grape growers, in 1891, was $37,000, of which $13,000 was saved in the State of New York.       However, prevention is always best, and it may be that after we have ourselves learned to live in accordance with nature's laws and have spread our mantle of safety over the animals that have become as trusting children in our households, we shall find it worth while to protect these other remoter, humbler relatives, that, in innocent imitation, have kept pace with us all the way in sun and storm, grateful to care, sensitive to neglect, generous in returning what is bestowed upon them multiplied a thousand-fold.       The insecticides and fungicides which Prof. Fernald and Prof. Humphrey devise in their laboratories, Prof. Maynard applies to the orchards and gardens under his supervision. With leaf blights and fruit rots and powdery mildews, with tent caterpillars and cankerworms, the codling moth and the curculio, he makes no truce, employing the heavy artillery of knapsacks and horse engines as well as the light hydrosprayers and pumps. To the entomologist and the vegetable pathologist, the tree defoliated by insects or so preyed upon by fungous growths that its shrivelled leaves soon fall, is an instance of depredation or disease; to the horticulturist, something which he has cared for and cherished is in danger of its life. He realizes, as no other can, that in robbing the tree of its leaves the enemy has robbed it of hand and mouth and digestive organs, that the wood will fail to mature for lack of carbon, that the fruit will fail for lack of substances evolved from the carbon. Laboratory for Study of Plant Diseases.       The production of fruit is of necessity a weakening process, and the fruit bearers are the first to suffer, in their debilitated condition, from the winged or vegetative scourges. It is in the orchards and vineyards, then, that the merits of the sprays should find most satisfactory demonstration. This has been the case. There are twenty varieties of grapes which have never been successfully grown hitherto and which since the preservation of their leaves by copper sprays show an astonishing vigor. This is true of the Rogers hybrids, of the Delaware, and the Iona. Peaches, apples, and pears bear out the testimony. Next to fruit bearers, such plants as are grown under glass are peculiarly sensitive to infection, as cultivation always brings new diseases in its train. Here, too, the results are eminently gratifying.       The attacks of mice and woodchucks are not to be disregarded. Painting the trunks of the trees with Portland cement and Paris green has saved them from being girdled by the sharp little teeth.       Next in importance to the defences against insect and fungus and the attacks of small animals is the protection against the weather. Upon such protection hangs the destiny of the peach crop in New England. Every sort of experiment is being tried to time the attack of the cold and to meet its unkindly advances. The buds of the peach are examined once a week during the winter, five hundred buds being cut open at each examination. The trees have been shielded with straw and with building paper, and recently they have been "boxed" in a structure of lattice work lined with paper. On severe nights a lantern has been placed inside the quasi "house" to modify its temperature. In the case of large peach-trees it has been found practicable to cut the -- page 74 -- | Previous Page | Next Page | | Town of Amherst Page | Hampshire County | Western MA History & Genealogy | These pages are © Laurel O'Donnell, 2005, all rights reserved Copying these pages without written permission for the purpose of republishing in print or electronic format is strictly forbidden This page was last updated on 12 Sep 2005