780 



THE FRUIT INDUSTRY IN NEW YORK STATE 



from winter injury is greatly reduced. In many cases the last 

 tissue to reach this condition of maturity is that just above the 

 surface of the soil. It should not be inferred, however, that a 

 weak growth necessarily insures great hardiness. If the tree has 

 made a very weak growth during the early portion of the season 

 and this is followed by rather wet weather during the latter por- 

 tion, then the tree is likely to start a late succulent growth that 



FIG. 204. BUCKWHEAT AS A COVER CROP IN A YOUNG PEAR 

 ORCHARD BELONGING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF POMOLOGY, NEW 

 YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, ITHACA, N. Y. 



The buckwheat was sown on June 29. Pear trees are pecu- 

 liarly susceptible to early winter injury. In spite of the very 

 wet season, these trees are going into winter with the wood very 

 well ripened on account of the early sowing of the cover crop. 



will leave it very tender when winter comes on. Vigorous growth 

 early in the season in the case of any but the very youngest trees, 

 at least is a protection against such late succulent growth. When 

 the tree has made a vigorous early growth it is likely to have leaf 

 surface enough to dispose of the extra supply of water late in the 

 season without causing renewed growth. This is particularly true 



