Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 March 1903 — GARDEN AND FARM [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GARDEN AND FARM

ORCHARDS IN THE SPRING. . Every tree and vine planted Is subject to disease and attacks of insects. If all the varieties of fruit trees were diseased alike some remedy for prevention could be devised that would be safe and serviceable, but the climate and soil sometimes affect the conditions and render the methods practiced by fruit growers in one section unsuccessful in another, thus calling for different managements in different localities. The peach, which formerly flourished as well In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as In Delaware, has proved unprofitable of late years in some sections, owing to the “yellows.” The borer has done great damage, but the work of the borer can be prevented if the trees are carefully watched. It has been supposed that the yellovs Is the resu't o' exhaustion of the oil—• not that the EotU becomes necessarily sterile, biF teat the elements essential so the healthy growth of the tree and production of fruit have been supplied. As a proof of this fact it may be mentioned 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 accumulate and store up the elements 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 necessary 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 elements, which is not the case when reliance is placed exclusively upon barnyard manure, which, by its decomposition 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 ’.vhen brought In eoniact with healthy trees. The blight is a great enemy of pear fees. It. has Iven found that the disease attacks those trees that have been forced too rapidly in growth, and that It 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, assisted by artificial fertilizers composed largely of potash. Potash Is also beneficial to the peach, and, in fact, to all fruits, increasing the amount of saccharine matter, although but little potash really enters into the composition of the fruit, During the period of fruiting, ground bone, or superphosphate has proved beneficial, the strawberry being an example. While it is essential that the trees he kept in a 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 sun’s rays in summer is detrimental, and hence the value of a 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 fertilizer is made by composing marl, lime and old sod, allowing the mass to reach a 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 material being too heating, as well as containing bacterial life detrimental to success. The peach orchard is cultivated differently from the pear trees. It Is now claimed that the same culture given corn answers for the peach, but nothing will avail to win success unless the trees carefully pruned and the borer prevented. Many of the obstacles heretofore encountered are due rather to Improper management than to other influences.—Philadelphia Record.

LIVE STOCK AND MANURE. The manure on the farm represents capital, but a problem to many farmers Is when to spread the manure. If done In the fall, upon plowed ground, the land may lose portions of the plant food by flow of water from the land. If done in the spring, tho work comes during a busy period. In Buch cases the topography of the land Is largely to be considered, and no plan or method will apply for all. The effects of liming the land are also frequently discussed, but the application of lime must be governed by the amount of green material plowed under, the requirements of the soil regarding lime and Its acidity. The farmers must endeavor to study these conditions, for too little lime may be of no service, while too much may cause Injury. The selection of live stock depends upon the fertility of tho farm. Some breeds can forage better than others, some can find subsistence on hilly land that cannot be plowed, and some require less care than others; but there are breeds which thrive only on luxuriant pasturage. and which demand attention during all seasons of the year. On certain farms only the active breeds are suitable, but on other farms the most profit is derived by the use of breeds that give a return for the extra labor bestowed. Every farmer must be capable of selecting what lie requires, and If he is unable to do so, then he has something to learn as a farmer. What each farmer should endeavor to do Is to Intelligently plan In advance his operations for the year. He may probably learn much ky observing his neighbors, but there - ~