Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-12-03
DR.. Claypole of Buchtell College, Ak
ron, O., Makes Some Suggestions
Concerning Care of Fruit Trees.
GOOD REMEDIES FOR CODDLlNG MOTH
Characteristics and Habits of Plum
Weevil-Quality of Fruit Raised in
Territory Great Recommends
ton In Market.
Editor New Mexican.


connected with the territory, we're it not
that do 30 by request. But being in-
terested in some of the undertakings that
are now on foot especially in the growth
and culture of fruit trees, and having
been asked to state for the New MEXICAN
how the present condition of this in
dustry in the southwest strikes stranger
and how it compares with the same pur-
suit in other parts of the country, | have
pleasure in complying.
Having been for many years resident
in northern Ohio and member of some
of the horticultural societies of the state,
| have had opportunities, both practical
ly and by observation, of knowing what
is done or can be done in that state, and
my remarks must be understood to refer
to it mainly or altogether. Different
modify their accuracy.
Before coming to New Mexico l was
quite unaware that the growth of fruit on
large scale had been even attempted.
My ideas of the climate were in 80 far
correct that l knew almost everything
that was cultivated, depended on irrige-
tion, and that immense crops of alfalfa
and of some kinds of vegetables were
raised in this manner. But that the prac-
tioe of irrigation had been extended to
the culture Of fruit trees, l was not
aware. Nor, considering its regency, is
this at all surprising. Progress is in
these days so rapid that without visiting
or especially studying region ones
knowledge of it very soon falls into ar
rears.
At Las Vegas first saw Indications of
what was coming and learned from some
undertaking. But not until came to
Santa Fe did really see the serious,
earnest work that lie being done here in
New Mexico In raising fruit. The young
and thrifty orchards around and in the
city were revelation. And the nature
of the thousands of acres of suitable land
that only wait for water to 'go and do
likewise" was equally surprising. The
deep, red, felspathic coil, the ruins of
thousands of feet worn from the once
loftier Rocky mountains by the weather
and the sun during untold ages, furnishes
store of plant food equal to, or better
than that of the strong red sandstone soil
of the famous apple countries of England,
At present, too, the orchards are free from
some of the most banetul insect pests
that take the profit from fruit growers in
the older states. The trees are yet young
and coming into their prime. But they
show little indication of anythiug but a
condition of high health and vigor.
was too late to see much fruit on the
trees. l saw much of it in the houses,
that is l say such fruit as apples, pears,
plume, ounce, etc. The smaller fruits
we're of course all gone. Two or three
special points have struck me in passing
through the orchards and fruit houses
which may be of sufficient interest to
state here.
The worst enemy that have seen in
the apple here is the oodling moth or ap-
pie worm and it would be wise if the
growers we're to adopt precautions against
it's spread now that it is too late to pre-
vent its Introduction. The usual plan of
tying bands around the trunks during the
summer is good but these baLds must be
taken off every fortnight and dipped in
scalding water or, better still, run through
a wringer to make the device useful.
Here also the trunks of the trees are SO
smooth for the most part that it is i'm
possible for worms to shelter under
the scales of the dead bark as they do
when the trunks are rough. This frequent
removal of the bands is often neglected
in consequence of the labor involved and
so the whole business is lost-lndeed a
very convenient lodgment is thus kindly
provided for carpOcdpsa during the time
needed for passing through the chrysalis
stage-the most dangerous period of it's
life.
Effective remedies are the following:
Keeping fowls, sheep or cattle, or even
hogs, though these are otherwise objec
tionable in the orchard; picking up the
faulty fruit daily and if no use can be
made of it, burying it deeply, spraying
the trees when just out of bloom with
poisonous liquids and in general destroy
ing all shelters and hiding places for the
larvae.
Further than this great care should be
shown in dealing with barrels and cellars
in fruit-houses. Every old barrel should
be dipped for few minutes In tank of
boiling water before spring comes on, or
if bought later as soon az it is bought.
Thousands of larvae hide in the corners
and under the hoops of the barrels and
are then carried about the country and
introduced into new places and among
new trees. Cellars and houses in which
apples, etc., are stored should be closed
before spring and kept tightly closed till
after midsummer for thousands more of
the larvae are sheltered in them and sally
forth in early summer to the orchards if