
          343

and thus kept up our peach commerce
or production.

But what trees I have had with "yellows"
convince me that the cultivation, what I have
used as fertilizers or what I have not used - 
in live of my experience - has had nothing to
do with it in their individual cases.  I
of course may be wrong, but such are my
honest impressions and experience in a life
of 52 years of close study & observation of the
source producer of my home & life comforts.

We have suffered as yet but slightly compared
to others, from the "yellows", but we are
surrounded and in great fear that our
ancestral favorite is soon to go from us
with this dreadful blight, if some means
cannot be found to stay its deadly ravages.

Hoping that you may soon unravel
this mystery of nature & be potent in shaking
off this nightmare to our prosperity.  I am
Sir, with much respect at your service
for anything I can do to assist you
in your important labors in this
regard.

John M. Reed.

P.S. If in Del. again call & see me. 
J. M. R.

[Dr. Ridgely, of Dover, told me Mr. Reed was one of 
the oldest and best informed fruit growers in
Delaware]
        