Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1899-04-28

Injury to Mtssouri Orchards
The secretary OF the Missouri State
horticultural Society sends out the
following:
realize that the general impression
OF our people and OF our newspapers,
10 that the reports made about the loss
OF the fruit crop and injury to the
trees are far overdrawn, but such is
not usually the case. On the con-
trary they are usually under estimated.
and oftentimes the injury is much more
serious than reported, instead OF less
The great and widespread damage by
the freeze of February Is not by any
means over-estimated, as the reports
from five hundred inquiries fully tes-
thy There never has been such seri-
Gus results from any cold winter as
this one, during the history of fruit
growing In Missouri. and now the
question comes to every one OF US
more important even than the fruit
What to do with the treesY'
The Intensity OF the cold does not
seem to have been most severe in
the northern part OF the state, for in
many instances the reports show a
lower degree in the southern part.
When we consider that 25 degrees to
80 degrees below. means a freezing of
the life out Of many of our trees and
causing the bark and even the bodies
to burst. we may be sure of serious
damage. This has been the case in
this instance.
The peach buds are very nearly all
killed. and we will likely have very
few. II any, peaches in the state.
Worse than this. the trees are badly
injured. The freeze has discolored
the wood and these trees should be cut
back severely II old trees. cut back
to stubs about six or eight feet high.
II young trees, cut so as to leave
stubs of branches about six or eight
inches long. In other words, de-horn
the trees. II the trees have bursted
slightly then cut on the bursted bark
and cover with grating wax. II the
bark has loosened all around the tree,
or 30 far around that it cannot re-
cover, then cut the tree off at the
ground and let sprout grow and
make new tree.
The pear buds are also badly in
1ured and we can expect only partial
crop OF pears at best. Many of the
pear trees are damaged and they
should be cut back not quite so Sc
verely as the peach.
The plum buds-Japan variety-are
about all killed. and the trees injured |
In some Instances as badly as the |
peach. Treat them the same as the |
peach. Other plums, of the Wild Goose
type, are all right for a crop Of plums.
The cherry buds OF the Morello va
riety like the Ely. Richmond, are in
good condition for crop of fruit, and
tho trees are very slightly injured.
Some OF the Duke varieties are In
ured and nearly all the Heart varie-
les.
Tho apple buds-only the tender va
'ieties are killed. but most of the
hardy varieties are still In good shape
or crop OF apples. In many locali-
les, however, the trees themselves are
'adly damaged. caused by the rupture
4 the bark. and sometimes the tree
tself. II this bursting of the bark
. such that the bark is loose all
round the tree. then the tree had bet
or be cut down to the ground, or to
he snow line. and sprout trained
Or new tree. II 1t be only slightly
inch or SO wide-then cut
n the loose bark, cover the part with
rafting wax and then cut back the
op Of the tree. though not quite SO
everely as the peach. If the wood is
imply discolored. then a severe top
running will be sufficient and they will
cry likely recover. 1T is astonishing
ow quickly some OF these trees will
scover II they are cut back enough
, that the sap can reach the branches
efore 1t becomes sour. as 1t must do,
II has to go to the tips of the limbs .
hen cut on.
The strawberry crop is not material
damaged because they are usually
ell mulched.
The raspberry crop will be short
lily one-half The canes have been
idly killed In many localities, and
here such is the case they had better
| be cut OF close to the ground and 9
lrned up.
The blackberry crop will be short =
ly about one-fourth among our (.
'rdy varieties. When they are killed
eat the same as the raspberry.
Tho grape crop will still be good. y
ly excepting some of the tender va Y
tiles.
II there ever was time when the
lit grower could hsve general a.
'aning up in nearly all parts OF the /.
chard and garden. then this year is b