Question Box. 



ORCHARD AND SMALL FRUITS. 



Fertilization and Cake. 



(Some answers by J. H. Hale of Connecticut.) 



Question. — How shall we get color into apples ? 



Answer. — Potash and sunshine add color. Nature does the 

 work when it has a chance. Too much nitrogen makes a pale 

 color. As a rule, 200 pounds of potash is recommended per acre, 

 but I use 300 to 400 pounds. Wood ashes have a value for their 

 potash, phosphoric acid and lime. 



Question. — Would it be advisable to sow oats among peach 

 trees, the first year ? 



Answer. — No, sir. 



Question. — Name four varieties of peaches for this locality 

 (Orleans county) for a commercial orchard? 



Answer. — Mountain Rose, Champion, Old Mixon and Stump 

 for white; Crosby, Sal way, St. John and Elberta for yellow. 



Question. — Are tight boxes preferred for packing fruit? 



Answer. — The tighter the package, the better, if the fruit is 

 picked and packed when dry. 



Question. — What kind of packages does Mr. Hale use for 

 peaches ? 



Answer. — Our southern peaches are packed in Georgia car- 

 riers, holding four six-quart baskets. In Connecticut we use a 

 half bushel package. 



Question. — How often should peach trees be grubbed? 



Answer. — So long as there are any grubs; as a rule, twice a 

 year, in May and September. The best preventive against borers 

 is banking the trees a foot high in May, with earth. 



Question. — At what season is it best to prune peach trees, and 

 would you cut them back each year? 



Answer. — Cut them back each year early before tlfe buds 

 begin to swell. The best time is after the coldest winter weather 

 is over. 



