"BABCOCK TEST” FOR PEACH AND APPLES. 
Hunting for Drone Trees. 
The method of keeping individual tree records 
for peach and apple varieties which we adopted and 
have been using for the past four seasons is pre¬ 
sented here with the hope that it may prove sug¬ 
gestive to some apple and peach growers. 
Our plots were selected with the idea of studying 
the natural individual tree variability of production. 
This basis of plot arrangement might not be advis¬ 
able in the selection of plots for all purposes. For 
NUMBERING THE TREES.—The use of an indi¬ 
vidual tree number system will prove of great value 
to the grower aside from performance record work. 
We have been four years in working out a satisfac¬ 
tory system which we present here so that anyone 
who cares to do so may take advantage of it. If the 
orchard is a large one, and divided naturally into 
several sections by roads, buildings, ravines or other 
means, the different lots or sections should be given a 
number, as lot 1, lot 2, etc. Beginning with lot 1, 
row 1 and tree 1 in row one, the number of this is 
1-1-1. Tree 2 in this row and lot is number 1-1-2, 
of the paint, the arrangement of the numbers and 
other details can only be determined by experience. 
The tree numbers should be applied near the same 
relative positions on all trees in order that they may 
be easily found. The advantages of this system of 
tree numbers are so many that I will not attempt 
to enumerate them here. For instance, if at any 
time a tree is noticed that needs pruning, removal 
spraying, thinning or other attention, a note can be 
made of the number, and the tree found at any time 
without difficulty or loss of time, or uncertainty. 
I am very sure that when fruit growers once realize 
instance, it might be desirable so to arrange the 
performance record plots that the comparative yields 
of select trees and neighboring trees can be secured. 
Again, it may be desirable to keep only a record 
”1 the performance of select trees, although in the 
writer’s opinion this data is less valuable than the 
periormance record data of select trees with that of 
comparative trees. 
^ e have used 25 trees of each variety for or 
peach tree performance record data the past for 
.'ears. In laying out new peach tree performanc 
lecord plots we are planning on using the sum 
number of trees that we use in our apple and Citn 
1 ree performance record plots, viz., 100 comparativ 
lees. I lio number of trees adopted for a plot nun 
depend on conditions. In any event we believe tin 
performance record plot should consist of not let 
iliau live trees. 
and so on. In lot 1. row 2 and tree 1 in row two 
the tree number is 1-2-1. Tree 2 in this row and 
lot is number 1-2-2, and so on. In painting the tree 
number on tree trunks and limbs we write it verti¬ 
cally. one number below another. We paint these 
numbers on the tree trunks, and in the case of peach 
and apple trees on the large limbs. We find it ad¬ 
visable to paint each number on each tree on two or 
more of the large limbs for the reason that if one 
of the numbers is lost by splitting or breaking of 
limbs, the other number or numbers will remain 
and identify the tree. 
M e use pure white lead and linseed oil paint, and 
would suggest avoiding any patent mixtures. Our 
numbers have not injured the trees in any way, and 
are as plain to-day as when applied five years ago. 
A camel s-lmir lettering brush should be purchased 
to make the numbers with. The proper consistency 
the value of this system they will adopt it univer¬ 
sally. One person can number one hundred trees or 
more each day after a little practice. 
MARKERS FOR SELECT TREES.—Where a 
small plot of select trees or individual select trees 
are to be picked separately for performance records, 
some method must be used to prevent these trees 
being picked in the general crop. We use strips of 
white cloth, about three inches wide and three feet 
long. I'hese markers are tied on protruding 
branches, of the select trees, as high as one can 
reach, and at the very tips of the branches. At 
least five and usually six such markers are attached 
to the several sides of each tree. The markers hang¬ 
ing down in plain sight, easily seen from any posi¬ 
tion about the tree, will remind the pickers that 
such trees are not to be picked. As a rule we try 
to pick the select trees just before the neighboring 
