Page 14 



BETTER FRUIT 



May, 1920 



inferior stock. Auction sales of frozen 

 apples as low as 25 cents a box were 

 recorded. 



During the past season a greater num- 

 ber of cars were rolled unsold than in 

 previous seasons and to prevent rejec- 

 tions many allowances or concessions 

 were granted. Numerous diversion 

 orders were placed in the effort to 

 locate markets for the rolling cars. 



alone have produced apples worth 

 marketing. 



All the apple trees, except the Deli- 

 cious, now adorn the woodpile. A little 

 more time will be given to see if these 

 too will meet that fate. 



A Dryland Orchard 



By II. P. Misel. 



Dryland orchards are a rarity around 

 the irrigated district of Wenatchcc. 

 However, twelve years ago my father, 

 G. W. Misel, set out an orchard, where 

 no water was obtainable, in the cove of 

 a hill near Wenatchee. Experience has 

 shown how the setting might be im- 

 proved for more profitable returns. 



The original trees were principally 

 Jonathan, White Winter, Pearmain and 

 Rome Beauty apples and Moorpark ap- 

 ricots. Keen application was given to 

 dry land methods of culture, spraying 

 and pruning. A dust mulch preserved 

 enough moisture to produce large wood 

 growth, although the average rainfall 

 is only around fifteen inches. 



The apple trees started bearing at 

 three years of age and produced mar- 

 ketable apples until about nine years 

 old. The spring of 1917 the limbs were 

 all filled with blossoms and the trees 

 were loaded with a heavy crop of fruit. 

 Although well thinned, all the apples 

 except the Delicious failed to gain mar- 

 ketable size. Sinre then the Delicious 



number of apricot trees desired and as 

 the old apricot trees cease bearing to 

 replace them with young trees. These 

 will come into bearing at irregular pe- 

 riods, thereby keeping the production 

 constant. The new orchard would 

 therefor be made up of trees of one 

 kind requiring less work to raise and 

 producing a better and more regular 

 crop. 



Dryland oichaid maintained by a replanting 

 system. 



The apricots started bearing when 

 they were two years old and increased 

 greatly in yield each year. This fruit 

 was unusually large in size and fine in 

 quality. The yield per tree was also 

 large and the demand has always been 

 good. Within the last two years a few 

 of the apricot trees have quit bearing, 

 apparently from old age. 



The practical plan now adopted is to 

 replace the apple trees with nearly the 



^Phosphorous A Necessary 

 Plant Food 



Phosphorous is one of the necessary 

 plant food elements for the growth of 

 all crops and is lacking in an available 

 form in many Oregon soils, according to 

 C. V. Ruzek, professor of soil fertility 

 at the College Experiment Station. In 

 most systems of farming phosphorous 

 is lost from the soil, being absorbed in 

 part by the plant. For this reason it 

 must be supplied by purchasing phos- 

 phate fertilizer. 



"Phosphorous affects the crops by in- 

 creasing the percentage of grain as com- 

 pared to the straw," said Professor 

 Ruzek. "It also causes crops to mature 

 from 16 to 19 days earlier. The rooting 

 system, especially of young plants, is 

 stimulated. 



"There are three phosphate fertiliz- 

 ers available for agricultural use in 

 Oregon — super or acid phosphate, bone 

 meal, and rock phosphate. Super phos- 

 phate is used most extensively. It is 

 manufactured by mixing a ton of rock 

 phosphate with a ton of sulphuric acid. 



And in the berry fields 



THE 



American Beauty 

 Dust Sprayer 



Gives best protection 



at lowest cost 



per man and 



per acre. 



It is crop insurance 



Price, $22.50 



The California Sprayer Co. 



6001-11 Pasadena Avenue 

 Los Angeles, California 



WHEN WRITING ADVERTISERS MENTION BETTER FRUIT 



