Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-05-04
GENERALLY GOOD OUTLOOK FOR
FRUITS.

Seasonable weather the last few days
has brought further growth and develop
ment iu fruit orchards. Advices to the
Homestead from specialists, state horti-
culturists, and commercial orchardists,
brought down to the latest possible date,
show general health In peach and apple
orchards, and the prospect continues for
q fair crop, although the middle and
northern states are by no means out Of
the way OF frost. The famous Georgia
peach belt suffered through several weeks
Of hard rain which blasted the later
bloom and rotted the small peaches al
ready formed. Around Fort Valley,
while reports are somewhat contradic-
tory. indications point to sharp damage,
particularly to the Elberta peach. The
promising peach sections Of Saluda and
Aiken Counties, s. c., will probably ship
a large quantity OF fruit, many young
orchards coming into bearing this sea-
son; some damage through cold weather,
and much fruit already formed will fall
of. Outlook in eastern Tennessee gen.
orally fair, although some damage to
peaches on low ground.
New England does not expect full
crop Of apples this year, although Or
chards have come through the winter In
good shape. Professor Maynard OF Am
herst, who Is also secretary OF the Mas
saehusetts fruit growers association,
writes the Homestead that trees in many
orchards made more than the usual
amount of growth under especially IA
vorsble weather, and that while the crop
may be short this years trees should
Improve rapidly for good yield next
year. Peaches will do fairly well on
high ground in middle New England:
prospects at this date fairly good for
pears and small fruits, while plum trees
have suffered some injury. The Connec-
ticut peach crop Ia not uniformly PROM
isiug, buds being killed In many sections,
particularly on low lands. On the more
hily ground in the southwestern parts OF
the state outlook is better, with probably
q fair yield, providing no further injury
comes.
The great peach growing belt OF the
peninsula and middle states promises
liberal Weld, although there is still
plenty of time for accidents, including
belated frosts. Horticulturist Robinson
of the Maryland experiment station
writes peaches bloooming earlier than
usual with plentiful promise. In New
Jersey outlook for peach crop very
coed, some varieties In better condition
than Others; late Crawfords are Injured
10 some extent, Silway buds are almost
entirely destroyed, Ford's late white and
keyport white are uninjured. Apple
trees AZ present in excellent shape. The
winter evidently dealt gently with Penn
Svlysnil fruit orchards; Prof. Butz of the
experiment station writes us that in the
college orchard, which Is largely one OF
varieties. nearly every one promises
well. The peach outlook In Ohio IL dubi-
Gus. except In the southern counties. and
shipments will probably be light; Horti-
culturist Green Of the experiment sta
tion writes plums also greatly injured,
together with some varieties Of cherries,
blsckberries and grapes, while prospects
good for other fruits, including apples.
Usually at the forefront as producer,
New York has a rich promise at this ear
lv date OF good yield Of most kinds OF
fruit, barring some exceptions. rest
season l. generally expected In spple or
chords, although some kinds, Including
Golden Rpssets, Pippins snd Wealthy,
give promise ot fair Yields. Blossom
buds on Baldwins and Greetings are
scarce in nearly all parts OF the state.
Peaches. pears, plums aud cherries came
through the winter in good shape, giving
promise of fairly liberal yields so far as
bloom goes, but cold rain storms are
liable 10 work disaster, particularly In
hence forecast AZ this early
date Is rather uncertain. Fruit trees
Welding indiferently last year, at the
same time de strong and healthy
growth. which NAV tell in the fruitsge
this season. La the western part OF the
state, from Wayne and Ontario Counties
10 the Niagara River and Lake Erie,
fruit growers are generally encouraged.
not expecting many apples.
Fruit trees on the southern shore OF Lake
Ontario are Ia excellent condition, meas
urSbly free from insects or fungous dis
eases, except in section In the central
portion OF Wayne and Orleans Counties,
where the csnker worm has become
thoroughly established Peach buds
we're seriously damaged BY cold weather,
but not completely destroyed as at first
thought, and may make n light crop. In
the Chautauqua grape belt the outlook
Is promising for nearly all kinds OF fruit
except apples.
Michigsn's peach crop is important,
not only 10 the growers represented, but
also 10 the markets OF Chicago and the
west generally. While some injury has
beon done, particularly in orchards dis
tant from the lake, aud In the central
and southern part Of the state. the peach
growing sections in the main promise
fairly well. State Horticulturist Taft
writes, that from appearances in early
April the product will be IS 10 so per
cent OF a full crop. Owing 10 large
Yields the past two years the vitality OF
the trees has been impaired. Further
west and southwest fruit orchards are 10
generally healthy condition, one OF the
leading fruit growers OF Wisconsin re-
porting outlook in that state generally,
the best in ten years. Prof. Budd Of the
Iowa agricultural college reports apple
and cherry trees in good condition, while
Horticulturist Whitten Of the Missouri
college points 10 considerable loss in
peach buds, particularly in the north
western part OF the state, with good
outlook elsewhere and bright promise
for apples and plums.-New England
Homestead.
PLANT A SHADE TREE.