The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-08-23

stroyed by the spray. The e rust,
which is also controlled by spraying, has
been especially destructive in this re-
gion this year At Durham, Hi1lsboro
and other points it has been noticed
doing considerable injury.
The wet spring and late frosts here
had q bad effect. but the writer is con-
WINGED that the creates roubl a
been in the neglect OF spraying for in
many orchards q fair crop was set, n
dropped off later, a disaster that might
have bee prevented by spraying.
THE WESTERN SECTION.
localities visited. Wilkesboro, Le-
noir, Blowing roc and Waynesville.)
This is the principle apple region or
the state. Here lmost any variety
may be Droitably grown and here al
most the only large commercial or
chards 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
TO the wet spring and late frost, de-
Structive nail storms have swept over
the mountains which knocked off much
fruit and mu:ilated what remained, so
hat the crop will be very much reduc-
ed. From a tenth to a half crop is the
estimate given by various growers. One
may see whole orchards which are al
most barren Of fruit. Only occasional
trees are seen with a full crop and
these are generally in sheltered and iso-
lated situations. In a very few locali-
ties the blooming period was favorable
and many blossoms Were fertiliZed, but
the frost and hail soon destroyed them.
Here the orchards are often on hill
sides or m~ountainSides which are so
steep Is to forbid cultivation, in which
oo-o 1o,-n ~ Dnos o1r1 no
and turned under every three or o u
years. Pruning is sometimes practiced
but spraying is, as a rule,
In this region the borer has done its
greatest damage. and the apple worm,
though destructive, is not yet as bad as
in the eastern and middle sections. The
few rover that spray, however, have
found tina their fruit is of vastly bet
ter quality than when this operation is
neglected. In the counties bordering on
Tennessee spraying is almost wholly
unknown, except in Haywood county,
| where a few CT the more progressive
farmers around WayneSville have taken
it up, and cthers are being awakened to
it's benefits as they see the results. We
do not know of a single grower in Yam
| cey or Mitchell counties who sprays
though these are two of the best apple
counties in the state. h is but a
proof of the statement already made
that in the western part Of n state,
these insidious foes have not yet be
| come so destructive as in the east. They
| are destructive enough, however, Sc
| that those growers who once give the
| spraying a thorough test will be ardent
advocates Of the operation thereafter.
The writer is constantly in CORE
spondence with farmers, regarding in
sects, etc, and he is thus in a position
to speak with certain knowledge or
these matters. Those who desire any
| information on the matter of spraying
etc, may obtain it by correspondence
with the undersigned. This work is
being done for the benefit of the people
of the state, n they are expected tc
make use of it. Results of these inves'
LEGATIONS will be published from time tc
time in the Bulletin which is ISSUED
every month by the department OF
agriculture at Raleigh, and which Is
sent free to ell who request it.
All inquiries about insects should bt
accompanied by specimens when it i:
possible to obtain them. All such in
uuiries will receive the careful atten'
ton of the writer.
FRANKLIN SHERMAN, Jr.,
Entomologist,
Department Of Agriculture, Raleigh
n. G.