EXPERIMENT S^TATION WORK WITH PEACHES. 407 



with the roots extending in two opposite directions. When it came 

 time for laying them down the dirt was dug away from one side of the 

 tree wliich was then easily bent over and covered with evergreen 

 branches, corn stalks, or coarse straw. 



Before bending down the trees at the Missouri Station" the main 

 branches were shortened in about one-third of their length, then 

 drawn closely together and fastened with strong twine. After remov- 

 ing the earth from the roots on one side of the tree, the tree was care- 

 fully bent over in the opposite direction until it lay prostrate on the 

 ground where it was securely fastened with twine to stakes driven in 

 the ground. Trees thus bent over and covered with straw to the 

 depth of an inch were less subject to variation of temperature during 

 the winter than unprotected trees. In cold weather the trees were 

 warmer, and in warm weather colder than the outside temperature. 

 The labor cost, exclusive of material, it is estimated should not 

 exceed 10 to 15 cents per tree. In none of the experiments recorded 

 has there been any injury resulting to the tree from this practice and 

 normal crops of peaches have been secured. 



A variation from the usual method of bending over the trees is 

 reported by the Colorado Station. In many sections there peaches 

 fail four years out of five unless some winter protection is given. 

 The method described and recommended by W. Paddock of that sta- 

 tion'' is to dig a circle of earth about 4 feet in diameter around the 

 trees after the leaves have fallen. 



Water is then poured in and the tree worked back and forth until the roots are 

 loosened and the tree bent to the ground in the direction of least resistance. The 

 branches are then tied together and the tree covered with burlap and held in place 

 with earth. A light layer of earth is then thrown over the tree. As the blossom buds 

 begin to open the following spring, the covering is loosened to admit of light and air, 

 the blossoms are exposed to the sun gradually, and after all danger from frost is con- 

 sidered over, the trees are raised to an upright position and held in place by a couple 

 of props. When placing the trees in an upright position, the ground is again watered 

 and when wet enough the trees are raised without difficulty. 



To be successful the practice should be commenced with young 

 trees. 



WHITEWASHING AS A MEANS OF WINTER PROTECTION. 



J. C. Wliitten, of the Missouri Station, reports that he has been 

 successful in delaying the blooming period of peaches from three to 

 six days by whitewashing the trees.<= The principle involved in this 

 method of protection is that the whitewashed twigs absorb less heat 

 during spells of warm, sunshiny weather tha*n the normal dark col- 

 ored twigs and branches. The swelling of the buds of peach trees 



o Missouri Sta. Bui. 16. 

 6 Colorado Sta. Bui. 80. 

 c Missouri Sta. Bui. 38. 



