No. 4.] FRUIT GROWING. 37 



be the basis, not only for show purposes but for the strictly 

 commercial method of grading and packing. 



There are a few growers who already have seen the oppor- 

 tunity and have established their business on a solid founda- 

 tion, yet how few these are in number ; possibly not more 

 than a dozen in all New England. 



My aim has been to point out the advantages New England 

 offers as a fruit-growing center, but I dislike to leave it with- 

 out a word on a few of the essential matters of practical detail. 



We are still woefully weak on the thoroughness with which 

 we attend to the various operations, as spraying, pruning, 

 cultivation and fertilization, besides picking, packing and 

 marketing our product. 



It is not enough that we prune ; we must prune regularly, 

 prune for a purpose, and see that the cut surfaces are pro- 

 tected so that decay may not set in. It is not enough that 

 we spray ; we must spray at the proper time, with the proper 

 materials and with sufficient force. This latter point cannot 

 be emphasized too strongly in regard to the first spraying 

 with poison, just after the blossoms have fallen. Cultivate 

 thoroughly the first part of the season ; it is the cheapest way 

 to get a sufficient amount of growth. In July or August, 

 when cultivation stops, sow cover crops to save the volatile 

 elements of plant food, and add humus to the soil. Study 

 the plant-food problem, but study it as to your individual 

 requirements. 



No two orchards should be fertilized exactly alike. It Is a 

 matter you can determine only by experiments. The rigor o£ 

 the times and results of the harvests are the best criterion to 

 go by. Whatever may be said in favor of mixed fertilizers 

 for general farm crops does not, in ray opinion, hold true in 

 orchard work. It costs only a little more to spread the differ- 

 ent chemicals separately ; they can be put on at a time more 

 suited to crop requirements, and, most important of all, you 

 will save money by so doing. Of all three elements of plant 

 food, the nitrogen should be used with the greatest caution, 

 particularly in a fruiting orchard. Do not overdo it ; depend 

 as much as possible for nitrogen upon turning under legu- 



