HORTICULTURE. 45 



alternate year bearing trees when the trees had formed fruit buds. As starch, 

 this reserve is mainly found in the medullary rays and pith. An average of 

 about 4 per cent greater specific gravity of the twigs and branches in winter 

 condition was found where fruit buds were formed. A much larger leaf area 

 is produced in the " off " year than in the bearing year, amounting to 2.08 sq. in. 

 more per leaf In the trees studied. 



Measurements taken of the total twig growth of trees in the various plats 

 show a rate and amount of growth closely commensurate with the yielding 

 power of the trees. The growth practically ceased by the first of July or earlier 

 on most of the trees. A second growth the latter part of the summer is com- 

 mon in this orchard. This is accompanied by a second period of fruit-bud 

 formation as is evidenced by the fruit buds formed on the terminus of the 

 second growth. 



No relationship could be traced between the rainfall of the growing season 

 and the fruit-bud formation in this experiment through a period of several 

 years. The plats where the moisture ran the lowest during the period of 

 fruit-bud formation, coupled with good growing conditions earlier in the sea- 

 son, have produced the largest number of fruit buds. 



The studies here reported indicate that the yield in the " off " year of the 

 Baldwin trees can be materially improved by good cultural methods. Trees 

 receiving cultivation and cultivation with cover crops have greatly increased 

 their capacity for fruit-bud formation over trees standing in sod. The use of 

 fertilizers in addition to cultivation and cover crops has not as yet increased 

 the fruit-bud formation. 



A striking difference in the individuality of the trees as regards yield has 

 been observed, but the percentage of healthy normal trees showing a con- 

 sistently low yielding character is very low. 



Fertilizer experiments on apple trees at Highmoor Farm, C. D. Woods 

 (Maine Sta. Bui. 236 {1915), pp. 52, 53).— A brief note is given on some fer- 

 tilizer experiments being conducted at the Highmoor Farm in orchards that had 

 been brought into good condition before the experiments started by cultivation 

 and fertilization for a period of three years. In one experiment a number of 

 Baldwin trees all received the same application of standard fertilizer and a 

 portion of them received in addition nitrate of soda at the rate of 100 lbs. per 

 acre. As far as has been observed the additional nitrate of soda has had no 

 effect in forcing the trees into bearing. 



Another experiment was begun in 1912 in an orchard of Ben Davis trees in 

 which one plat has received no fertilizer for a period of three years; another 

 phit has received annually a fertilizer, at the rate of 500 lbs. per acre, carrying 4 

 per cent nitrogen, 8 per cent available phosphoric acid, and 7 per cent potash ; 

 and a third plat has received 1,000 lbs. of the same fertilizer per acre. Thus 

 far no results which could be attributed to the fertilizer have appeared. 



Profits from spraying twenty-five Missouri orchards in 1914, W. L. 

 Howard (Missouri 8ta. Bui. 124 (1915), pp. 185-285, figs. 5).— In 1913 fire 

 cooperative apple orchards were sprayed by the University of Missouri, and in 

 1914 25 orchards were sprayed or the spraying was supervised. Practically 100 

 demonstrations were held in connection with the spraying which was conducted 

 in 14 counties in the State. The demonstration orchards were sprayed from 

 two to four times, and with one exception both Bordeaux and lime-sulphur 

 were used to control diseases with arsenate of lead added to poison insects. In 

 one orchard a comparative test was made of lime-sulphur, Bordeaux, soluble 

 sulphur, arsenate of lead paste, Bordeaux-arsenate paste, and Pyrox, both with 

 reference to their fungicidal value and their tendency to cause spray injury. 



