1906.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 47 



KEPOKT OF THE IIOUTICULTURIST. 



V. A. AVAUt^ill. 



The work of the division of hortieulture for the past year 

 has followed the lines announced in previous reports. It has 

 been concerned chietly with the propagation of plants, more 

 especially dwarf fruit trees, with problems in pruning, and 

 with the S3^stematic study of varieties. During the year 

 some interesting experiments in the growing of mushrooms 

 have been under way. There follows herewith a report of 

 progress in the experiments in pruning peach trees of 

 bearing age. 



Pruning Peach Trees. 



A year ago this department made a report on experiments 

 in pruning peach trees. ^ Another year has thrown new 

 evidence on the problems involved, so it seems best to take 

 u}) the subject again. In the mean time the trees have borne 

 a considerable crop of fruit, and their behavior under this 

 load has been particularly interesting. 



Last year's report dealt with various problems, one of 

 which was the practice of pruning frozen peach trees to help 

 their recovery. Briefly stated, the experiment comprised 

 four methods of treatment, as follows : (a) no pruning ; (6) 

 moderate pruning ; (c) severe heading back ; (d) cutting 

 back to stubs, or "dehorning." The results of these various 

 methods of })runing, as developed up to the time of making 

 last year's report (December, 1904), showed that moderate 

 pruning was to l)e preferred. It may be said at once that 

 this general conclusion stands without much modiiication, 

 though the severely pruned trees made a relatively better 

 showing under the stress of a good crop of fruit. 



' Hatch Experiment Station, seventeenth annual rei^ort, p. 162 (1905) . 



