574 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



In spraying for the control of fungous diseases of the orchard, 

 a remarkable change has taken place in the selection of the fungi- 

 cide, l^ordeaux mixture, for many years the standard, must now 

 yield to lime-sulphur, the palm of popularity, since there are a 

 slightly larger number of growers reporting good results from its 

 use than from Bordeaux. The degree of dilution on apple and pear 

 averages 1-30, while on peach it is reported as being used much 

 weaker. 



Collar rot is reported from fifteen sections of the State, and twig 

 blight on apple, pear and quince from fifty. The only treatment 

 reported successful is cutting out of diseased portions, spraying 

 with a fungicide, and applying equal parts of lime and sulphur 

 about the diseased collar of the tree. 



Borers on apple, pear, peach and plum trees constitute a most 

 serious menace to the industry of fruit growing, and 65 per cent, 

 of the reports contain the statement that this pest is doing much 

 damage in their respective sections. There is no perfect preventive 

 of borers yet found, although a number of growers report fair suc- 

 cess from the application on the trunk of whale oil soap solution, 

 lime-sulphur solution, liquid manure, white lead and raw linseed 

 oil, unleeched woodashes and wrappers. All recognize the necessity 

 of cutting out borers when they have once entered the tree. 



Mice and rabbits are doing considerable damage in many sections 

 of the State, and it is evident that the proper steps are taken to 

 prevent injury by these pests. Persons annoyed by them are clean- 

 ing up the rubbish in the orchards, killing the rabbits and applying 

 to the trunk of the trees in orchard where damage is anticipated, 

 veneer, wire screens, white lead and raw oil, blood and salty lard. 

 1 'have personally found one orchard which was abundantly infested 

 with these pests absolutelj^ protected for five years from these pests 

 by one application of axle grease to the lower twelve inches of the 

 trunk. 



The use of fertilizers in the orchard is on the increase, and one- 

 half of the reports state that the practice is followed in their com- 

 munity. The best results attend the application of stable manure 

 or a complete fertilizer to the amount of 400 pounds, mixed after 

 the formula of 2 — S — 10. The use of lime is well understood, and 

 it is no longer applied generally as supplying any of the elements 

 of fertility, but an occasional treatment for the purpose of sweet- 

 ening the soil and setting free the elements of fertility by its chemi- 

 cal action upon vegetable and mineral matter. 



On the subject of tillage, most growers agree that young orchards 

 should be cultivated either with or without an intercrop, a few 

 answering that this is absolutely essential in the case of peach or- 

 chards. Many are practicing clean cultivation up to July, when cover 

 crops are sown, and crimson clover is the favorite among these. 

 Eye, mammoth clover, vetch, buckwheat and oats are other crops 

 grown for this purpose. 



Thirty per cent, of replies state that mulching is practiced in 

 orchards of their section, especially in orchards planted on hillsides 

 with good and very good results. 



A slight majority of correspondents advise against the practice 

 of heavy pruning of apple and peach. A number qualify their replies 



