matter and other filth. The spores of fungi float in the air, and just as soon as the stale 

 of a leaf is in a favorable condition they take root and begin to multiply. 



The gentlemen at the head of our numerous experimental stations, together with 

 other scientists, in twenty years haye done more investigating and brought to light more 

 facts concerning fungous diseases, scaled insects, bugs, etc. (and also given tin- R-IIK -dies), 

 than the other nations have done in the whole history of the world. This is characteristic 

 of America. Whether it be in base ball, horse race, commercial activity or even r.vr, 

 Uncle Sam "gets there!" But, hold on, uncle, just one minute. It won't hurt you to 

 take time enough to wipe the sweat from your brow, expand your chest and fill your 

 lungs with //oxygen! Permit me to tell you, uncle, that amid your hurry-scurry, money- 

 making, microscopic-disease-hunting, remedy-finding labors, you have overlooked one 

 important fact, namely, that while you have labored conscientiously and faithfully in 

 examining leaves and branches, drawing and printing the shapes of formidable bugs and 

 pests of every description, yon, at the same time, have been preparing the conditions <m 

 which these dreaded diseases thrive, by neglecting the ROOTS oi the plant. The time 

 has come when America, in order to defeat the innumerable billions of insect pests, 

 must pause long enough to learn from British, French and German horticulturists and 

 orchardists that the _/?;-/ and all-important step to success in tree culture (in fact, in the. 

 cultivation of all crops) lies in the preparation of the soil and good drainn^,-. 



But, alas! alas! the diseases are among us! Whence came they? Have they sprung 

 up from our individual neglect, or were they introduced from the nurseries in a diseased 

 condition? Perhaps from both sources. Our experimental stations have traced diseased 

 plants to the nurseries from which they came and have experimented on diseased trees 

 /;/ the nurseries. One thing we do know, i. e., that many nursery firms not only advo- 

 cate deep plowing, sub-soiling, etc., but practice it. But other questions arise, such as, 

 have they ovenuotked their soil, failed to fertilize, etc., and, thereby, weakened their 

 stock? Are their buds and scions always taken from perfectly healthy trees ? I have 

 not had the opportunity to make personal examination, consequently cannot be charged 

 with intimating aught against any particular firm. But this I say with positiveness, 

 that every nursery in the United States should be kept under governmental inspection as 

 watchfully as the products of packing houses or other articles are kept under the 

 vigilance of the pure food commission. The fact that leaf blight (spotted leaves) have 

 been detected in nurseries would indicate light, sandy or poor soil. (See "Blight"). No 

 nursery should be permitted to send out stock unless it be under a guarantee of being 

 true to name, and absolutely sound in health. Nursery firms that haye healthy stock 

 will say "Amen" to this proposition. If any be found that have stock vitiated by inoc- 

 ulation from "yellows" or any other constitutional disease, or infested with the San Jose 

 scale, mealy bug or any other contagious pest, they should not grumble if they are 

 ordered by the government to dig up such pest-breeders and consign them to the flames. 

 Government is for the protection of the citizens and, if you want laws to thus protect 

 your interests, see that they are enacted. 



The United States is waking up to the fact that fruit acts both as a food and medi- 

 cine, but fruits from unhealthy trees, while they are not poison, are far from being desir- 

 able. What we need is a great abundance of fruit, from healthy trees, so that it will be 

 so cheap that all, the poor as well as rich, can have all that is needed. This would, in 

 part, destroy the appetite for strong drink. 



When your order of young trees comes from any nursery, before planting treat them 

 with the following mixture, prescribed by the Ohio experiment station; we have found 

 this to be one of the best to destroy bark-lice or any other lurking pesN: 



Dissolve one quart of soft soap or one-fourth pound of hard soap in two quarts of 

 boiling water. Make a mixture by taking seven parts of this solution and one part of 

 crude carbolic acid. Apply with a scrub-brush, but be careful not to break off the buds 

 on the leader. 



85 



