FIFTY-FIUST ANNUAL UEPOUT. 45 



have proper preparation, liiniiif!;. etc., to grow alfalfa. Practically all 

 of the failures to grow alfalfa in Michigan have been due to this lack of 

 preparation. Probably the best results will l)e secured by growing tlu- 

 trees under clean cultivation for a year or two, fertilizing well with 

 nitrate of soda. Seed to alfalfa and when the first crop is ready to cut, 

 use a part of it for a mulch supplemented Ijy commercial fertilizers. 

 Harvest the entire next crops, but use a part of the last crop for a mulch. 

 While the trees are very small very little mulching material will be 

 necessary, but as the trees grow older and larger this amount must be 

 increased. 



Some growers say that alfalfa takes too much moisture from the 

 bearing orchard and will not grow it for that reason, but there are no 

 facts to back up those statements. There are no bearing orchards in 

 alfalfa sod in Michigan which have been grown there. If the practise 1 

 have suggested is followed, that is, mulching supplemented by commer- 

 cial fertilizers, there is no reason to believe that the bearing orchard will 

 suffer from lack of moisture. Alfalfa is deep rooted and after it is well 

 established it \vill not compete with the trees for moisture to any extent. 



There is one objection to the system which must not be overlooked. 

 Alfalfa produced a succulent growth late in the fall which furnishes an 

 ideal place for the buffalo tree hopper. This insect feeds on the alfalfa and 

 late in the fall goes to the trees and lays eggs in the branches and twigs, 

 the result being that young trees are sometimes severely injured or 

 killed. After the tree is four or five years old the damage is very slight. 

 This pest will be met with in many orchards where alfalfa is not grown 

 so it is not considered a reason for not adopting the practise. The bene- 

 fits more than balance any harm that may be done. A large number of 

 orchards are being sowed to alfalfa and we expect that within a very 

 few years it will be common practise among the growers of the state. 



ADVERTISING FRUITS. 



A. D. SMITH, DETROIT, MICH. 



Everyone knows that advertising plays an extremely important pari 

 in any business of to-da3\ It is equally as important in the business 

 of horticulture as it is in anj' other business. Yet compared with groups 

 in other enterprises, the orchard men have done practically nothing in 

 this line! Take for example the tobacco industry — each year sees ne^A 

 brands of cigars and cigarettes crowded into the market and finding a 

 ready sale. There never seems to be a slump in the tobacco trade, 

 useless merchandise that it is! This is purely a result of successful 

 advertising. On the other hand nearly every j^ear sees a slump and lo^^■ 

 prices in fruits, useful and healthy merchandise. Why is this ^o? 

 Largely, if not totally, because of inadequate advertising. Something- 

 must be done! 



Aside from the usual exhibits at fairs and horticultural shows, I believe 

 that the greatest opportunity for advertising fruits is thru the use of 

 window^ displays. These window displays are practical to both, the 

 large grower or co-operative association operating in cities, and also 

 the small grower selling thru the country store. 



