114 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



interesting kind of experiment, sliowino- tluit tlie eifeet of tlic spray ap- 

 plied upon the dormant tree acts as a fertilizer and it opens up another 

 suggestive line as to the method of applying fertilizer. In this experi- 

 ment, a large quantity of Nil rate of Soda was api)lied on the soil of one 

 Iree and did not have anything like the elTect that a very much smaller 

 (jnantity of Nitrate of Soda ajjplied in the form of a spray. 



This work has been jnentioned very briefly in a few eastern journals 

 and has called forth considerable conunent. Fruit growers in this part 

 of the country ar-e naturally inquiring as to its possible merits for 

 eastern conditions. Experiments are under way to determine this but 

 it is somewhat doubtful whether fruit growers would care to do anything 

 to their fruit trees that would hasten their blossoming in the spring. 

 There is now considerable danger in many locations from late spring 

 frosts injuring the blossoms. We all know that orchards near large bod- 

 ies of water come into blossom later than those inland and we know the 

 great advantages that come from this late blossoming. It is probable that 

 rather the reverse would be more desired in this country, that is if we 

 could get something that would delay the blossoming of the trees rather 

 than hasten. 



It is just possible that there may be a valuable point in this line of 

 investigation by hastening the blossoming of certain varieties that are 

 self-sterile so that they will blossom at the time other varieties that are 

 valuable as pollinators for these self-sterile kinds, are at their best for 

 pollinizors. 



PLANT STIMULATION- VALUABLE. 



There may be value in the method of stimulating plants in this way 

 with garden plants or florist's plants. As to its value in stimulating 

 plants recently transplanted into the field or into the greenhouse, it may 

 develop to be well worth while. 



We have, for the past two years, made experiments using one pound 

 of Nitrate of Soda in one gallon of water, leaving out the caustic potash 

 and there have been no perceptible results. This has been tried on 

 dormant trees of many varieties with no results and on apple trees after 

 they had started to grow with somewhat disastrous results. This solution 

 very seriously burned the young foliage and destroyed the blossom buds. 

 It seems very desirable that a small amount of Caustic Potash be added 

 to the solution to secure results that can be readily distinguished. 



Undoubtedly, you will notice from time to time, reference to these 

 Western experiments and you are asked to judge these in a very broad, 

 impartial manner and to obseiwe where they may really be of detriment 

 in this country. 



Some ten years ago, there was a discussion of the possibility of using 

 a powder and dusting it on fi-uit trees instead of spraying them with a 

 li(iuid. Obviously, if this could be done with the assurance of satis- 

 factory results and at no increase in the expense for materials, it would 

 have many advantages. In one of these early tests at the Illinois Station, 

 three years experience showed clearly that the dust method was very 

 much inferior to the liquid methods both in controlling fungi and insects. 



This w^as at the time when bordeaux mixture was the only fungicide 

 used in orchards and these tests were made with liquid and dry 

 bordeaux. 



