INDIANA HOETICULTUHAL SOCIETY. 289 



first few years would obviate that to some extent. Most growers prefer 

 to cut out the center branches so as to leave the tree open to admit the 

 light. In the south it does not make so much difference, because there is 

 a good deal of sun there. We always practice spring pruning, shortening 

 in of the growth, and thinning out. The lower branches are sometimes cut 

 off from the peach tree. I thinli this, in most instances, is a mistake. We 

 have quite a good deal of pruning that growers term "cow-tail pruning;" 

 the lower branches are taken off and you have a tuft of leaves upon the 

 upper exti*emity of the branches, giving the branches the appearance of 

 the term, and the lower part of the branches will be entirely destitute of 

 foliage. This is a mistake. In a short time the trees will become very 

 tall, and it will become quite an item in picking, and it also brings the 

 fruit out on the ends of the branches and they are quite liable to break 

 down. 



Low heading should be practiced, where it can be; it is much easier 

 to handle the fruit, and it is much easier to spray the trees; and they stand 

 against the high winds much better than otherwise. 



Yesterday we had the subject of fertilization of the orchard discussed, 

 so I shall not touch upon that to any great extent today. The matter of 

 fertilizing the orchard is a very important one, especially upon the lighter 

 lands. Professor Huston, have you some formulas for mixing ingredients 

 to use upon the orchards? We have not done much in Michigan, as yet, 

 toward using commercial fertilizers, but we will have to in a short time. 

 At the present time we rely mostly upon stable manure and wood ashes 

 and gi-ound bone. The wood ashes, where they are to be gotten, is one 

 of the best fertilizers we can use, but the supply in Michigan is getting 

 very limited. I think we will soon have to come to some form of potash, 

 or ground bone is always good and the effect is lasting. 



Member: Will you tell us the formula the Michigan peach growers 

 use for fertilizer? It is made in what quantities? 



Professor Fulton: I could not answer that satisfactorily. There are 

 few of our growers who have used commercial fertilizers. 



Member: I think Mr. uses wood ashes and phosphates in 



some form. 



Professor Fulton: I am not positive as to the kind of phosphate he 



uses. 



Member: Do you know how often they fertilize, every year or every 

 other year? 



Professor Fulton: About every other year, I think; it would depend 

 somewhat upon the crop. Where we use wood ashes and barnyard ma- 

 nure, it depends somewhat upon the crop we get as to how often the 



19 — Agriculture. 



