140 THE CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



the pipe, so -that the streams of water will all go one way. At 

 the supply end of the pipe a packed joint is made and in this 

 joint is a strainer to prevent any particles from getting into 

 the nozzles. The packed joint allows the pipe to be turned in 

 any direction and water can be thrown thirty feet on either 

 side of the pipe with a pressure of 40 pounds aii acre or more 

 of ground can be watered by turning one valve and the saving 

 in the lieds which have been thus watered have made almost 

 one-third more growth than those not watered. In September 

 when the r(nvs are well filled u]) the ground is not stirred much. 

 Weeds are pulled and the small space between the rows still 

 cultivated. It is found Ijest to let the plants go slowly now% as 

 they harden up better and are more able to stand the winter. 

 We are obliged to use a mulch to protect the plants during .the 

 winter and for thus purpose coarse meadow hay is cut during 

 the summer and stacked near the beds. If the foliage is heavy 

 a light mulch so that the plants will not be smothered. This 

 mulch is held in place with a little soil spread over it. Wdiere 

 surface water is likely to collect, holes are dug 3 feet deep and 

 filled with leaves. This allows the water to readily drain away 

 and saves the beds from destruction. 



Summer and fall planting have been tried when fruit was 

 ^\■anted for exhibition purposes. l)ut this is an expensive method 

 and will not do for the general crop, though it is to be highly 

 recommended for the amateur fruit grower, particularly when 

 pot grown plants can be set in August and grown under the 

 liill svstem. In the spring as soon as danger from heavy frost 

 is past the mulch is removed with a horse rake, this being the 

 quickest method and it is best to do this just before a rain, so 

 that the leaves will be washed clean. This greatly improves 

 the appearance of the bed. \n application of wood ashes at 

 the rate of 1,500 pounds per acre is made at this time and often 

 some dissolved bone lilack is used if the plants have shown any 

 weakness in the crown. 



The surplus plants are then dug up and either sold or used 

 for setting new beds and the final fruiting row is left about 2 

 feet wifle with walks the same width for the pickers. The 

 cultivator is kept going until the blossoms begin to fall and if 

 the plants are deficient in foliage a small application of nitrate 



