PEACH YELLOWS. 269 



history of the treatment of this orchard aad of the progress of the disease, by 

 years, as given by Joseph A. Rickards, the tenant, is as follows : 



1884. Kainit was sowed broadcast in the spring on the entire 50 acres at the rate of 

 300 to 400 pounds per acre [about 50 pounds of potash per acre]. 



1885. This j'ear there were many premature trees, nearly one-third of the back 35 

 acres, 1 e., the older trees. That fall from 5 to 25 pounds of I. P. Thomas's Peach Tree 

 Fertilizer was put around each diseased tree [about one-half pound to two pounds of 

 potash and the same amount of phosphoric acid per tree]. In all, 4 or 5 tons were thus 

 used. 



1886. There were more premature trees this year. The orchard got worse rather than 

 better, and Mr. Rickards wished to dig out all diseased trees, but Mr. Polk objected and 

 desired to continue the treatment. That fali from 300 to 400 pounds per acre of ordinary 

 phosphate, part of it made by Mr. Thomas, was sowed broadcast on the entire 50 acres 

 [6 to 8 pounds of potash and 20 to 30 pounds of phosphoric acid per acre]. 



1887. The y<mnger, front part of the orchard showed many diseased trees. Nothing 

 was put on the back 35 acres, but on the 15 acres of younger trees the Thomas mixture 

 was apjilied at the rate of 300 to 40 ) pounds per acre. This was put on in March or 

 April and plowed under later. The orchard showed no improvement. 



1888. No treatment, save the ordinary careful cultivation which has been given each 

 year. 



I drove the entire length of the orchard and along one end, and walked 

 through the middle. It is very badly diseased in all parts, and many of the 

 trees are entirely worthless. The boss of the picking gang, who has been on 

 the place five years, and was then at work in the orchard, told me that 20 

 acres of the 35 was "good for nothing," and would be cut down as soon as 

 time could be found to do it, Mr. Polk having given orders to that effect; in 

 fact five acres liad already been cue down. He estimated that about two-thirds 

 of the eight-year-old trees were diseased, and I saw nothing which led me to 

 doubt his statement. Of the sis-year-old trees, he thought about one-fourth 

 were premature. Following Mr. Polk's direction the tenant began to cut 

 these down, but found so many of them, that he preferred not to execute the 

 order until he should again see the manager and inform him more fully of 

 the exact condition of the trees. The diseased trees were very yellow and 

 sickly looking, some were barren, .lud others bore premature fruit and the 

 characteristic shoots. The healthy trees, especially in the younger part of 

 the orchard, bore considerable fruit; they were large, and the foliage 

 was green and vigorous. Evidently they have had good care and plenty of 

 suitable food. 



So far as I could judge, Mssuming for a basis the recent progress of the 

 disease in all that part of Maryland, the fertilizers have had no effect what- 

 ever in retarding: its spread. It has gone on increasing frotn year to year 

 until now the orchard is very badly diseased. It is certainly as bad as any 

 untreated orchard within a radius of 10 miles, and much worse than several 

 orchards on the south side of tlie Sassafras river, on similar soil, and on land 

 which has been "peached" once and has received no special treatment. In 

 my judgment it would have been better to have removed the diseased trees, 

 from year to year, as fast as they appeared. If I have not been misinformed, 

 Mr. Polk is now also of this opinion. 



Orchard No. 1 of this report leceived 200 pounds of ground bone and 200 

 pound of muriate of potash per acre when three years old. 



Orchard No. 2 has also received a good deal in the way of phosphates, 

 potash salts, and barn-yard manure for a series of years. 



Orchard No. 14 received kainit broadcast in the spring of 1885, at the rate 

 of 400 pounds per acre. Phosphates and barn-yard manure were used on the 

 field for other crops previous to setting the trees, but not since. The level 



