No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 563 



ing comprises all the area of the State wliere peaches can be grown 

 successfully. Over production is feared by some, and possibly with a 

 fair degree of reason, but if quality rather than quantity is kept in 

 mind by the grower, and high giade fruit only is offered on our 

 markets overproduction is not so near at hand as perhaps is over- 

 planting. No one is now planting dwarf apples, even as fillers, ex- 

 cept probably the city planter and the experimentalist. Dwarf pears 

 are freely planted as fillers. 



Other horticultural operation mentioned by correspondents are 

 the growing and evaporation of sweet or sugar corn and strawberry 

 cultuie. One of the most notable and successful of these newer in- 

 dustries is that of celery culture in Tioga county. Here hundreds 

 of acres of richest valley soils are planted to this crop, amounting 

 to many thousands of dollars in value annually. Chestnut culture 

 is reported from three counties, but while this industry formerly 

 offered means by which otherwise barren mountain land could be 

 turned ^o the production of valuable crops the presence of the Chest- 

 nut Bli.^ht among us is calculated to put at least a temporary check 

 upon chestnut planting. 



The price of horticultural land in the State has increased during 

 the last few years in 30 counties and averages 25 per cent. There 

 has also, been a general increase in the value of all farm lands. 



All commercial orchards worthy the name are now sprayed. Twenty- 

 three per cent, of all orchards are sprayed at least once during 

 the year. The remainder will be sprayed or else soon go out of ex- 

 istence as producing orchards. The above percentage refers to or- 

 chards and not to trees. There is no doubt that over 50 per cent, of 

 the total number of fruit trees within the State are now treated by 

 spraying. 



Some system of culture is practiced in 15 per cent, of all orchards- 

 while 16 per cent, are properly pruned. Cultivation of peach orchards; 

 is a necessity to full success, and is practiced by nearly all commercial 

 growers. More instruction is needed in pruning, cultivation and 

 fertilization. 



The most damaging pests in 31 counties is the San Jose scale, 

 and in 25 counties the Codling moth. There is no doubt that these 

 two insects, tlie one attacking the tree and the other the fruits, will 

 continue our most im])ortant pests for some time to come. They are 

 responsible for the destruction of hundreds of thousands of dollars 

 of property in this State annually. The comparative ease with which 

 they can be controlled by well-known methods seems to be recog- 

 nized by nearly all, as they are seldom merrtioned as difficult of con- 

 trol. Lime-sulfur for the scale and arsenate of lead for the Codling 

 rrroth are the reliable remedies. 



Other pests mentioned are Oyster-shell scale in 12 counties, while 

 but 5 give any importance to the Curculio. I believe the latter re- 

 sponsible for rrruch damage even to apple, and the arsenical spray be- 

 fore the blossoms open to supplement the regular Codling moth 

 treatment should not be overlooked in spraying for the Curcrrlio where 

 its presence is indicated in the apple orchards. 



Borers are mentioned in 6 reports as the most damaging pests 

 and difficult to control. When they once have entered the trunks 



