246 ANNUAL. REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



PEOF. MASSEY: I think that the matter of moisture from the 

 air would have very little to do with the effect of these chemicals; 

 you have got to get a larger amount of moisture by a good deal 

 than would come from that source. 



QUESTION: Please repeat that statement in reference to the 

 use of lime on alkaline soils, etc. 



PROF. MASSEY: I did not speak of using lime on soils already 

 alkaline; I spoke of restoring feeble alkalinity in soils which is fav- 

 orable to clover. 



QUESTION: Is it not true that early fruiting in fruit trees, 

 shortens the lives of the trees, the same law holding true in animal 

 life? If so, isn't it a question if trees should be thrown into early 

 fruiting, especially a fine tree? 



PROF. MASSEY: Well, that is a matter for a man to consider 

 in regard to the profits which he is seeking to get out of a tree; 

 w'hether he is going to profit for a few years or for many years. 

 There are some varieties of trees that are early bearers and usually 

 short-lived trees. The longest lived apple trees are a great many 

 years coming into fruiting. 



QUESTION: Many farmers take all bark off of the trunks of old 

 trees, claiming that it produces fruit. Why do these trees not die? 

 Does not the sap run between the cambium and bark? 



PROF. MASSEY: Well, the new growth, if you take it at a cer- 

 tain time of the year, if you are careful not to too much interfere 

 with what is called a cambium layer or the ^-ojinger cells and bark 

 that exert the drawing influence on the air, it may be done, but 

 it is a serious check, however, to the tree; it may throw a very 

 rapidly growing tree into fruiting, but I think there are other 

 methods that might be used which are safer. You may make a 

 mistake and kill the tree. 



QUESTION: Would you use cow peas instead of clover when you 

 can grov/ either? Which should have the preference? 



PROF. MASSEY: I should use cow peas to put in as a catch crop 

 in any place that I had for them vacant. I should depend upon 

 clover as a regular thing, all the time. 



MR. SEEDS: What variety of seeds should you use? 



PROF. MASSEY: It depends upon where you live; whippoorwill 

 is good for the average conditions in Pennsylvania. 



MR. SEEDS: Which would be the best in a short season? 



PROF. MASSEY: The New Era and Warren's Extra Early; they 

 are both seeds that will ripen in sixty days. Wherever you find 

 that you have ninety days of warm weather, the Whippoorwill will 

 do very well, 



QUTESTIOlSr: Is it too late to sow them now? 



