408 REPOET OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



was found to be practically independent of root action. Warm 

 weather may produce growth in the buds whether the ground is 

 frozen or not. Even zero weather may Idll fruit buds if they have 

 been swollen previously by warm weather or were not properly 

 ripened in the fall. 



In the station experiments the whitened buds remained practi- 

 cally dormant until April, while unprotected buds swell perceptibly 

 during warm days late in February and early in March. By the use 

 of whitewash about 80 per cent of the buds came through the winter 

 safel}^, wliile on the unsprayed trees only 20 per cent passed the 

 winter unharmed. Thermometer tests showed that when the buds 

 were covered with green, purple, or black material, the temperature 

 in bright sunshine was from 10° to 15° higher than when the buds 

 were covered with white material. 



The most efficient whitewash was made from lime with one-fifth 

 skim milk added to the water and 1 pound of salt per bucket full. 

 The whitewash was applied with a spray pump, four sprayings being 

 given during the winter and spring. Two sprayings were given at the 

 beginning to insure whitening. About half a bucket full of white- 

 wash was used per tree at each spraying. The entire expense of the 

 four sprayings Professor T\Tiitten states may not exceed 10 cents per 

 tree. 



MISCELLANEOUS METHODS OF WINTER PROTECTION. 



Cornstalks have been used at the Missouri Station" as a winter 

 protection for peach trees. The limbs of the trees were first drawTi 

 together with a rope, then covered with cornstalks and the whole 

 bound into a bundle. The covered trees blossomed two days later 

 and remained in bloom several days longer than unprotected trees. 

 Some of the trees were uncovered at blooming time and others later, 

 one tree being left until nearly three weeks after blooming. The fruit 

 had set well under the cover, except near the top where the limbs 

 were joined closel}^ together. With young trees this protection is 

 about as easily and cheaply applied and about as effective as white- 

 wash, but can not be u.sed as readily with old trees. The use of can- 

 vas or hay caps have also proved to be as effective at the station as 

 whitewash or covering with cornstalks. The method is probably too 

 expensive for old trees. 



The most effective protection at the station was secured by erecting 

 board sheds over the trees. Posts were set at the outer ends of the 

 branches and rafters placed on them to meet over the center of the 

 tree. Fence boards were then fastened an inch apart on the top and 

 part way down the sides. Trees thus protected set fruit very well, 

 and were not severely injured by either the cold of winter or the hot, 



o Missouri Sta. Bill. 38. 



