
          324

they are injured by the low temperature depends much 
on location, soil, age, vitality, and other and unknown
causes.  In the instances referred to in answer to question 3, the
thermometer in Jan. 1856 marked 14 degrees below zero - nearly
all the old orchards were killed, notably in the vicinity of
Delaware City, and the younger ones rendered sickly &
short-lived.  Though the peach buds have on several occasions
been all winter killed since 1856, the cold was not sufficiently
severe to seriously affect the bearing wood until Jan.
1881 when the temperature again fell to 14 degrees below
zero with similar or rather increased marked results,
as the trees were generally older and less vigorous than
were the orchards in 1856 [Theory built upon an insufficient
basis.].  In addition to the above cause of
disease and consequent loss of orchards during the
past few years, the weather conditions of the Summers
have had marked effect on the health and vitality of the
trees.  Hot, wet, and humid weather, such as we have
experienced the past three Summers, not only rots
the fruit but materially injures the bearing wood. The custom
here is to cut down the diseased tree or trim off the 
affected branches, the treatment depending on the
nature and extent of the parts affected. [Ask him
whether any one has been able to cut it out.  Also for
temperature & rainfall records for 1885,-86 & 1887.]

I do not wish to be understood as have assuming
that under similar conditions of weather
the trees would be as healthy and vigorous as the orchards
were 20 years ago, or that the yellows in peach
trees is not a disease apparently contagious; but the
causes, I think, are frequently produced by surrounding
influences, often local, and, in a degree at least,
subject to control.

Though peach orchards have been grown in this
vicinity for 40 years, and, as previously stated,
at no time <s>entirely exempt</s> since 1856 entirely
exempt from disease [yellows], yet they are
still planting here, and the younger orchards
planted since 1882 are looking remarkably
well [?*] <s>and</s> the failure last year
having been caused by wet and rot.  [visit
& examine in 1888]

Respectfully, 
H. H. Appleton.

* Not true, Ex'd [examined] young orchards
there in Aug. 1888, & found all
of them over 5 yrs old badly dis'd [diseased] by "yellows."
        