The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-03
Reno County Apple Men Deter
mined to Keep 1t Out.
Declared War Against SedgWick
County Where Plague Prevails.
ENEMY OFAPPLE TREE
San Jose Scale introduced in
Kansas About Four Years Ago.
Spraying Will Not Stamp Out
Disease After 1t Gets FOOthOld.

Hutchinson. Kan, April 3.-Reno
county apple men have declared war
against Sedgwick county.
1t is hard to tell what might happen
should a Wichita man come into Reno
county and bring in trees. He would
probably be tarred and feathered. if
nothing more serious should befall
him.
For Sedgwick county is fairly alive
and swarming with the San Jose scale,
the most deadly plague and enemy OF
the apple tree. Reno county is COM
paratively free of the plague and the
apple men here are determined that
it shall remain free.
About four years ago the San Jose
scale was introduced in Kansas. and
it is charged by the Hutchinson apple
men that a nursery owner, knowing,
it is alleged, that his trees were in
fected with the scale, sold them
throughout the state and introduced
and spread the scale over the state.
1T was one of the most dastardly
things ever perpetrated in this state
and he ought to have been lynched, "
declared one Hutchinson apple raiser.
At any rate Sedgwick county was
one of the hardest hit sections in the
state, and it is declared that there is
not an apple orchard around Wichita
but what is ruined and infested by the
scale.
The Scale Found Here.
About three years ago the scale was
found in four orchards in this county.
Prompt steps were taken at the IN
derwood, Yaggy and other big orchards
to prevent it getting a foothold, and
these efforts were successful.
By scientific spraying and the most
careful attention the trees in the big
orchards near Hutchinson have been
kept free of the tree disease, but it is
believed a good many Of the smaller
orchards and fruit trees on farms are
affected.
The state legislature has appropria-
ted large sum to fight the scale, but
the big fruit men here are prepared to
make their own fight without depend
ing upon the state to protect their or
chards. The state can do effective
work, however. in stamping out the dls-
ease in the small orchards and prevent
ing it spreading, for it is like the small
pox or cholera, nothing but the most
drastic measures can stamp 1t out
Requires Several Measures.
ct don't believe spraying will sue
cessfully stamp out the disease when
it once gets a foothold," said Edward
Yaggy, who has a 600-acre apple orch
ard on his plantation west of Hutchin-
son. 1.-The only way to stop it is to
cut out and burn the infected tree. But
the trees should be sprayed to keep the
scale and other diseases away. We
have several thousands of dollars in
vested in spraying apparatus at our
orchard"
Spraying will begin at the Yaggy
orchards as soon as the blossoms come
out on the trees. and every tree will
be given a thorough soaking with
chemicals.
AS a result Of the spread of the dis
ease in Sedgwick county the Reno
county orchard men have declared what
is practically a quarantine against
Sedgwick.
A Wichita man who would bring ap-
pie trees to Hutchinson and try to
sell them here would probably land in
Jail before night.