158 
WISCONSIN HORTICULTURE 
fruit dropping is caused by defi- 
ciency of both plant food and mois- 
ture. 
Prof. Lloyd talked about fruit 
and vegetable storage houses espe- 
cially for apples. Storage build- 
ings belong to two classes, those 
with ice cooling or artificial refrig- 
eration and those not provided 
with refrigeration, built either 
above or below the ground surface. 
Cold storage facilities are most 
needed near point of distribution to 
save shipment in severely cold 
weather. Any place having a pop- 
ulation of 5,000 or more should 
have cold storage facilities for fruit 
and vegetables. Bulletin on con- 
struction may be had from the Illi- 
nois College of Agriculture; also 
from the agricultural department 
at Washington. Prof. Kraus of 
Oregon talked of pruning. When 
trees are pruned the branches 
which are cut back the most make 
the least growth the following sea- 
son. Leading or terminal branches 
outgrow lateral branches. 
There are three general styles of 
training trees: First, the leader 
type which plans for a continuous 
center trunk. This makes for a 
tall tree until the branches are out 
of reach of pruning, after which 
the tree assumes its natural tend- 
ency of growth. Second, is the 
open center plan which is promoted 
by a general cutting back of all of 
the branches. This induces a 
broom shaped head and is the style 
mostly followed by those who advo- 
cate low heading. A third type is 
called a delayed open center, and 
embraces several leaders. His pref- 
erence is for this type of tree. 
Pruning is easy so far as cut- 
ting goes but too much is done 
thoughtlessly. The grower often 
prunes to let light and air inside 
of the tree. Don’t do it. Too 
much pruning starves the tree. As 
a general rule trees come into bear- 
ing earlier if left alone than if 
they receive much pruning. Too 
much summer pruning induces 
water sprouts. After six or seven 
years of age trees should receive 
less pruning. Prune trees of vig- 
orous growth but cut lightly or 
not at all if growth is poor. To 
renew old trees thin out instead of 
cutting back. Water sprouts may 
then be trained to become bearing 
branches. To promote fruitfulness 
in trees which are slow to come to 
bearing, pinch back in June the 
same season’s growth to about the 
same length that you would cut 
back the same growth to, the fol- 
lowing winter. Call the first 
growth in June the “A” growth 
of the season. Any growth follow- 
ing the pinching call the “B” 
growth. If B growth is vigorous 
cut it back at regular time of prun- 
ing the following winter. If B 
growth is light let it alone. This 
plan of promoting fruitfulness 
works well on varieties that have a 
tendency to bear on the last sea- 
son’s growth of wood. More 
money has been lost by over prun-'™ ,r 
ing than by pruning too little. 
Fertilizing orchards by Prof. 
Kraus : Thousands of dollars have 
been wasted by applying commer- 
cial fertilizers which the soil did 
not need. Of the three classes of 
fertilizers, nitrates, potash and 
phosphates, nitrates are most com- 
monly needed. Nitrate of soda is 
the form most commonly used. 
Continued use of this fertilizer in 
Oregon promotes an excess of al- 
kali in the soil. Use five or six 
pounds to a tree in bearing. Spread 
broadcast as far as branches cover 
and not too close to the trunk of 
the tree. Use two-thirds when 
growth commences in spring and 
the balance two or three weeks 
later. Less benefit is derived if 
July, 1919 
there is deficiency of humus in the 
soil. 
Mulching promotes efficiency. 
It pays to raise mulch material on 
$100 per acre land to apply on 
$500 per acre land. Cover crops | 
of legumes promote storage of hu- 
mus and nitrogen ; cover crops also 
may rob the trees of fertility and 
moisture. He prefers sulphate of 
ammonia to nitrate of soda but it 
is more expensive. Pruning has 
great influence on growth of trees 
and may be worked in opposition 
to the nutrition of the tree. 
^uiuwvuuwvumwvi \ v vw» 
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McKAY NURSERY 
COMPANY 
MADISON, WISCONSIN 
Nursery Stock of 
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for Particular Buyers 
Have all the standard varieties 
as well as the newer sorts. Can 
supply you with everything in 
Fruit Trees, Small Fruits, 
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Let us suggest what to plant 
both in Orchard and in the 
decoration of your grounds. 
Prices and our new Catalog 
sent promptly upon receipt of 
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