12 Lessons in Fruit Growing. 



insects and diseases that affect the different fruit plants 

 will be treated separately for each class, but largely the 

 same apparatus and materials will be needed for all. A 

 good spraying pump with an attachment that secures a 

 uniform mixture of the materials, and that is capable of 

 spraying kerosene aud water together, with a nozzle that 

 gives an adjustable spray, with ready unclogging facilities, 

 will be almost indispensable, as will conveniences for pre- 

 paring the Bordeaux mixture.* The capacity of the spray- 

 ing apparatus needed will depend much upon the size of 

 the plantation. For large plantations, a pump operated 

 by horse power will be very useful, while one operated by 

 steam may be needed for those of the largest size. 



13. The conditions affecting fruitfulness are but par- 

 tially understood. In a climate favorable to a given fruit, 

 fruitfulness probably depends more upon variety than upon 

 outside conditions. Of the latter, those that promote a 

 healthful condition of the plant and moderate growth 

 doubtless tend to normal fruitfulness. Vigorous growth 

 is generally opposed to fruitfulness, and so are severe 

 drought and insufficient potash and phosphoric acid in the 

 soil. An excessive crop of fruit is apt to be followed by a 

 partial or complete failure of crop. The flower buds of our 

 fruit plants are formed the season previous to their expan- 

 sion, and the weather during or just preceding the flower- 

 forming period most likely exerts a potent influence upon 

 the number of flowers formed. The weather during the 

 expansion of the flowers and the setting of the fruit is 

 probably also potent. But excepting the effects of frost at 

 blooming time, these influences are, as yet, little under- 



* For a discussion of various iBsecticides and fungicides, and directions for 

 preparing the Bordeaux mixture, see "Principles of Plant Culture." 



