Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-02-28

ORCHARDS IN THE SPRING.
Every tree ana vine planted il sub
ject to disease and attacks of insects.
If all the varieties of fruit trees were
diseased alike some remedy for proven
tion could be devised that would be
safe and serviceable, but the climate
and soil sometimes affect the coadi-
lions ana render the methods pract;Cctl
by fruit growers in one section I'M
successful in another. thus calling .or
different arrangements in different To-
oaiities. IT," peach. which form xiv
fiourished as well in Pennsylvania AM
New Jersey. as in Delaware. has prov
eel Improbable of late years in some
sections. owing to the "ycllows" The
borer has done great damage. but The
work of the borer can be prevented il
the trees are carefully watched. IL
mas been supposed that the yello rs
IS the result % exhaustion of the oil
not that the soil becomes necessarily
sterile, bu' tHat the elements essential
10 the healthy growth of the tree and
production of fruit have been supplied.
As a proof of this fact il may be men,
toned that in some sections of New
Jersey the fruit-growers are again
giving their attention to peach-grow-
ing. as time has enabled the soil to ac-
cumulate and store up the clements
best adapted for that purpose. but as
yet there seems to be no sure remedy
for the yellows, except to destroy all
infested trees. The success of the
Delaware peach-growers is due to their
adoption of all the advantages neces-
sary to success and the avoidance of
the mistakes committed elsewhere.
Artificial fertilizers have done much
to prevent diseases of fruit trees. as by
their use the growers can supply the
needed requirements in any form and
quantity desired of the essential ele-
ments. which is not the case when re-
lance is placed exclusively upon barn
yard manure, which. by its decomposi-
ton in the soil. sometimes. induces the
disease which it is sought TO prevent
The yellows attacks peach trees in
any climate, but singles out those that
are impoverished and of feeble growth,
though it is contagious wien Brought
in contact with healthy trees
The blight is great enemy of pear
trees. II has been found Tia. the dis.
ease attacks those trees that have been
forced too rapidly in growth. and that
1t will not do to heavily manure and
cultivate the trees before they begin
to bear. the best conditions being a
light grass crop in the orchard. as
sisted by artificial fertilizers composed
largely of potash. Potash is also
beneficial to the peach. and. in fact. to
all fruits, increasing the amount of sac
charine matter. although but little pot
ash really enters into the composition
of the fruit. During the period of
fruiting. ground bone, or superphos-
phate has proved beneficial. the straw
berry being an example While il is
essential that the trees be kept in
strong. healthy. vigorous growth. more
damage has been done by forcing them
than in any other manner. Exposing
the surface soil to the heat of the suns
rays in summer is detrimental. and
hence the value of grass crop in the
pear orchard. which shades the trees,
but such crop must be supplied with
plant-food TO prevent robbery of the
orchard. A cheap and excellent fertil-
izer is made by composing mari. lime
and old sod. allowing the mass to
reach fine condition before applying
to the orchard, while stable manure.
though combining all the elements of
plant-food. should never be used until
thoroughly decomposed. the fresh ma
terial being too heating. as we'll as con-
tanning bacterial life detrimental to
success. The peach orchard is cult
waited differently from the pear trees.
1t is now claimed that the same cul-
ture given corn answers for the peach,
but nothing will avail TO win success
unless the trees are carefully pruned
and the borer prevented. Many of the
obstacles heretofore encountered are
due rather TO improper management
than TO other Philadelphia
Record