502 ANNUAL REPORTi OF THE Off. Doc. 



that he has not b(Hm troubled by borers since he began the use of 

 lime, salt and sulphur. Prof. Geo. C. Butz recommends the use 

 of Thum's sticky preparation. Another grower uses white lead and 

 linseed oil. The protection of birds is recommended by another. 



Regarding the extent of apple tree planting, tifteen report a de- 

 crease, six no material change and twenty-seven an increase. The 

 new plantations are set mostly by commercial orchardists rather 

 than by farmers. 



PEARS. 



Concerning the 1904 jdeld of pears, two correspondents report a 

 total failure; thirteen a light crop; six a good crop and a few state 

 it w^as large, very large or immense, twenty-eight correspondents re- 

 port good quality, seven medium and six poor. 



The vote on the most profitable varieties stood as follows: Bart- 

 lett thirty-four; Kieffer seventeen; Seckle sixteen; Clapp's Favorite 

 ten; Duchesse D'Angouleme seven; Sheldon four. In answer to 

 the question "Have you found pears as profitable as apples," twenty- 

 five replied no, twelve yes, and four that they had found pears more 

 profitable than apples. 



eTudging from the opinion held by our correspondents the much 

 feared and dreaded pear blight is as prevalent as ever. Twenty 

 correspondents report that the disease is on the decrease while the 

 same number say it is on the increase. It is evidently the worst 

 on low ground and in very rich soils. To avoid or partialjy avoid 

 blight there seems to be a consensus of opinion that a moderate 

 hardy growth should be encouraged rather than excessive w^ood 

 growth. A rapid, brash}^ growth is most susceptible to blight. This 

 being the case, high feeding and thorough tillage in fertile soils 

 endangers the lives of the trees. Mineral fertilizers may be used 

 liberally while nitrogenous compounds, including stable manure 

 must be used cautiously in pear orchards. 



PEACHES. 



The majority of Pennsylvania peach growers are discouraged. A 

 series of crop failures or partial successes has caused many to con- 

 demn the business. The 1904 crop in most orchards was a total 

 failure or entirely too light to make a profit or even pay expenses. 

 Encouraging reports come from favored districts, although only 

 five growers report a large crop and a few more refer to the yield as 

 good or medium. The extremely severe weather of last winter is 

 at the root of the trouble in many sections where the trees were 

 severely injured or even killed to the ground. Fruit buds were 

 winter killed in hundreds of orchards. . 



The reports on "Yellows" are discouraging. Five report a de- 

 crease in the prevalence of the disease while nineteen state that the 

 disease is increasing. 



The opinions expressed as to the most profitable varieties of 

 peaches are overwhelmingly in favor of Crawford's Late, mentioned 

 nineteen times and Elberta eighteen. Smock is mentioned by nine 

 correspondents. Champion, Otd Mixin, Mountaiu Rose and Stump 

 are favorites. 



