The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-09-03

from wormy apples and the early
falling of leaves from rust can be
avoided by the prompt and intelli-
gent application of spraying mix
lures.
This section is not we'll fitted for
the raising Of winter apples, but the
summer varieties, as the Yellow
Transparent and others, may be
grown if given attention.
THE MIDDLE SECTION.
localities inspected-Raleigh, Dur
ham, HiIJsbOrO, Burlington, KeT-
nersUiJLe and WtnstOn).
In this region the apple is o ex-
tensively grown than in the east. As
it has not been in cultivation here
so long, it does not yet suffer so
badly from it's enemies, but these II
growing worse every year, and if
the growers do not begin TO fight
them vigorously the industry here
will soon be at the same disadvan.
tage that it now is in then East. A
inspection of this region has fully
convinced MT of this fact.
Here apples are grown somewhat
in excess of domestic needs and
many farmers do a small canning or
dairying business, selling the product
in any of the nearby local markets
and realizing q paying profit. Very
few apples + shipped to the North
ern markets. The orchard is usually
allowed TO go to sod and is pastured.
In many cases the trees stand in the
gardens and are cultivated, and one
can easily see that these trees make
a much finer growth and produce
more fruit and of better quality. In
this section many of the farmers
prune their trees, but the other three
essential operations T neglected.
The soil is naturally somewhat bet
ter for apples than in the east, and
hence the trees have been able to
stand more neglect, but if this con-
tinues it will not be long before
these orchards will begin TO die out,
and, indeed, signs of this decline are
not wanting at the present time.
Many trees are seen with dying
branches and unhealthy foliage. The
borers which attack the body of the
tree at the ground are doing consid-
cradle damage in this section. Trees
should be examined for these worms
and they should be killed when
found. The best eason for this
work is very early spring. Trees
may be protected by placing a wire
netting around the trunk, tying it
close TO the tree at the top and hill
ing up against it at the bottom. The
netting should not be wrapped close
TO the trunk except where tied at
the top. This will prevent many of
the beetles from laying their eggs
and is also a protection from mice
and rabbits which do considerable
injury in this region.
Spraying is needed here as in the
East, for the apple worn and other
insects are plentiful. The tent cater
pillar is abundant here and it is
easily destroyed by the spray. The
leaf rust, which is also controlled by
spraying, has been especially de-
structive in this region this year. At
Durham, Hillsboro and other points
it has been noticed doing consider
able injury.
The wet spring and late frosts
here had a bad effect, but the writer
is convinced that the greatest trouble
has been in the neglect of spraying
for in many orchards a fair crop was
set, and dropped off later, a disaster
that might have been prevented by
spraying.
THE WESTERN SECTION.
Localities Utsited-W iLkesborO, Lee
nOir, BLOwiny Rock and Waynes-
UiILe).
This is the principal apple region
of the State. Here almost any vari-
ETY. may be prOftably grown, and
here almost the only large CONNER
cial orchards of the State are located.
But though this section enjoys a soil
and climate especially adapted to the
apple, our inspections in the orchards
show that the same enemies are
prevalent here as elsewhere. Here,
in addition 60 wet spring and late
frost, destructive hail storms have
sMent over the mountains which