The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-11

EXPERIENCE IN MICHIGAN

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~ alllld IGdSlleS.
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by j. H. PHILLIPS, Stntc Entomolog ist.
10 Michigan belongs the proud dis
,,s H.. ~.
'i'i' 'io'' VI pe'ns .'e ~ ''"'s
enact q law looking to the control or
peachNellows. The first Michigan law
was enacted IN 1873, ana the literature
on the subject indicates That the Mich
igan laws nave been mucf more ellec- 4
tive than those OF other states. mis-
Is nut natural, since the lntelligeht
ult-groWefs OF Mlchigah WORKED OUT
the problem OF controlling this disease
and secured the passage of the law
win very little help from expert plant
i'a ~, o'o ,s = .s,s' ,,,a
extent the success Of the Michigan
growers in controlling this disease.
Michigan is credited. in tho census Of
1900. with S.1O4,415 bearing peach
trees; the only states approa ching this |
number closely being Georgia Cali I
fornin and roxas three States in |
which. the writer understands, this
disease has appeared in very Sigh
degree. if at all. This number is more
than four times as great as reported
in the census or 1890. In 1890 the
Michigan growers were beginning to
rebuild the industry after it was prac-
ticnlly DESTROYED nv peach yellows
Comparing these figures with the
returns from New Jersey, Delaware
and Maryland, three of the most inn
portant peacil-growing States in 1890,
we find that thev have instead of in
crcasing, lost very greatly since that
time So far as the writer is in
formed this is due very largely, If
not entirely, to the prevalence of peach
yellows. the climatic and soil condi-
lions being we'll suited to the growth
of this fruit The latter three states
suffered incalculable damage from
this disease for twenty to thirty wears
before it was known in Michiga yet
they have failed to enforce fully any
law to control it.
Studying the Situation.
With the above facts in mind and
knowing also that the soil and eli
matte conditions in Virginia. from the
eastern border of Piedmont to its
southwest extremity, offer an onpor-
tunity for almost unlimited develop
ment for this great and remuncrative
industry, the writer recenttF visited
| the prjncipal pench growing sections
Of Michigan. with the view Of observ-
| ing their methods at first hand and
| learning. if Dossible. some few facts
| in regard to this important industry
/ TINT would he Of value IA orr Viz
ginia grow ers
We have opportunities in Virginia
second to none for the DEVELOPMENT OF
this Industry. occunyinr AZ ,va do q
position near the great markets. of
/ the Northern and Middle States with
i soil and climatic conditions s,,itah1e IN
| the production of Deaches or TITO I'm
4 est quality and appearance from carly
A in july 10 late in October. Our snccial
4 opportunitv, however. lies in hnldinr
a summer (about the close ar tho main
crop period in Georgia) ,mtll late in
the fall for at this period we are in
a position to compete fayorablv with
any section of the country.
v,u. p
''s.
me area ~ virginia suited TO the
CROWN or thls 1rult, instead OIL being
cohhned 70 small area, is spread
out, as mentioned above. through more
man half or the state much OF 1t be-
ing well suited to ordinary farm crops,
mus allowing dlVerslied agriculture
Miie'i NJ Supply Plen.S OF iAoor az
CROP. while in Georgia and Michi-
gan tho laborers receive from 80 ~ 81
nor day ar the harvesting nerind ,rhe
local supply is not s,lfflcient and Ia hor
@ must be imported. hence the high nrice
. The peach hell of Michigan is main.
a " confined % n narrow Strip Of al pht
70 ten miles In width along tho lalxr
. border tho,,eh # Is of course wide,
:. in few places. This strin extends
, through about six counties ana ~.
soil is not well suited 10 ordinary farm
{ crons fruit-growinp being the mai,
q occupation. They have deye,oned hi,
q Industry under great diff,cu,tles nh,
t, freeze of October 10. 1900. destrover
l. 81 least OK ner cent ~ tha neach tree
d in Southern Michiran tha s)oss q
:, which cannot he estimated Th,
<, growers in Rerriea, county conside