HOETICULTUEE. 49 



the apple and plum June 29. Other trees in the same orchard, however, continued to 

 grow until (Jctober 1, "at which time most of the terminal buds examined appeared 

 to be plump and fully formed." This second growth on the other trees in the 

 orchard began about July 15, and out of 325 trees examined 66 per cent of the trees 

 on cultivated soil and 21.1 per cent of those in sod made a second growth. "Several 

 of these second-growth shoots were measured as in the previous case and were found 

 to be growing rapidly, in some cases at the rate of ^ in. per day." 



"No second growth was found in the cherry orchard, consisting mainly of Russian 

 varieties, nor on any native plum trees, but all of the Japan plums developed a strong 

 second growth. . . . Many apple grafts, top-worked on orchard trees in the spring 

 of 1900, continued to grow several weeks later than the stocks. No flowers opened 

 at any time, showing that only the leaf buds developed, and of these only the ter- 

 minal buds." 



In connection with these experiments, observations were made to determine, "if 

 possible, the earliest and latest date on which the bark would peel or separate from 

 the wood readily enough to permit of budding, and if this condition jirevailed con- 

 tinuously throughout the season; also to learn if the bark 'set' or tightened earlier 

 on the smaller or larger branches. The method employed in the season of 1899 was 

 to make T cuts similar to those employed in budding in branches of various sizes on 

 trees of the various species previously mentioned. Several thousand of such cuts 

 were made during the season, and as a result it was found that the bark could be 

 jseeled readily at any time on both large and small branches up to August 15; that 

 after this date the bark was set on many of the smaller branches, although it could 

 be easily peeled on the larger ones; that no difference appeared to exist between 

 trees of different ages; that cultural conditions appeared to exert no influence; that a 

 wide difference existed between trees of the same variety, age, and external appear- 

 ance, and that the difference was often greater between different branches of one tree 

 than between different trees. ' ' 



During the season of 1900 the bark slipped readily on all branches up to Septem- 

 ber 15. After this date it was found impossible to slip the bark from branches 

 J in. or less in diameter. On the larger branches it separated easily up to about 

 September 25, and after October 3 it appeared firmly set on all branches, both large 

 and small alike. "From this it would appear that the time when the bark sets 

 varies with the season, as it could be peeled one month later in 1900 than in 1899. 

 It would also appear that it sets first on the smaller branches." 



The duration of the period of root growth was determined by digging a narrow 

 trench on INIay 25 about 2 ft. from the trunks of the different trees. In doing this, 

 many roots were cut. The trenches were then filled with well-enriched earth. This 

 earth when examined, July 10, showed that many active new roots had pushed out 

 into the soil from the cut ends, the most extensive root growth being found with the 

 cherry, followed in order by the plum, pear, and the apple, which had made the 

 least growth. The new growth of roots was then cut off and the trenches refilled. 

 An examination of the roots August 22, and again October 6, showed that in all cases 

 good root growth had been made, although no growth of twigs had occurred on any 

 of the trees later than July 1, as determined by a careful system of measurements. 



Trial orcliards, W. G. Vincenheller {Ai-kansas Sta. Rpt. WOO, pp. 111-113). — 

 These are orchards which are being established by the station throughout the cotton- 

 growing sections of the State for the ])urpose of encouraging fruit growing. Thus far 

 27 orchards have been established in as many counties. Typical soils of the locality 

 are selected, and the orchard so planned as to be a model as regards methods of cul- 

 tivation, etc., for the neighborhood in which it is located. The station furnishes the 

 trees, while the land is furnished by the owner, who is selected for his intelligence 

 and promise to care for the trees in accordance with directions furnished by the 

 station. 



