
          328

the ox and spade soon cured them. Then the
question arose - can we set trees in the place where
those with the yellows had been taken out?  The question
was discussed very thoroughly in our Pomological
Meetings. By some it was tought to be dangerous, but
for the last 7 or 8 years we have taken out the
affected tree and the spring following have set
in the same place - and have raised as fine
peaches as we ever raised, free from any blight.
* * * *
Hoping this explanation will be satisfactory, I 
Remain
Truly yours.
S.G. Sheffer.

copy 
3

Fennville, [Mich.]. April 11, 1888,

Erwin F. Smith,
Ann Arbor.

Dear Sir: - We have not trouble in makeing
trees grow in the place where we have taken out trees
that had the yellows.  I have an Early Crawford tree
that I set in the place of one that had the yellows
seven years ago, and it has borne fruit for the last
four years, and show no signs of the disease yet. Last
season I picked 3 bask. [baskets] [bush.?] from it of nice
marketable fruit, and it bids fair to have in a good
crop the present year.  As far as my experience goes
a new tree will grow just as well where you take
out a tree that [has] the yellows as is would if
the tree had been in the best of health.  You
can't set a tree in an orchard if the trees were
all young,- as the old trees shade the ground
with their wide spreading tops, keeping off the
rain & dew, and with their long roots sap the
ground of the nourishent that the young
tree needs to make it grow. I think the young
tree starves to death.  Two years ago I put in
new trees in place of those taken out on
account of the yellows.  I gave the ground a liberal
dressing of leached ashes, and you never
saw finer looking tree than these are at the
present time - full of fruit buds and capable of
holding from one to two bask. [baskets] of peaches. * * *

Yours truly,
W. H. McCormick
        