THE SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 343 



trees on the farm which hud been uttacketl by the yellows were now in 

 apparently good condition, and free from the disease, we wrote to him asking 

 if he "would give some further information upon the subject. As the remark 

 implied that a "cure" had in some way been effected, it was very desirable to 

 know how it had been accomplished. Prof. Mayuard replies as follows : 



We have a number of peach trees that have shown every indication of disease, 

 and which are to-day as healthy as any trees on the place. 



In our experience we find that trees are not attacked by this disease unless 

 the soil becomes poor or the trees are weakened by overbearing. The top 

 generally dies while the root remains alive for one season after the top appears 

 dead. Our treatment has been, when a tree begins to show signs of weakuess 

 or disease, to cut back severely — not only the shoot btit the main branches — 

 then apply an abundance of plant food, and esjiecially potash ; but I think 

 potash alone will not cure the disease. I believe if a few healthy cells can be 

 produced the tree can be renewed in perfect health. 



The manure we have used has been muriate of potash, from three to four 

 pounds to each tree, well distributed around the tree, ground bone or super- 

 phosphate, and some organic matter if the soil is very poor. We have used in 

 some instances, with good results, Navassa phosphates, containing a large 

 per cent of iron, also manure from the blacksmiths' shops, which contains 

 much iron. 



We do not claim to have discovered a positive remedy for the disease called 

 the yellows, nor to have proved what the disease is, but we believe that by 

 proper treatment the peach tree may be kept in a healthy condition for a long 

 series of years, and produce an abundance of fruit when the buds are so 

 matured as to withstand the cold. 

 * ************* 



A peach grower at St. Joseph reports a case in which a peach tree affected 

 with the yellows was dug up and dragged out of the orchard, brushing against 

 nine other trees during removal, and says that the following year the nine trees 

 were infected with the disease ; upon the announcement of which fact A. M. 

 Purdy is lead to remark, *'Ah! how's that, ye scientific and philosophical 

 professors, * soil and poor cultivation ' is the cause, eh ? We again repeat that 

 soil and cultivation has nothing to do with it." 



****:}:********* 



G. F. Needham, of Washington, D. C, says this disease is the yellow fury of 

 the peach tree. It has destroyed and is destroying more orchards than all 

 other causes combined. The cause is not known. The only remedy is to dig 

 up the trees and burn them at once, and prevent the contagion from spreading. 

 If it be desirable to replace the tree, the soil should be removed, and fresh 

 earth that has been well limed should be used in its place. 



************** 



At Lawton, in this State, are gathered a few fruit growers who understand 

 their business. They would like to know what the cause of the yellows is, and 

 if there is a remedy would apply it vigorously. But in the absence of this 

 exact knowledge they propose to do the next best thing, and do it well. These 

 men are organized into a horticultural society and had the present yellows enact- 

 ment printed and posted conspicuously in prominent places, with the statement 

 that the Lawton Horticultural Society would prosecute all violators of law 

 which were brought to its notice. Along with this announcement was a similar 

 one concerning trespassers. The result of this action was that there was les3 



