Winter Meeting. 321 



Dr. Burrill — We can double the crop by proper soil management. 



Secretary Goodman — In. large orchards, I am sure, that even weed- 

 growing is often better than clean cultivation in the Ozarks. Growth 

 of weeds made orchards much better by adding humus to the soil and 

 soil more mellow and better every way. We rotate crops; winter- plow- 

 ing is followed by summer fallow. Sow clover the next spring. Some 

 of the land is plowed in June and sowed to cow peas. Leave some 

 stand to grow weeds again. I am satisfied that summer fallow of 

 weeds, then seeding to clover or cow peas, improves the soil very much. 



Prof. Beach — In handling weeds, it is my opinion that it is much 

 better to keep them down and not allow them to grow unrestrained. 

 Mow two or three times to check the too vigorous growth, as it is trees 

 we want to grow. Trees must reach a certain degree of maturity be- 

 fore they can reproduce. Sometimes we have too much wood, but when 

 fruit buds begin to form the tree first provides for its own life the next 

 year. At the base of this year's leaf it begins forming the leaf for 

 next year. It must provide nourishment for the future, and when does 

 it begin this work? Prof. Goft" of Wisconsin found that the first pro- 

 vision for the fruit buds begins early in the season, about June. We like 

 to have cultivation during first part of the season up to July. If there are 

 heavy rains during the season would put what air was possible into the 

 soil to help drainage. Many times cultivation is best, even in a wet 

 season. 



Mr. Black, Clayton, Ills. — Late cultivation prevents the forming of 

 the fruit buds. 



Secretary Goodman — In winter plowing we leave the ground as 

 rough as possible. 



Mr. Barnes, Kansas — Mr. Wellhouse said he has lost more trees 

 from wet weather than from all other causes put together. 



Dr. Huston — The discussions all tend to the raising of trees and 

 not the production of fruit. It is important to have humus, air drain- 

 age, etc., but this is but one side of the question, and was getting the 

 orchard all out of balance. Many a tree can be increased as to hardiness 

 if fed right. Sometimes it is like feeding a child water and mush- 

 rooms. Do not criticise what you have done, but what you have not" 

 done. Think we often culivate too late and keep the tree growing too 

 late in the season. Fertilizers are many kinds, and we should know 

 what the soils need. How much plant food of a certain kind does the 

 soil and tree need to supplement what is already available? Whatever 

 the tree uses up in the production of a crop of fruit will give the basis 

 of the needs of the tree. Should pay less attention to brands of fertil- 



H-21 



