Mexico Missouri message., 1900-01-18
horticultural Observations,

horticultural Observations,
There seems to be no good reason
why this country should not become
noted for its production OF dates. TIE
date palm in Africa is a wonderful
tree. 1t is wonderful because 1t seems
particularly adapted to grow in re-
gion where the conditions are such
hat most other valuable trees refuse
TO live at all. 1t will stand torrid heat
and thrive in it. 1t will feed on alkali
water and bring forth rich harvests.
We have the torrid heat in some Of
our southern valleys. particularly In
Arizona. There Is also the condition
Of moisture supply. The alkali water
has been thing that has prevented
us from availing ourselves OF the
farming regions in that part OF the
country. In Africa the Arabs frequent
ly dig pit 20 or 30 feet deep and
plant their date palms in the bottom,
so that their trees can dip their feet
In the waters of the earth and warm
their heads in the fires OF heaven" On
our western plains both of these con-
dtions may be found. The date palm
VIII stand l6 degrees below freezing
without being injured, and this degree
of cold is more than it will be neces-
sary to provide for in the valleys of
Arizona.
The British sy stem OF growing
grapes in greenhouses Is obtaining
something Of hold in this country.
In England the grapes have been so
grown for generations. Of course to
make 1t profitable the prices for the
truit have to be far beyond what or
binary people can afford to pay, and
so 1t is no unusual thing to hear about
such grapes selling at 81 per pound,
and In rare instances the prices have
gone up to SO per pound. In this coun-
try the industry Is confined to the East
and especially New York. we predict
that the industry in the hands of
Americans will assume greater pro-
portions than 1t has ever assumed in
England. with n corresponding fall in
prices. The Americans will set their
brains to work and will find out ways
to reduce the cost OF building the
houses necessary and also the cost of
heating them. Favorable locations
VIII also be found where the natural
conditions of heat and sunshine are
the best, and this will mean reduc-
ton of the fuel bill. Perhaps among
the mountains in our coal regions will
be found locations especially adapted to
this business. The late inventions that
promise to make coal dust and screen
ings available at a low price will
doubtless be a factor in the case.
The question OF tree protection in
the winter Is one that Is largely I'M
solved. At every horticultural con-
vention that the writer attends it is
live subject. and great variety of
opinions are brought to the surface
The discussion runs along the line OF
experience, that is, each man argues
by reporting his own experience in
protecting trees. This shows that the
subject is not fully understood, that
the laws that control the effectiveness
of winter protection are not get I'M
derstood. Recently it has Dcen re-
ported that during the last winter
many trees suffered that had been pro-
;ected by wood veneerng. The bark
died under the covering. Now savants
are asking why. Some suggest that it
may have been due to the space filling
up with water that frO2e and remained
so till spring Others think that it
might have been due to the nCn-ripen-
ing of the wood under the veneerlng
Evidently it will take a long course of
experimentation scientifically con-
Quoted to arrive at the cause of sue
cess and failure in protecting trees.