210 ANNUAL REPORT OP THE Off. Doc. 



that are required, aud yet we hear very little of these in connectioD 

 with orchard fertilizing. 



Looking more into the details, in these two blocks we put potash, 

 in one of the muriate, and the other the sulphate. This is done 

 because we do not know but that there may be something in the 

 form in which potash is applied. Brooks, of Massachusetts, got 

 very little benefit of muriate of potash, but got the greatest benefit 

 when he put on phosphorus, plus potash, as a sulphate. In these next 

 blocks we put on phosphate, both in the acid form and in the raw 

 rock. We generally consider the acid form to be preferable. It is 

 impossible, however, that there are some conditions in which the 

 raw form will be just as good — perhaps better. The apple orchard 

 doesn't require the immediate availability demanded by annual 

 plants. If it doesn't get the plant food one year, it will still have 

 a chance at it the next. Also, in soils rich in iron the acid phosphate 

 is likely to revert to an iron compound, which is less soluble than 

 the original raw rock. Under these conditions the latter may be 

 preferable. If it is, it will come out in the experiment. Turning 

 to the village experiment, it is being conducted on eight acres, and 

 involves the four principal cultural methods in common use. We 

 believe that no man who is in the orchard business can afford to 

 go on putting things into the soil, and following methods that he has 

 not proved to be of value to him; and we believe there is no better 

 way of determining what he should do than by setting off a part of 

 his planting and fairly trying the different treatments and methods. 

 Try them on a small area, and then accept or reject them, as the 

 case warrants. 



Here is a chart showing pruning tests. We all know the man who, 

 with no knowledge of orcharding and less of pruning, always has a 

 fine crop of apples — a much better crop than his neighbor, who fol- 

 lows better methods. There is no apparent reason ; he confidentially 

 tells you that it is all in the man. We believe it is something else. 

 We want to find out what there is in this question of pruning, how 

 much of it is necessary, and what form of pruning is best; whether 

 headed and pruned lightly, or headed and pruned heavil}^, to vase 

 form, or headed and pruned heavily to sphere form, as they do very 

 successfully in West Virginia. On the time of pruning, we have 

 divided our tests into spring pruning, before blossoming; summer 

 pruning, avoiding auxiliary branching; fall or winter pruning, root 

 pruning and girdling. The latter is used successfully in some places, 

 but we do not recommend it. Occasionally, where the tree is going 

 to wood, it might be possible to make some practical use of girdling, 

 and if the girdle is put on the tree in the right place, it is probably 

 safe; but to girdle limbs and miscellaneous places is likely to be 

 dangerous to the life of the tree. 



In parts of Arkansas they have practiced girdling the tree with 

 as much as one inch girdle every year for the past three years, with 

 good results in crops and no apparent ill effects on the trees. 



In conclusion, I will summarize briefly. Ai)ple orcharding should 

 be most profitable in Pennsylvania, because of natural advantages 

 and the convenience of general and home markets. 



In no other way can we render greater assistance to Pennsylvania 

 agriculture than in directing it into the most profitable lines. Present 



