18 One Thousand Questions in Agriculture 



Grape Planting. 



What is the proper time for planting grape vines? 



Grape vines arc most successfully planted after the heavy rains 

 and low temperatures are over and before the growth starts. This 

 will usually be whenever the soil is in good condition, during the 

 months of February and March. 



Covering Tree Wounds. 



What is the best stuff to use on wounds and large cuts on my fruit 

 trees? I have used grafting wax, hut it is expensive and not altogether 

 satisfactory. 



Amputation wounds on trees can be more successfully treated 

 with lead and oil paint than with grafting wax. Mixed paint con- 

 taining benzine would not be so good as pure lead and oil mixed 

 for the purpose and then carefully applied as to amount so as not 

 to run. "Asphaltum Grade D" may also be used in the same way. 



Covering Sunburned Bark. 



Would asphaltum do to use on sunburned bark? 



Owing to the attraction of the heat by the black color, asphal- 

 tum would increase the injury by absorption of more heat. Some 

 white coating is altogether best for sunburn injuries, because it will 

 reflect and not absorb heat, and a durable whitewash applied as 

 may be needed to keep the white covering intact is undoubtedly the 

 best treatment. Where the bark has been actually removed, white 

 paint would be superior to whitewash to keep the wood from check- 

 ing while the wound was being covered laterally by the growth of 

 new bark. 



Too Much Prvining. 



Some peach trees entering the third year were pruned early in the 

 winter very severely. The pruner merely left the trunk and the three or 

 four main laterals, the latter about one foot in length. A large proportion 

 of these trees have not sprouted as yet, though older and better pruned 

 trees are all sprouted in the same vicinity. The bark is green and has 

 considerable sap. Will the trees commence to grozv? 



The trees will sprout later, after they have developed latent 

 buds into active form. The pruning probably removed all the buds 

 of recent growth. After starting they will make irregular growth, 

 starting too many shoots in the wrong places, etc., and considerable 

 efifort will be necessary to get- well-shaped trees by selection of 

 shoots in the right places and thinning out those which are not 

 desirable. 



For Broken Roots. 



When the root of an orange or other fruit tree is exposed or broken 

 by the cultivator, what is the best zvay to treat that root? 



Where a root is actually broken it is best to cut it off cleanly 

 above the break. This will induce quick healing over and the send- 



