•5- 



Inarch method of graftage, the scions should be Inspected several times and 

 recoated when cracks appear In the grafting compound. After It is certain 

 that the grafts are successful, rub off any shoots which start from the scions 

 or seedling trees. 



Efficient Use of Mulch - 



Mulch is a commodity of limited supply for most fruit growers. The writer 

 has noted that some fruit growers, when applying mulch to bearing apple trees 

 place it within a foot or two of the trunk and out to a distance of two or three 

 feet beyond the spread of the branches. It is true that the mulch under the 

 tree will help suppress grass and protect drops but on the other hand more trees 

 could be mulched if it was not applied to such a large area. It is the opinion 

 of the writer that the most efficient use of mulch for nutritional purposes is 

 obtained when distributed uniformly in a band 3 or 4 feet wide under the drip 

 line of the tree. 



W. J. Lord 



^ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 



LATE SUMMER FERTILIZATION OF STRAWBERRIES 



In Massachusetts the June-bearing varieties of strawberries initiate their 

 flower buds in the fall. If conditions are favorable, many varieties produce 

 several flower buds in each strawberry crown and consequently produce several 

 inflorescences per plant. The extent of flower bud development seems to be in- 

 fluenced by the supply of available nutrients, particularly nitrogen. 



A number of experiments have indicated an advantage of building up the nitrogen 

 supply in the fall from the standpoint of increase flower bud formation. However, 

 factors such as earliness of runner plant rooting, quality of plants, soil moisture, 

 pest and weed control may have more effect on plant productivity than the fer- 

 tilizer applications. 



Many strawberry plantings would probably benefit from a moderate application 

 of a nitrogen-carrying fertilizer applied between the middle of August and the first 

 of September. Approximately 30 pounds of actual nitrogen per acre should be 

 adequate. This amount would be supplied by 100 pounds of ammonium i^itrate or 

 200 pounds of sodium nitrate. A broadcast application of fertilizer at that 

 time may damage the foliage unless precautions are taken. Apply on a clear day 

 of low humidity and with a switch made from brush, shake off any fertilizer 

 adhering to the leaves, or apply during a rain to avoid burning of the foliage. 



W. J. Lord 



