Middletown transcript., 1895-04-06
THE FARMERS, NEEDS.

Mr.. EDIroR.-Delaware is already q
back number" in horticulture. Live fruit
growers almost everywhere else have aban.
doned the old methods, the "go-as-you.
please" style, and have adopted the modern
methods, taught by experience, by the
pains-taking investigations of specialists in
our Experiment Stations and elsewhere
They spray with the fungicides to banisl,
rot and scab of fruit, and blight and rust
of foliage. They spray with the arsenites,
and various emulsions and decoctions to
kill insect pests, and so successful are these
methods that in some fruit-centers, the un-
sprayed orchard cannot command the at
tention of the buyers. Careful and honest
packing in size and style to fit the market
is also marked advance over Delaware
methods. A glance at the outside, or top
of package should always guarantee the
whole. But these essentials alone, however
faithfully performed by occasional individ-
uals or localities, cannot redeem our waning
horticulture. Infectious diseases Of fruit
trees and fatal insect pests that are easily
and rapidly disseminated, are virtually
public nuisances," and should be 80 de-
clared by law, and efficient measures
should be adopted for the safety of the
horticultural interests of the State.
In those States where Horticulture is recog.
nized as essential TO the public good where
are found the brightest and most active
workers, there is unanimity of sentiment
that the strong arm of the law should
assist. Peach Yellows" laws exist in sew
eral States. In New York, the black knot
of the cherry and plum is declared pub
lie nuisance" and very stringent provis-
ions were enacted for its extirpation, and
with very good results. In Connecticut
where peach yellows is far older than it is
in Delaware, vigorous law has given re-
newed life to peach growing, and Mr.. J. H.
Hale claims to lose but one per cent. of his
trees annually from this disease In Michi
gan, the country that first grew peaches com.
mercially, lacked the backing of public sen
timent to enforce their "yellows" law, and
their orchards went out. Another section
did enforce the law, and has never ceased
to grow peaches with profit. 1t is evident,
Mr.. Editor, in the light of experience, that
with judicious and vigorous law, covering
our entire State, thoroughly enforced and
backed by an intelligent public opinion,
any and all parts of our State can again,
now and forever, grow peaches with profit,
despite the ravages of the yellows. Inas-
much as the marketing of premature fruit
is depressing to the markets and potent
inducement to prolong the life of worth
less and dangerous tree, it should be rigidly
prohibited.
But there appears now, another and |
much more dangerous pest, inasmuch as it |
attacks all kinds of fruit trees, even those |
which our former peach growers are plant
ing so largely. the apple, pear, plum, cher
ry and every other. 1t is the "San Jose |
Scale" which multiplies with great rapidity
and devastates orchards without saying ''by
your leave" Several States have compre-
hensive laws that meet this emergency or
any similar one. If Delaware cannot have
hem, we may as well make clean sweep
Of our orchards, and try to assist our
brother farmers to supply the markets with
wheat, corn, butter, hay and potatoes.
The 'San Jose Scale" has appeared in at
east two of the most prominent nurseries
If New Jersey to their great injury and
oss, and has also been found in at least one
ocality ih this county. The necessity of
,rompt and efficient legislation must be
'pparent. The bill now before the Legisla-
ure ITO Protect and Promote Horticul-
ure' constitutes the three Vice Presidents
f the Peninsula Horticultural Society for
he three counties OF Delaware "a Board of
Horticulture" They are elected annually,
y the fruit-growsrs of Delaware; they
erye without compensation there is Meth
r politics nor Doodle in this plan. 1t is a
areful effort to secure the services of the.
est men, and to provide for unceasing
igilance in guarding the interests of the
and yet giving room for the
xercise of discretion and forbearance in
Increment of the law.
A careful study of the proposed law will
how that it does not involve great, or un-
ecessary expense. that it is sufficiently
areful of individual rights. that it provides
roperly for its certain and faithful execu-
ion, and finally, that there is not hund-
ed in the State that does not need it, both
irectly for ITSELF and indirectly for the
ublic good.
e. II. B.
CAMDEN, DEL, April 2, 1895.