FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT. 39 



and 500 pounds of potash. We use about 400 pounds of this to the 

 acre. Where we use from 1,200 pounds to a ton to the acre we get 

 better results. 



A Member — What is that on? 



Mr. Thompson — On the currants we use every spring from 1,000 to 

 1,200 pounds each year. We try to get barnyard manure on currants 

 every second year. Then plow down cover crops. Clover is doing pretty 

 well. However, we find that we are getting better results from the 

 straight goods then from the mixed fertilizer dollar for dollar. 



A Voice — By straight goods what do you mean? 



Mr. Thompson — I mean potash, nitrate, etc. I usually get a carload 

 of nitrate of soda and from two to three cars of potash each year. Some 

 years we do not use it all but it keeps over all right. Among the fruil 

 growers it is getting more and more a custom to use the straight goods 

 rather than the ordinary ready mixed commercial fertilizers. 



A Member — What experience have you had in limeing small fruits? 



Mr. Thompson — We have had some little experience, but I can not 

 see very much results on the clay land where part of it went on 

 orchard without excess of humus. On other land I think it would do 

 well-. 



A Member — What implements do you use to distribute the fertilizer? 



Mr. Thompson — There are several machines made for this purpose. The 

 one that has given us the best satisfaction we purchased from a firm 

 in Eo Chester. 



A Member — How many miles is it from your place to Winnipeg? You 

 stated you had 66 ceuts a hundred by the carload. 



Mr. Thompson — Something like 700 miles. 



PRUNING AND CULTIVATING. 



O. K. WHITE, EAST LANSING. 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Horticultural 

 Society : Unfortunately I was not here to hear what was said previous- 

 ly, and I may overlap some of the subjects already touched upon. I 

 do not know that I can say anything new to you men, especially those 

 of you who have been in the business for twenty-five years or morp. 

 A great many of you have had more experience than I have, but perhaps 

 I can say a few words that will be helpful to some here who may not 

 have had very much experience. And if I say something that you 

 are opposed to, or which is not in harmony with your experience, do mi! 

 hesitate to let us know. 



The pruning and cultivating of a young orchard are very important 

 parts of the growing of that orchard. It is safe to say that the first 

 two years of the starting of an orchard is as important as any two years 

 in its life that you might pick out, no matter what kind of fruit you 

 may be growing. I want to emphasis the fact that correct starting is 

 a mighty important thing, for if you make a mistake, you may never 

 be able to correct it. 



