THE SPRAYING CAMPAIGN 333 



The spring plowing may be delayed until the winter cover crop 

 has made a slight spring growth. The plowing will then turn under 

 a good growth of green manure. This should supply an abundance 

 of nitrogen, so that no other nitrate fertilizer need be used. 



The only commercial fertilizer in that case which needs to be 

 added would contain phosphoric acid and potash. If the trees are 

 making a good growth and are not bearing much both of these 

 plant foods are needed. On medium soils use about 150 or 200 

 pounds per acre of a mixture containing six to eight per cent of 

 each of these plant foods. 



Pruning Work of the Year. — The chief pruning of either the 

 apple or peach orchard should come in the winter season. Special 

 directions for this have been given in Chapters XVI and XVIII. 

 The chief points to be borne in mind are that trees will need to 

 have the branches thinned to let in more light, dead branches must 

 be cut away, all injured parts must be removed and long branches 

 should be cut back somewhat. The trees should be kept well bal- 

 anced and somewhat symmetrical. At any time during the year 

 when injury occurs by the wind or any accident, pruning should be 

 resorted to immediately. Cover the wounded place or marks 

 where large branches have been removed by painting them (Figs. 

 238, 239 and 240). 



The spring thinning of the fruit may, in a sense, be considered 

 pruning work, as it will aid materially in controlling the formation 

 of fruit the next season. 



It is well to practice some pruning in the summer season. Pinch 

 off the little shoots that are out of place, particularly on the large 

 branches and on the trunk of the tree. These can be removed with 

 the fingers at that time without injury, and the growth during the 

 remainder of the summer will be directed to better channels. 



Another important part of summer pruning is to cut away dis- 

 eased branches, particularly those affected with blight or, in the 

 case of stone fruits, that are affected with brown rot. 



The Spraying Campaign in the Apple Orchard. — The campaign 

 here described applies not only to apples, but to all core fruits, 

 including apples, pears and quinces. 



In orchards affected with San Jose scale two winter sprayings 

 are sometimes necessary. The first is with miscible oil applied in 

 early winter. This loosens the scales and penetrates well into the 

 rough bark. 



Late in winter, after the winter pruning is over a strong spray 



