138 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



locality when <ir(i\vu (Hit alone withont pruning is Relieved t(i furnish a hint as 

 to the correct method of pruning trees in the orchard. For Texas low-topped trees 

 and heading back the ends of the lim)>s each year are advised. The purposes of 

 pnniiiig are thus succinctly stated Vjy the author: 



"If the ends of the limbs are not headed back the fruit will be borne farther away 

 from the trunk of the tree each succeeding year. The limbs will become long and 

 angling. The weight of the fruit on the ends of the long liniljs will cause them to 

 droop and frequently break or split off. If the fruit is not thinned off from them, 

 many varieties Avill overbear one year and so exhaust the trees that they are not apt 

 to bear the next year. Such orchards are liable to fruit every other year. During 

 the heavy fruit year an overloaded tree will make but little wood growth on which 

 to bear the following year. 



"Heading back the ends of the young limbs accomplishes several important things: 

 (1) It enables the tree to make new bearing wood for next year; (2) it thins the 

 fruit; (3) it lessens the liability of splitting and breaking of the limbs by making 

 them more stocky; (4) the fruit is borne near the ground, where it is easier to gather; 

 and (5) it keeps the bearing wood nearer the main trunk by causing side branches 

 to come out on the main limbs." 



Relative to the Stringfellow method of root pruning, the author states that after 

 careful observations with peach, plum, pear, and apple trees, grown at the station, 

 he is con\-inced that the theory is not based upon sound physiological principles. 

 The method, however, may have a local value, and wherever experience has proven 

 this to be the case close root pruning may l)e followed. The principle, however, upon 

 which tlie Stringfellow root system of pruning is based is not susceptible of wide 

 application. Results secured at other experiment stations in root pruning orchard 

 trees are quoted. 



Peacli growing in Maryland, H. P. Gould {Maryland Sta. Bui. 72, ]>/>. 129-151, 

 figs. 5). — A discussion of the historical development of the peach industry in Mary- 

 land, its present status, the culture of the orchard, and the marketing of the fruit. 



The first large peach orchard in Maryland was planted about 1800, in Anne Arun- 

 del County. It contained 18,000 to 20,000 seedling trees, and the product was used 

 for making peach brandy. The canning industry came into existence about the 

 middle of the century. At present there are about 3,000,000 trees in the State, tive- 

 sixths of which are in the 5 counties of Washington, Kent, Caroline, Anne Arundel, 

 and Queen Anne. It is estimate*! that there are a])out 2,000,000 trees in bearing, and 

 the product from these in 1900 was aV)Out 2,000,000 packages. 



Complete directions are given for locating the orchard, i)reparing the soil, selec- 

 tion of varieties and stock, setting the trees, starting the top, intercropping, tilling, 

 fertilizing, pruning, thinning the fruit, etc. Cowpeas have given the most general 

 satisfaction in Maryland as a cover crop for peaches. Crimson clover has proven 

 valuable in a few localities. It is believed that legununous crops should be relied 

 upon to furnish the nitrogen required in the production of the peach crop. A suc- 

 cessful fruit grower of the State recommends that peaches for profit should be thinned 

 to about 6 in. apart on a limb. 



Relative to marketing peaches, conunission men in Pittsburg, Baltimore, and New 

 York unite in recommending the six-basket carrier for choice fruits, and larger size 

 boxes for second-class fruit or culls. The practice of putting poor fruit in fancy 

 packages is condemned. 



Observations on the fertilization of peach orchards, E. H. Jenkins {Con- 

 necticut Slate Sta. Rpt. 1900, pt. 3, ]>]>. 352-354)- — An account is here given of the 

 establishment, in 1894, of a i)each orchard on a high hill of gravelly loam some 

 miles from the shore of Long Island Sound. Different portions of the orchard were 

 differently fertilized, and an account has been kept of the nund)er of trees that have 

 died and the number of baskets of fruit collected on the different j>lats. These are 



