The herald., 1894-08-19
NOTES ABOUT THE RANCHES,
Typical Facts About Southern
California Farms.
Some Good Advice as to Peaches and
Potash.
How to Ovsrcoms Drought-Dsfectivo o
Trec Pruning-A Long List
of Productions.
Notes.

| Ono Of the bright witted correspond
ents of the Country Gentleman, who
lives in New Jersey, writes the follow
ing letter, which is full of suggestive
ness to those peach growers in this state
whose orchards are not bearing as we'll
as they should:
Mr.. Smith, who has been detailed by
the agricultural department for num-
Der OF years to investigate the cause OF
the so-callod ''yellows" in peach trees
and 20 advise a remedy has, after years
OF practical work. given up in despair.
That the disease is accompanied by O
| multitude of bacterial forms is evident.
bat that any of these 'ganlsms are the
direct cauee OF the disease has not been
proven. No remedy has yet been
found for tree really attacked by
the yellows, and the ak and the fine
cav seem the only means OF checking
1t. But in oil the peach.growlng dis
trlct there sre thousands OF unhealthy,
yellow looking trees; that are assumed
to have the disease. But their condition
is really due to the ravages OF the root
aphis or to the exhaustion of the coil or
elements needed for the euccessiul
growth of trees. Now, in all OF our coast
country the great lack of the old culti-
waited soils, and in fact, of all our cosnt
soil, is potash.
Il 10 we'll known that all fruit trees
are large consumers of potash, and when
by their continued growth they have
drawn heavily upon the supply, al
ready ecanty, in these light soils, the
trees suffer from the lack, and tho
careless observer at once says, "yel-
lows" while really the trouble is star-
walton. Now, it is also we'll known
that trees and plants OF any kind
when in the weakened growth are
more readily attacked by insects. And
when the millione OF root aphis
begin to feed upon the roots Of the
already weakened tree and it gets vel.
low and dies the folks who cannot dag
nose disease correctly say it is sure
case of "yellows." Now, while lib
eral use OF potash may not check gen.
uine case of yellows, it is certain that
dressings of kRinit or muriate OF potash
will bring into thrifty growth thousands
Of yellow, sickly trees that are only be-
ing starved, and will put them in con-
dition to resist the insect attacks, or
oven to resist the real disease.
That soil conditions have good deal
to do with the peach yellows is evident.
Several years ago when at the Univer-
sity of Illinoes, Prof. Burrill showed me
tree which he had brought from New
Jersey, with all the evidences Of an ad-
vanced stage of yelows. saw 1t in the
autumn after it had been one summer
planted in the rich prairie soil. 1t had
started a staunch and healthy growth.
instead of the wiry twigs on il when
it came. and was evidently growing
out Of it. Prof. Burrill showed me q
lot OF healthy peach trees which he said
he had vainly tried to inoculate from
the diseased tree. But the disease
would not 90 on in the soil. OF course
l know 1T is en- old story that potash
will cure diseased tree, but am more
and more convinced that there would
be less of yellows if kainit were freely
used upon peach orchards. 1t may not
cure a diseased tree, but a plentiful
supply of potash will keep the tree in
such robust health that that disease
will have little chance st them.