SHi^scestions Fron an A iu';ronorn lst 



Any grower interested in producing mulch material out- 

 side the orchard will do well to consider the advice of R. W. 

 Donaldson regarding seedin;;; mixtures. On a moist to poorly- 

 drained soil, Reed's Canary Grass is recommended. The , following 

 mixture will insure a good crop of hay for mulching 'on soils 

 ii'hich vary in the degree of drainage; Reed's Canary G-rass 2-10 

 lbs., Orchard Grass ^-5 lbs., Timothy 3-^1- lbs. If the soil is 

 well drained and of ^'^od .fertility Orchard Grass alone at the 

 rate of IO-I5 lbs. per acre is recommended. 



If a soil Ic deficient in potash there is reason to 

 believe, according to Donaldson, that a rather liberal a^tilica- 

 tion v/ill give better results than the amount contained in the 

 usual application of a complete fertilizer. The amount of potash 

 applied per acre in a fertilizer such as a 1-6-6 does not average 

 more than a.bout 75 I'os. If I50 lbs. of potash is applied per acre 

 the additional amount provides good insurance that t]ie cover crop 

 will obtain enough to make , a better showing.. The reason for 

 so little response from a light a.r:-»lication of potash is not defi- 

 nitely known. A deeper penetration in available form is suggested 

 as a possibility. W]iatever the reason, the orchardist will prob- 

 ably get a bigger return on his fertilizer investment by making 

 one liberal application than by making two light ones. 



Standardizing the A^T-'le C rate 



The apple box comnonly knovm as the "Nort^-ioastern Apple 

 Crate" has come into use -is far west as Indiana and as far south 

 as Virginia. In the whole Northeastern section it is steadily 

 replacing the bushel casket. V/ith this increasing use a bewildei*- 

 ing number of sizes and shapes has been developed. Recently an 

 observer cou.nted 16 sizes and shapes on the New York Market at 

 one time. 



To attempt voluntary standardization, 35 representatives 

 of st?te fruit growers' associations, box manufacturers, commis- 

 sion merchants and the railroads, met in Nevr York on May I3. Af- 

 ter thorough discussion of the viewpoints represented and the 

 problems involved, the following resolution moved by W. S. Camp- 

 field (Va. ) was voted unanimously: 



(1) That the area represented voluntarily adopt an 

 apple box holding approximately 1 I/5 bu. and that the dimensions 

 be 17 X 1^ X 11 in. inside measurements, except where refriger- 

 ator car loading demands variation from such dimensions, in which 

 case a box 16 x I3 5/S x 12 in. should be used. 



(2) That it is the opinion of this group that this box 

 should never be packed with a bulge. 



(3) That this box should be called the "Approved Eastern 

 Apple Box. " 



{k-) That a report 'of this meeting be sent to the Secre- 

 tary of each Horticultural Society in the territory and that such 

 societies make every effort to persuade growers to use this box. 



The 11 X lU- X 17 in. box was adopted again because of 

 increasing evidence that (l) It holds, jumbled and without a 

 bulge, the fruit from a well-packed bushel basket, ^"^ith which 

 package it must compete on the market. (2) It lias been widely 



