the country for 100 years. Tho nation
al government soma ten years age
, appropriated $75 900 to investigat
the yellows and MIR. Smith was ap
f. pointed. He came to this state, uset
j the best appliances, but ho failed t
. | tiad the cause or cure, and only on
II thing remained. to destroy the tree;
| and thus stamp out the DISEASE. lis
4 ease can be eradicat3d the Same as i
Michigan. if Same laws arc enacted.
There is no land in this country thG
can OF do9s grow as line peaches d
i: this Peninsula He thought therefor
the growers should have protoctio
c -irom the Legislature. The fact thl
! peaches could be grown on this Penil
/ sula gave this State a boom that hG
~ since been destroyed by the yellows.
* l.. +. Bancroft said that he had hear
/ about the proposed repeal oil the Law
II hut as no did not know on VIII;
y grounds he was at disadvant ige, al
y 'ouid only reitrrate the aFsumen
" made in favor of the passage of
:, stringent law. The prasent law is NJ
O. / GuLlCttlllt t5 Llltttt 10 u ltl tttlplHtll
his near alnden, from whlcn the di
n casod trees have not been rem owe
~ The growers ask protection from u
Legislature, the subject is too il
portunt to he tritled with.
Mr.. Melvin said that some sugge
tious uad been made at Institute
make it Il matter TOR Tho grand iur
In South Nurderkill hundred til,
were not satisfied with eotnmissioug
and said, either do away withcomr!l
sioner or tho laws.
Mr. Case said he lives in that -
I. dred and is the commissioner b
T. never heard any fault except from Il
gentleman who had just spoken al
" another.
MIR. Rosa and Colonel Martin aga
+" urged the passage OF strict law a
y" the meeting adjourned.