igi} 



BETTER FRUIT 



Page 2j 



tli;it owing to former soil conditions 

 and tiie long years of clean cultivation 

 given, which destroyed practically all 

 of the organic matter of the soil, that 

 the reintroduction of organic matter 

 in large quantities, largely explains the 

 apparent inconsistency between results 

 in orchard No. 1 and orchard No. 2. 



Looking at the subject from an un- 

 prejudiced standpoint these are facts 

 we want to know, because there is an 

 abundance of just such information 

 going to waste all around us and should 

 become conunon knowledge. Often- 

 times an experimenter starts out to 

 prove a definite preconceived idea re- 

 garding orchard fertilization, and if his 

 vision is sulliciently narrow and his 

 determination sufTiciently great he usu- 

 ally collects enough data to prove his 

 case. In my judgment these facts re- 

 lating to orchard No. 1 in no wise mini- 

 mize the importance of results secured 

 in orchard No. 2, or in orchard No. 1 

 as far as that is concerned. They 

 simply throw additional light upon the 

 whole subject of orchard fertilization 

 and compel us to look at the problem 

 not from the standpoint of commercial 

 fertilizers alone but also from the 

 viewpoint of many other factors affect- 

 ing the soil and which enter into the 

 production of high-class fruit. 



What are the conclusions we may 

 safely draw for the average grower 

 from work of this kind. First, I would 

 say reservedly, "Don't be too enthu- 

 siastic." Now, that should mean a 

 great deal to a body of trained horti- 

 culturists such as you. There is a very 

 delicate balance existing in the tree 

 between fruit production on the one 

 hand and wood production on the 

 other. Either, pushed to extremes, is 

 accompanied by failure. It is obvious 

 from the figures herewith presented 

 that it is easily possible to overdo the 

 whole thing. 



Again, I have explained what were 

 the governing factors which led up to 

 the problems I have just discussed. Re- 

 call that owing to the years of clean 

 cultivation given organic matter was 

 practically depleted in the soil. The 

 logical and sensible thing to do under 

 these circumstances is to restore this 

 organic matter as quickly as possible 

 and thereafter maintain it in sufTicient 

 quantities to prevent a recurrence of 

 the trouble. This fact should be con- 

 stantly uppermost in your mind, that 

 while nitrate of soda can very greatly 

 improve the physical condition of the 

 tree it cannot do the same thing for 

 the soil. The greatest benefit to be 

 derived from its use lies in the fact that 

 it is a quick-acting fertilizer and en- 

 ables the grower to tide over periods 

 when the demands upon the soil are 

 sufficient to justify its use. That it is 

 a cheap fertilizer in normal times is 

 also another factor of great importance, 

 but in my judgment it will never be 

 able to compete with that form of 

 nitrogen which may be fixed and main- 

 tained in the soil by the judicious use 

 of shade and cover crops. That it has 

 been a great factor in covering a pres- 

 ent need is obvious. Just what part it 

 will play in a definite rotation in this 

 valley should one become established 



is a matter of conjecture, and time only 

 can tell. In my judgment it will always 

 play an important factor in high-class 



Orchard Plat 

 No. I No. 

 I 1914 



Pounds per 

 Tree 



1915 



5.6 

 5.6 

 5.6 



5.6 

 5.6 

 5.6 



Treatment 



fruit production in the Hood River 

 Valley and possibly elsewhere where 

 similar conditions prevail. 



Yields, Loose Boxes i Terminal Growth 

 I Inches 



1916 



No fertilizer 



6.75 

 6.75 

 6.75 



6.75 

 6.75 

 6.75 



No fertilizer 



Clover manure 

 Clover manure 

 Clover manure 

 Clover manure 



Sod 



Sod 



Sod 



Sod 



I 1914 I 1915 I 1916 I Avg. | 1914-15 | 1915-16 



15.2 



11.4 



13.9 



6.9 



8.4 



10.3 



10.9 



6.6 



20.1 

 17.1 

 16.1 

 19.9 

 15.4 



8.4 

 14.7 



5.2 



The Southern Pacific Railway has 

 issued special low round-trip rates to 

 all Southern California points. There 

 is no place in the entire United States 

 more delightful in winter time, either 

 in climate or scenery, than Southern 

 California. 



The 1917 Rpple Crop.— On account 



of the very heavy apple crop of 1916, 

 it is fair to assume in advance that the 

 1917 apple crop will be much smaller. 

 It is a matter of fact and record that 

 heavy apple crops tlo not follow each 

 other two years in succession. 



Frank Dorr, Wasco, Cal,, and his J. H. Hale Peaches, from trees planted in 1914 



The J. H. Hale Peach Is a Tested and Proved Success 



This really wonderful peach is particularly suited to the requirements of 

 Pacific Coast growers. It will ship safely to most distant markets and will 

 bring the highest prices in competition with the best commercial varieties. It 

 combines all of the good money-making points of the best commercial varieties, 

 and has them to a greater degree. It has better color, is more dependable 

 bearer, averages a third to a half larger and will ontship any of them two to 

 one. Read Mr. Hale's Own Story in our catalog — how he tested it for over 

 eight years before he was willing to give it his name. Since then it has been 

 planted and tested in a large way by leading peach growers in all parts of the 

 country. They say "Mr. Hale was too conservative in his description" — that 

 "he didn't tell half the story." Let us send you reports of growers in nearly 

 every state who have fruited this great peach. Send for our free catalog. 



True to name, safe arrival and pass- 

 ing of most rigid inspection 

 guaranteed 



"Your trees are the hardiest, best 

 rooted stock we receive, well packed 

 and in good condition. Were 1 to order 

 trees for myself. 1 would order them 

 from your nursery." — H. B. M. Hall, 

 Quarantine Inspector, California. 



"I am pleased to tell you that I have 

 got a fine crop of J. H. Hale peaches 

 from the trees you sent me by parcel 

 post." — H. Ivison, Yokohama, Japan. 



Vff LUAMftSnUMt 



^'GUAftAMTSCD -^ 

 VTRtej&PtAMTS » 



New 1917 Catalog-FREE 



Concise, complete and up-to-date. 

 160 pages — many pictures. Contains 

 new information never printed before, 

 such as table of picking, ripening and 

 storage dates for apples. Describes 

 the proved varieties of fruits, berries, 

 shrubs, etc. It is easy to find what 

 you want quickly. Prices are printed 

 in plain figures. Our catalogs are used 

 in horticultural classes in many schools 

 and colleges. To secure reliable in- 

 formation, high quality and safe de- 

 livery at reasonable price, buy direct 

 from our catalog. 



"A Wonderful Help to 

 Fruit Growers" 



it tells how to plant, 

 prune, spray, cultivate, etc. 

 Endorsed by beginners and 

 experts. 10c per copy — 

 Free with $2 orders. 



"How to Beautify Your 

 Home Grounds" 



Tells how to m;ike your 

 own plans for planting to 

 add attractiveness and val- 

 ue to your property. 10c per 

 copy— Free with $2 orders. 



Wm. P. Stark Nurseries 

 ziz StwtkOty/no. 



Address and Name 

 AreBoththeSame 



WILLIAM P. STARK NURSERIES, Box 370, Slark City. Missouri 



□ Please send catalog Free. □ I enclose 10c for "Inside Facts." 



Q I enclose 10c for "How to Beautify Your Home Grounds." 



(Write name and address on margin below, giving county, street or R. F. D. No.) 



WHEN WRITING ADVERTISERS MENTION BETTER PRUIT 



