FIFTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 



29 



all sources of infection, althoug-h a careful attention to the 

 removal of blighted limbs p^oes a lonjr ways in this direction. 

 But what seems to me a most important step is to so handle 

 the orchard that it is fortified in a larg-e degree against this 

 disease. We all recognize that some varieties are much more 

 resistant than others ; notably, for instance, Tyson, Bufifum, 

 Duchess, and Seckel ; while others, such as Clapp's Favorite, 

 Flemish Beauty, Onondaga, Bartlett. Bosc, are much more 

 liable to serious injury during a virulent attack of this trouble. 

 This shows us that varieties that are inclined to make a soft, 

 succulent growth are the greatest sufferers. 



Now in the handling of a young orchard (for we find this 

 is its most vulnerable period), we pursue a course to prevent 

 a too luxuriant growth and have the wood well matured in 

 the fall ; this same course is also followed in the older orchards, 

 but in so large a degree as the production of fruit tends to 

 check excessive wood growth. 



On young orchards use nitrogenous fertilizers in very 

 sparing quantities, especially if the ground is moderately 

 fertile, depending more on phosphoric acid and potash, and 

 stop cultivation early ; the period to be determined somewhat 

 by the season. Cultivate a little later, if the season should 

 prove to be a dry one ; with me. the first of July to August 

 1st I find about right. 



I use cover crops and on the older orchards I use crimson 

 clover; this mig-nt not be safe practice on young ones except 

 occasionall}'. If I feared an excess of wood growth, I would 

 sow oats ; this crop takes up moisture more rapidly and checks 

 tree growth quicker than any crop I am familiar with. 



I am a strong advocate of summer cutting out of blighted 

 limbs and persist in it as long as any is to be found. Since 

 I have followed this system I speak of, I rarely ever lose a 

 tree from this trouble. 



In the case of the i'sylla our entomologists have given 

 specific instructions for their control. I consider a thorough 

 spraying on the hatching of the first brood very important ; 

 it is often sufficient to subdue them for the season. When 

 they are particularb,- abundant, several sprayings, about ten 

 days apart, are generally necessary. My choice of remedies 



