IVijiicr Meeting. 145 



crops in one season. I think fruit buds formed early in the summer are 

 better than those formed late in the summer. In north Missouri in rich, 

 deep, black soil, late formed buds are not apt to set much fruit. Manage 

 to have the buds set early in the summer. This may not be desirable 

 in south Missouri where the soil is not so rich and the season is dryer. 

 With us 1,500 girdled trees, which formed their fruit buds early, set 

 more than twice as much fruit as those not girdled, though all these 

 trees had a full bloom. As other conditions were the same, I reason 

 that the earlier formed buds were stronger. I favor the early formation 

 of fruit buds. 



J. C. Evans. — I am much encouraged by observation in the last two 

 or three months, for the prospect of a crop next year. I said the buds 

 were formed in August while the tree was still growing. This year 

 many orchards have formed the fruit buds while yet in a growing con- 

 dition. 1 feel hopeful for a full apple crop next year. 



Secy. Goodman. — ^When is the proper time, with no abnormal con- 

 ditions, for the formation of the apple buds? 



Mr. Ferguson. — The conclusions I have reached are these. The 

 first part of the growing season we have a vigorous growth. When the 

 air gets warmer and the water in the soil and the air is reduced, the 

 fruit buds are formed. When normal conditions check the vigorous 

 growth of the early part of the season, then the buds are formed. Later 

 in the season there is an accumulation of food in these buds. Too much 

 water or too much cultivation will have a tendency to keep up wood 

 growth late in the season, and thus hinder the formation of fruit buds. 



Prof. John Craig. — Both fruit buds and leaf buds are developed from 

 ihe same material. I do not think any investigator can place his pen 

 upon the. very moment when the buds are formed. I once had a letter 

 from a Missouri man who had a large orchard which bore a crop on the 

 even years. He wished to plant another orchard for the odd years, and 

 asked for information to enable him to do this. 



Prof. Whitten spoke of the vegetative and the reproductive tendency 

 in trees and other plants. If we could properly control and balance these 

 two forces there would be no need of "ofi years" for the trees to rest 

 up ; but we have a full program and, I must stop. 



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