EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS 301 



FRUIT TESTS AT SOUTH HAVEN. 



REPORT BY T. T. LYON. 



Bulletin No. 143. — Horticultural Department. 



lo Prof. L. R. Taft, Horticulturist: 



Sir — As during the years 1894 and 1895, so during the spring of 1896 

 there was no adequate rainfall in this immediate vicinity until the middle 

 of July. This necessitated hauling water by team for irrigating such 

 plants as were not yet well established. This continued until July 7th, at 

 which date the mains of the village water works became available, and a 

 permanent supply upon the premises was secured, although the use of a 

 team with barrels was yet necessary when water was to be applied beyond 

 the reach of a hose. Since the occurrence of the copious rains, above 

 referred to, however, resort to the artificial application of water has rarely 

 been found necessary. 



For the double purpose of subduing weeds and maintaining a surface 

 mulch of mellow earth, free use has been made of the Acme cultivator 

 among the older trees, and of a fine toothed one, or a Planet, Jr., among 

 younger trees and small fruit plants, especially after the occurrence of rain. 

 This was continued until about the middle ol August, after which all culti- 

 vation was discontinued, except in a few special cases. 



The entire plantation was sprayed in* early spring, while growth was yet 

 •dormant, with a solution of a pound of copper sulphate in twenty-five gal- 

 lons of water. This was applied to gooseberries and currants (which start 

 very early) on March 10th, and to all other small fruits prior to April 17th. 

 For the purpose of comparison, only alternate trees of the cherries, peaches 

 and plums, in the southwest block were treated, commencing with the first. 

 Later examination shows a slight difference only, in favor of the sprayed 

 trees, in a few cases. 



Subsequent sprays were applied at sundry times during the season for 

 various purposes. These will be noticed under the heads of the several 

 fruits to which such applications were made. 



The rules of pomology of the American Pomological Society (which are 

 also the rules of the National Division of Pomology), are rigidly applied 

 in the nomenclature of fruits, objectionable words being added in brackets 

 only when deemed needful to avoid ambiguity, but with the hope that 

 ultimately they may be wholly omitted, in the interest of simplicity, 

 brevity and correct taste. 



The weight, in ounces, of an average specimen of each variety is given 

 as indicating the comparative importance thereof; this being deemed to be 



