THE SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 347 



We close the (|uotcitions ui)on this subject witli the following: 

 At the kite meetiiii,' of the New York Ilorticulturul Society, during the dis- 

 cussion about peaches and peach trees, Mr. Julius Harris, of Ilidgeway, said he 

 did not suppose, three years ago, that there were any yellows in Western New 

 York. He invested pretty largely in a peaoh orchard, and found those best 

 cultivated least afflicted. Had made up his mind that it i.s a disease that com- 

 mences in the roots. Knew a sweeping wind, in the fall, to blow over a number 

 of peach trees; they were set up again, and when tliey bore the next year, 

 every on6 had the yellows. Has twenty-five acres in peaches, and has lost but 

 few from yellows; thinks he had three trees affected last year, and rooted them 

 out; thinks it passes from tree to tree. The first diseased tree he had allowed 

 to stand two years, when he dug it up and planted another in its place, and it 



has stood there two years and is free from yellows. 

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



Were it not for the fact that our Michigan peach growers that have had most 

 to do with this fell disease are in no mood to laugh, they certainly would 

 audibly smile at the above array of "notions concerning the yellows.'' It is a 

 great pity that men that know most about the disease do not say more, and 

 those who liave tried one or two experiments would wait before making their 

 conclusions public property. What we want is some scientific man to go into 

 a country like Berrien county in our State, where the disease, in spite of the 

 employment of the best knowledge concerning its prevention, has cleared out 

 the peach interest ; then let him dig until he feels that he has something 

 accurate and valuable to communicate, and until that time to hold his peace. 

 Until some one in whom the public have confidence will do this, we shall have 

 no satisfactory solution of the problem. 



FARMERS AND FRUIT GROWING. 



W. J. Fowler read an excellent essay on the above topic before the Western 

 New York Farmers' Club. We draw upon it as follows : 



The idea among old-fashioned farmers that gardening and fruit growing, 

 except of apples, is slow, "puttering" work, which can not be attempted with- 

 out neglect of staple farm crops, is not wholly without foundation. Unused, 

 as many farmers are, to the details of these little operations, it requires more 

 time and labor for them to grow vegetables than it does to the practical 

 gardener, and to grow small fruits than it does to him who makes that a 

 specialty. A great many things have to be done at just such a time or not at 

 all. Neglect of these often makes the garden vegetables of the gardener cost 

 more than they v/ould if purchased at the market. As for fruits, the great 

 bulk of apples comes from the orchards of farmers; but it must be confessed 

 that the profits in orcharding usually belong to those who make the care of 

 their orchards their principal business. With the increase of insect enemies, 

 the most easily grown fruits can not be produced Avithout greater care than 

 most farmers will give. If farmers attempt to grow even apples, they must pay 

 the cost, or their crops will be of little value. 



But there is a difficulty in growing fruit exclusively that is not often thought 

 of. Orchards need fertilizers, and unless a due proportion of I'arm stock is 

 kept, the requisite manure can not well be procured. While trees are growing, 

 the manure question is held in abeyance. Thorough tillage will on ordinarily 



