14 



GENESEE FARMER. 



Jan. 1845 



THE BLIGHT IN THE PEAR TREE. 



Ix Hovey'rf INlagazinc of HoiticuUuie, lor Dec, 

 we find a lono- aiticlc of liiteen ])ao-ed on this subject, 

 by the Rev. H. W. Beecher of Indiana, in which he 

 speuks of the various theories of the cause hereto- 

 fore advanced, at much length. Some, he says, are 

 mere imaginations ; some only ingenious, and some 

 Ko near what he suppo.-:es to be the truth, that it is 

 hardly possible to imagine how the di;Covery was not 

 made. This shows that Mr. Beecher believes the 

 discovery actually made. His theory seems to be a 

 derangement of the fluid^^, produced by sudden and 

 severe fro:^ts coming on trees in the fell, while in a 

 vigorously growing state, as they are sometimes 

 w'hen we have waim weather and copious rains in 

 autumn— such was 1843. 



The sap, he says, descending slowly, in conse- 

 quence of its own thickened and diseased state, the 

 injured condition of the sap vessels, accumulates at 

 the juRcticnof fiuit spurs snd forks of bianches, and 

 remaining there, has the same effect as girdling on 

 the branch, by obstructing the passage of the sap in 

 the vessels. The sap elaborated above this pait and 

 descending by it, becomes contaminated and carries 

 the d'sease into ether parts of the tree by means of 

 the circulation. M". Beecher, in support of this 

 theory, instances several pear oichards where the 

 late growing kinds, and those stimulated to late 

 growth by artificial causes or otherwise, haveinvaii- 

 ably suffered most by the blight, whilst those matur- 

 ing their wood early from natural properties or from 

 being planted on high sandy gravelly soil, escape in 

 a great measure, and in most cases entirely. 



We must have recourse to much more observation 

 and inquiry before we speak with any degree of 

 confidence on this subject. At present we must say 

 that we doubt very much the correctness of the 

 theory. 



In tiie Mt. Hope Nurseries, there are several thou- 

 sand pear trees of various ages, from 1 to 8 years 

 oldy and highly snsceptible of blight from this new 

 cause, yet there has never appeared the slightest in- 

 dication of it, while the disease has been committing 

 serious depredations in the immediate vicinity on 

 large trees, much less likely to suffer, because less 

 excited to growth by high cultivatioi?. We have 

 seen many trees killed by this disease, that had not 

 grown a foot in two or three years. The fluids of 

 such trees could not be ve;y abundant, nor the sys- 

 tem in a state of great excitability, so that sudden 

 frostSf in our opinion, could not operate so deadly. — 

 This, to us, is one strong objection to Mr. Beechers 

 theory, which we have raom to mention at present. 

 This g'entleman, however, deserves great credit for 

 the industry and ability he has manifested in the 

 investigation of this important snbioct, as well as 

 for the deep interest he takes in all that concerns the 

 interest of Horticulture. We hop-^ his theory may 

 prove true, for as he says, " the scourge can only be 

 occasional, and a remedy exists to some exten :" 



1. By selecting for pear trees a warm, dry, early 

 soil that will ensure early growth and ripe wood 

 before winter sets in. 



2. Select such kinds as are naturally early growers 

 and earlv ripeners of wood. 



3. Where trees are likely to make late growth, 

 resort in root pruninsc to prevent it. 



4. Wh".re 'd'ght does ap-^ear, cut off the affect-^^ 

 part as soon as you discover it, and considerably 

 below. 



Mr. Boechor concludes his article bv calling the' 



attention of cultivators to '' Yellov/s " in the peach 

 trees, snd remarks " that it is the opinion of the 

 most intelligent cultivators among us that the ' Yel- 

 lows' are nothing but the developcment of the blight 

 according to the peculiar habits of the peach tree." 

 This is a new idea, and one to which we will refer at 

 some future time. 



Hovey's Magazine of HuRxicui/ruuE. — JVei(> 

 Volume. '^ This eminently useful periodical has just 

 closed the tenth year of its existence. For some 

 years of that period we have been a constant readei' 

 of its pages, and take great pleasure in bearing our 

 humble testimony to the important services it has 

 rendered to every depaitment of Horficultare. 



The Prospectus is issued for a "new decade or se- 

 ries,'" and if space permitted us, we should be glad to 

 publish it entire. The following paragraph, hou--' 

 ever, will give an idea of the impoitant objects of 

 the woik : 



" Horticulture — its science and practice ; the euI-» 

 tivation of Fruit ; the growth of Plants ; the man- 

 agement of Ornamental plantations ; the cultivation 

 of Vegetables ; Hybridization ; Grafting and Bud- 

 ding ; construction of Green-4iouses and Pits ;— > 

 Landscape Gardening ; Floricultuial notices ; Porn- 

 ological notices ; Reviews ; foreign and domestic 

 notices ; exhibitions of Horticultural Societies : — ' 

 replies to queries ; report of the Market ; monthly 

 calendar of the garden : with numerous engravings 

 illustrating the various subjects treated upon, will 

 make up the coming volume of the Magazine, 



'' The first number of the new series will appear 

 on the 1st of Jan. 1845. It Avill be printed on a beau- 

 tiful type, on extra fine paper, and will be embellish'- 

 ed with several engravings. The terms three dol- 

 lars a year in advance. The Magazine will not be 

 forwarded by mail to any new subscriber without the 

 remittance of the amount. No subscriptions recei- 

 ved for less than a year, and all to commence and end 

 with the volume." 



Superior Apple. — Mr. T. H. Hyatt, of Roches- 

 ter, has left with us a sample of a kind of apple which 

 he thinks a seedling. It is medium sized, has a 

 thin, smooth skin, of a golden color, with a rosy 

 tinge on one side. It is a fair, beautiful and exceed'-, 

 ■'ngly well flavored apple, ripening from first Nov. 

 to Christmas. Whether it be a seedling or not, it 

 is certainly a very valuable apple. If it should ap- 

 pear that it has never received a name, v/e would 

 suggest that of Hyatt's iS'ecrf/mg-. — Cultivator, 



We have seen and tasted the apple alluded to above 

 and pronounce it an excellent variety of the season. 

 It is in fine eating condition now, Dec. 20, and may 

 be used a few weeks longer. Flesh white, juicy, 

 and of agreeable flavor. It is not quite as large as 

 a medium sized swaar, flatish form. We consider it 

 well worthy of cultivation. It is said to be a tole- 

 rable good bearer. 



Tomato Catsup. — To a gallon skinned tomatoes 

 add 4 tablespoonfuls- of salt, 4 do. black pepper, half 

 a spoonful allspice, 8 red peppers, and 3 spoonfuls 

 mustard. All these ingredients must be ground 

 fine, and simmered slowly in sharp vinegar for three 

 or four hours. As much vinegar is to be used as to 

 loive half a gallon of liquor when the process is 

 >ver. Strain throun-h a wire seive, and bottle, and 

 seal from the air. This may be used in tvx'o weeks, 

 but improves by age, and will keep for several years. 



