THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 375 



Suggestive Orchard Bulletin — Bulletin 134 of the Pennsylvania 

 Agricultural Experiment Station gives results from experiments in 

 orchard practice that are of much interest to all orchardists. Cali- 

 fornia is far distant from Pennsylvania, yet all localities have much in 

 common, and many of the principles underlying orchard management 

 are the same in all localities. 



It was found that the method of propagation was immaterial. Others 

 have reached the same conclusion. Seedling root stocks are objection- 

 able, and standardization is valuable for roots as well as tops. That 

 selecting scions from superior trees is valuable has not been proved, 

 3''et is in some degree affirmed. Paragon and Tolman are recommended 

 for stocks. 



It has been found that dynamiting gives no lasting benefit. The 

 great need in orchard practice is conservation of moisture. This in- 

 sures thrift and stimulates fruiting. Such conservation is best accom- 

 plished by a mulch of stable fertilizer containing much straw. If this 

 is not available, cover crops and cultivation must be practiced. Inter- 

 cropping with potatoes, corn, beans and pears for the first seven years 

 would not harm the trees, if the latter are well mulched, and would 

 yield a good profit. In California this course should only be followed 

 when abundant water is at command. Cover crops make heavy demand 

 on moisture, and great caution is required or the trees Avill suffer for 

 lack of water. Hairy vetch, millet and buckwheat are recommended 

 for cover crops. While buckwheat would add to the orchardist's in- 

 come, we believe that in the long run vetch Avould be found the most 

 profitable. Alfalfa is praised as a cover crop and for profit, as the 

 large product from this would be valuable either for hay or for pur- 

 poses of fertilization, yet if alfalfa is grown, the trees should be heavily 

 mulched for some distance from the trunk. Old orchards respond to 

 mulching or to good tillage, and often it may pay well to use stable 

 manure or commercial fertilizer. A complete fertilizer consisting of 

 6 per cent nitrogen, 8 per cent phosphorus (P2O5), and 4 per cent 

 potash (KoO) for each acre has been found valuable and is recom- 

 mended Avhere for any reason stable fertilizer is unavailable. One- 

 fourth of a ton of commercial fertilizer is used per acre. The fertilizer 

 had best be applied after the fruit sets, for then the amount to be used 

 can be gauged by the quantity of fruit on the trees. In young orchards 

 commercial fertilizer seems to do little good, but conservation of 

 moisture is all important. Stable fertilizer, mulch and good cultivation 

 are strongly recommended. From experience and observation we be- 

 lieve these suggestions may well be considered by California orchardists. 

 —A. J. C. 



