REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 295 



clover just before picking and let it remain on the ground. 

 Plow this under early the following spring. 



Buckwheat is recommended by many for a cover crop. This 

 should be sown in July. If rye is used do not sow until later; 

 last of August or first of September. 



The cover crop serves as a mulch for the ground, to retain 

 moisture, and as a source of nitrogen supply in case of clover. 



MULCHING. 

 One of the essentials to a good crop of apples is the applica- 

 tion of a good mulch around the trees. This should be put on 

 just after haying. Swale hay or any poor quality of refuse 

 straw or hay is just what is needed for this purpose. A good 

 liberal quantity should be applied. 



THINNING APPLES. 

 There are many benefits to be derived from the thinning of 

 the fruit on trees that set a heavy crop of apples. One year of 

 overbearing may cause an irreparable damage to the tree. The 

 amount of energy that a tree has to put forth during the last 

 few weeks of the development of the fruit is beyond computa- 

 tion. No wonder the fruiting period comes but once in two 

 years, with many varieties. The circulation of the sap is much 

 like that of the blood in the human body. The crude sap as it 

 passes up the tree from the roots must go to the leaves to be 

 elaborated into the life giving elements that combine to form 

 the new growth of the tree itself. To this regular work comes 

 the added strain of seed and fruit production. If the tree can- 

 not have a sufficient supply of the elements necessary for this 

 extra work it will fail to stand the strain and the result will be 

 the weakening of the whole structure. By a judicious thinning 

 of the fruit this extra strain on the tree's resources will be 

 regulated so as to prevent disaster to the tree. Another benefit 

 to be derived would be in securing a better quality. The size 

 of the apple would be increased, and the color would be 

 improved. It stands to reason that if a tree, which is heavily 

 loaded with fruit, has one-fourth of the apples removed by the 

 first of July, it will yield a much better crop as far as color, size 

 and flavor are concerned, than if it had carried the whole crop. 

 If there is a question regarding the above statement, instead of 



