108 
THE RURAL* NEW-YORKER 
January 29, 
TREES FAIL TO BEAR. 
Why do plum and other trees fail to bear 
even after blooming freely? 
I have no experience with either pear 
or cherry, but I have had just this experi¬ 
ence with plum trees. Every Spring the 
trees were loaded with blossoms, but we 
got no fruit; what few fruits set would 
shrink up and fall oil when half grown. I 
pruned and fertilized and sprayed and 
scraped, without results, and finally in dis¬ 
gust cut the trees down. If I were to make 
a guess as to the cause I should say that 
if 1 were to set more trees, I would set 
two or three varieties together, hoping it 
might be beneficial to each variety. 
Newport, Vt. w. E. R. 
Barring out late frosts and wet weather 
interfering with pollenization, the great 
cause of bloom failing to set in this coun¬ 
try, where we irrigate, is some mistake in 
irrigation giving the trees a check when 
fruit buds are forming the previous season. 
The most important dates here are from 
July 25 to August 10 for pears; August 
1-10 for cherries, and August 10-20 for 
plums. Any check or injury at this time 
may so weaken the flower buds that they 
will not have strength enough to carry the 
fruit formation further than small fruit if 
the hloom does not fall. A very heavy crop 
one season would have the same weakening 
effect, or a Winter injury. In your country 
a check might occur from drought, affecting 
next season’s crops. This is an important 
reason for thinning fruit. A tree is not 
then strained or overtaxed. h. b. c. c. 
Montana. 
There are several reasons why fruit trees 
will not bear, even after blossoming freely. 
The usual reply to this question is that 
many varieties are not self fertile; while 
the tree may have perfect blossoms the pol¬ 
len from another tree is needed to make it 
fruitful. This is notably the case with the 
Wild Goose plum, and because some trees 
have this defect it is usually best to have 
several varieties which blossom at the same 
time planted near each other, and not to 
plant large quantities of trees in solid 
blocks of one variety, but when a lai'ge 
orchard is planted, to plant three or four 
rows of one variety and then run in a row 
of some other kind. I am inclined, however, 
to believe that more often, the blossoms 
fall off because the soil conditions are not 
right—there must be a proper balance be¬ 
tween the nitrogen, potash and phosphoric 
acid. If there is not a sufficient quantity 
of either one of these substances for the 
needs of the tree, it will either bear no 
fruit or the fruit will be of poor quality. 
Sometimes the climatic conditions are not 
just right; sudden changes from cold to 
heat and heat to cold just before or during 
blossoming may cause the blossoms to fall. 
Pennsylvania. gabriex, iiiester. 
The professional orchardist rarely figures 
in the many complaints reaching us, of 
failure of trees to bear fruit after having 
blossomed freely. The reasons for this are, 
first, the well-posted fruit grower is careful 
in his selection of site and soil for his 
orchard. lie does not plant in a ravine or 
on low ground if he possess ground of 
greater elevation. He thus reduces to a 
minimum the danger from late frosts cut¬ 
ting off his fruit crop by killing of the 
bloom. He supplies his soil with the ele¬ 
ments of fertility necessary to the develop¬ 
ment of fruit buds and fruit, as well as a 
healthy growth of wood, if he has reason 
to believe that any of the elements are not 
present in ample supply. He has posted 
himself with regard to the comparative 
value of different varieties, and steers clear 
of those sorts which are tardy, shy or un¬ 
dependable in bearing. He may test the 
newer varieties in a small way through a 
willingness to risk a few dollars by way 
of experiment; but he does not complain if 
the experiment prove unprofitable. He is 
prepared for such an outcome. He does not 
expect his newly-planted trees to fruit 
freely during the first few years of ram¬ 
pant growth, if they he on rich soil, nor to 
give profitable returns until they have at¬ 
tained fruit-bearing age if they be upon 
soil of moderate fertility, even though they 
may bloom more or less freely. He looks 
forward to the time when, instead of such 
impulsive wood growth, there will come an 
age when fruit-bud development becomes the 
prevailing impulse of the tree. He does not 
marvel at a failure of fruit trees to set 
fruit in seasons when, at the blossoming 
period, cold, rainy weather hinders pollina¬ 
tion of the blossoms. He does not expect 
a crop of fine fruit to perfect itself without 
a determined warfare against insects and 
fungus diseases. His faithful spray pump 
is on the scene from early Spring until 
midsummer. He prunes his trees so that 
they are open-headed, and of such form that 
spraying can be thoroughly done, and so 
that the sunshine and air can have free 
access and circulation among the branches. 
Not until he has considered all these points 
and fulfilled all these requirements does he 
complain of non-bearing of his trees; and 
as a result he is not generally on our list 
of correspondents who are not getting sat¬ 
isfactory returns from their planting. It 
is in a great measure a matter of education 
—of knowing how and then doing the very 
best that is known; and our experiment 
stations and the horticultural press are 
doing all they can to get the inexperienced 
planter on the winning side of the fence. 
F. H. BALLOU. 
QUESTIONS ABOUT CHEMICAL FER¬ 
TILIZERS. 
F. D. C. (No Address).— 1. What propor¬ 
tions of nitrate of soda, potash and acid 
phosphate should I use for peas and oats, 
no manure being used; also for Japanese 
millet with no manure? 2. Can 1 expect any 
good results with vetch here in southern 
New Hampshire? If so what would be the 
formula for fertilizer? 3. Which is the 
cheaper; nitrate of soda (15 to 16 per cent 
nitrogen) at $50 a ton, or sulphate of am¬ 
monia (24 to 25 per cent ammonia) at $65 
a ton. 4. What is the difference between 
muriate of potash and sulphate of potash 
as a fertilizer and in price? 
Ans.— 1 . The peas are supposed to 
obtain most of their own nitrogen after 
making a good start. The oats and the 
millet need more. For the oats and peas 
use at the rate of 150 nitrate, 600 acid 
phosphate and 150 muriate. For millet 
add 50 pounds nitrate. 2 . We doubt if 
vetch will succeed with you. 3. In a 
ton of 16 per cent nitrate you have 320 
pounds of nitrogen. At $50 this would 
mean 15.6 cents a pound. In a ton 
of 25 per cent sulphate of ammonia 
there are 400 pounds, which at $65 means 
16.2 cents a pound. Pound for pound we 
would rather have the nitrate at the 
same price. 4. Muriate is the chloride of 
potash. You will realize what that means 
by remembering that common salt is a 
chloride of sodium. Muriate and sul¬ 
phate contain about the same per cent 
of potash and are equally soluble. Muri¬ 
ate has more of an acid effect upon the 
soil, and its chlorine acts to retard the 
formation of starch or sugar in such 
crops as potatoes, beets or fruits. The 
sulphate is more alkaline and since it 
does not contain chlorine usually gives 
a higher flavor and quality. It usually 
costs about $5 per ton more than muri¬ 
ate. 
200 Bushels of Strawberries 
From a Single 
One of our patrons made this record with 
plants bought of us. Just ask a commission » .,.. prm 
man what this quantity of fruit would have . -^—1* I'L 
brought the grower any year lately, and / 
you’ll see that there's money in berries • * 
Knight’s Free Book 
on Small Fruit 
Tells the best Stra-wberries, Rasp¬ 
berries, blackberries. Dewberries, 
Gooseberries, Currants, etc., a?id just 
henv to grow them, Knight’s plants 
have a national reputation for superior 
quality and high vigor. Send today^ 
for free copy of our catalogue. 
David Knight 
& Son 
Box 16, Sawyer, Mich. 
TWO MILLION 
Strawberry Plants 
Free from disease and vigorous. Grown in a 
light,, sandy soil. You get all the small fibrous 
roots that make plants transplant well. 
Also, Raspberry, Blackberry, 
Gooseberry and Currant Plants 
and Grape Vines. 
Twenty-eight page Catalogue tells all about our 
stock. Describes varieties without fear or favor. 
Tells exactly how they behave here on our farm. 
It’s free. Send to-day and save money 00 your 
Spring order. 
J. W. JONES & SON 
Allen, Maryland 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS.-STpleTio 1 ” 
$1.75 per 1,000, We guarantee satisfaction and safe 
delivery. Catalogue free. Write to-day. Address— 
THE SNOW HILL PLANT, FRUIT & TRUCK 
FARM, Charlie S. Perdue, Prop., Snow Hill, 
Maryland, Dept. 20. 
Melons, Cukes, Lima Beans DADCD DOTO 
and Tomatoes one to four iHlLil lUIUi 
weeks earlier if started in- 
P. B, CROSBY & SON, Catonsville, Maryland. 
FRUIT TRCEQ — $10 per hundred; freight paid; 
mU I I I (ILLOi send for our free catalogue on 
fruits and ornamentals. ONTARIO NURSERY 
CO., Box No. 21, Geneva, N. Y. 
M EDIUM, Mammoth, Alsike and Timothy Seeds 
for sale. For samples and prices, write— 
WALTER G. TRUMPLER, Tiffin, Ohio. 
SPRAY 
fruits and field crops ■■■ 
with best effect — least ex¬ 
pense— less time, for big¬ 
gest profits. No other 
sprayers as good as 
Brown’s Hand and Power 
AUTO¬ 
SPRAYS 
40 styles, siz es and 
tfuide in our 
le on postal, 
unoose any auto-spray—it is guar¬ 
anteed to satisfy you completely. 
Used by the U. S. Government and 
State Experiment Stations 
and 800,000 others. Auto-Spray No.1—ideal outfit 
for 6 acres of potatoes or 1 acre of trees. Auto-| 
8pray No. 11 best for larger operations. Wa havi 
Auto-Sprays for largest orchards and fields. Write] 
now for valuable book. 
THE E. C. BROWN COMPANY 
28 J*y St*. Rochester, N. Y. 
isms 
ZC/L 
Money in 
Early Tomatoes 
Oneofmycnstomerseold 
$102.35 worth of big, red to¬ 
matoes from 100 plants in his 
back yard. Another from 14 plants In 
her flower garden, sold 312 lbs. during, 
July and August for $16.70. It’s all in 
the knowing how and In using the right I 
seed. They used my new tomato— 
Field’s Early June 
Earlier than Earliana, as handsome asStone, as 
solid asPonderosa, and a greater yielder than 
any of them. The greatest new tomato in 25 
years. Small pkt., 20c; 3 for 50c; Vi oz.. $1. 
(This for specially selected seed, saved 
early.) My Garden Manual and Seed 
Catalog will give lots of pointersand 
good advice about gardening It’s 
well worth reading. Get It and see. 
Henry Field, Pres. 
HENRY FIELD SEED CO. 
Box 26 Shenandoah, la. 
Best Clover Se£ 
Direct to Far 
Our Clover Seed is of high 
grade—the best obtainable; 
the best Medium, Mam¬ 
moth, Alsike and Alfalfa, 
grown where the finest 
j Clover Seed is produced. 
BUCKEYE BRAND SEEDS 
ALWAYS RELIABLE 
Our Timothy, Oats, Corn, Buck¬ 
wheat, etc., are carefully re¬ 
cleaned, true to name, and in 
perfect condition for sowing. 
Thousands of pleased cus¬ 
tomers. Interesting little 
booklet free; write for it. 
The O. O. SHEPARD CO. 
No. 8 F SI., Medina, Ohio 
DIBBLE’S 
Alfalfa Seed 
produced on our own farms, season of '1909 (the 
driest summer in the last 20 years), hay for which 
we refused SG6.Q0 per acre right at the barns. Our 
D. B. brand Alfalfa, Clover and Grass Seed is 
northern grown and is the highest possible grade 
purchasable in this country. Purity and germina¬ 
tion unexcelled. We know all about Alfalfa, 
Clover, Timothy, etc., as we grow hundreds of 
tons annually on our 1,200-acre seed farms. Send 
for samples, test them yourselves, or, better yet, 
have your State Experiment Station test them, 
then if you really want the BEST, we know we will 
have your order. 
Liberal Samples and our 1910 Catalog, the leading 
Farm Seed Book of the year, FREE. 
EDWARD E. DIBBLE, Seedgrower, 
Iloiieoye Falls, N.Y. Box B. 
VICK’S ONION SEED 
Vick’s selected Danvers Yellow Globe. Early and 
sure cropping in any section or climate. 20c per oz., 
$1*25 per lb. Garden and Floral Guide, 61st year. Free, 
JAS. VICK’S SONS, 430 Main Street, Rochester, N, Y, 
pin up i* Qpprj —Timothy, Oats and Seed Potatoes, 
UIUTGI OGGUi 28 varieties; sold direct; catalogue 
free. CLICK’S SEED FARMS, Lancaster, Pa. 
HAY 
WANTED—Clover mixed. Address 
LOUNSBURY, Springdale, Conn. 
E. 
J. 
Choicest Clover Seed 
direct from the farmer and sell direct to you. This 
gives you best quality, clean seed. Saves you 
money! Sample free. Order now. Also Alsike 
and Timothy. O. M. SCOTT & BRO., 10 Main St., 
Marysville. Ohio. 
Grass 
Seeds. 
FOR ALL KINDS OF 
Clover and Field Seeds, 
ALSO A FULL LINE OF 
Garden Seeds and 
Implements, 
Write this Old Reliable 
House. 
Catalogue Free and Price List of Grass and Field 
Seeds mailed you on application. 
THE HENRY PHILIPPS SEED AND IMPLEMENT CO., 
Toledo, Ohio. 
A DISCOVERY OF IMMENSE VALUE. 
Growing over one quart of strawberries from 
each plant year after year, or at the rate of 30,000 
quarts to the acre. Five year old plants the past 
season yielded over quart each plant. Send 25 cents 
for Kevitt System or Chart. 
T. C. KEVITT, - Originator, 
Athenia, # N. J. 
CTRAWBERRY PLANTS —Reliable money-making varieties at 
v very reasonable prices. New 1910 illustrated catalog Free. 
Address S. A. VIRDIN Hartly, Delaware. 
S TKAWBKRKY PLANTS That Are Business 
Plante. Descriptive catalogue free. 
D. M. TEETER, Bellville, Ohio. 
WHOLESALE PRICES 
Strawberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Grape and Currant Plants 
Extra Heavy Rooted High Grade Stock. 
18th Annual Wholesale and Retail Catalogue Free. 
A. R. WESTON & CO., R. 8 , Bridgman, Mich. 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS. 
Millions of them—Aroma, Klondyke, Thompsons, 
Gandy, &e. Send $2.50 for 1,000 plants. 
JOHN LIGHTFOOT, Dept. 36, Chattanooga, Term. 
Ctraiuhai'i'V Plante —Of the best varieties. 
OlianUeri J rlallls. Descriptive catalogue 
free. BASIL PERRY,D-18, Cool Spring, Delaware. 
S TRAWBERRY PLANTS.— All the new and old money* 
making varieties at moderate prices. Send for 
new 1910 catalog free. David rodway. Hartley, Del. 
TESTED AND PROVEN 
SEEDS 
■*= 
PHILADELPHIA. PA. 
Stand for Purity and Quality. The result 
of 37 years’ experience in testing, and 
proving the best. Our GARDEN AND FARM 
MANUAL for 1910 tells all about them. 
Mailed tree to seed buyers who write for it. 
JOHNSON SEED COMPANY, 
217 Market St.. Philadelphia, Pa. 
THAT DO NOT DISAPPOINT 
occno 
■■ I I ^ Sold on The Ford Plan, which guar- 
II 1 j J antees satisfaction and saves you 
tm money on every purchase. Our cat¬ 
alog tells about it, gives descriptions and low prices on 
Bf' varieties Garden, Flower and Field Seeds, Pota¬ 
toes, Bulbs, Trees, Shrubs and Small Fruit Plants. Con¬ 
tains lots of testimonials from our customers. It’s free. 
FORD SEED CO., Dept. 24, Kavenna, Ohio. 
ASPARAGUS 
My stock of choice roots for 1910 is very 
large and extra fine. Six varieties of 
healthy, thrifty one and two-year-old 
roots. Special prices on large orders. 
Complete cultural directions with each 
shipment. Write today for Free Catalog 
of Trees, Strawberry Plants, Vines, 
California Privet, etc.. Spray Pumps 
and Spraying Calendar. 
Arthur J. Collins, Box R, Mooresfown, N. J. 
A KGENTEUIL ASPARAGUS ROOTS for 
sale. Strong crowns grown from imported seed 
$5 per 1,000, selected, packed, f.o.b. E. LAURENS 
BEEKMAN, Middletown, Monmouth County, N. J. 
ASPARAGUS ROOTS 
Hundreds of thousands of strong 2-year roots, 
several varieties. Fruit Trees, standard and 
dwarf. Berry Plants, California Privet, Ever¬ 
greens; quality stock. 
Write for catalog of information. 
BARNES BROS. NURSERY CO., 
Box 8, Yalesville, Conn. 
OATS 
THAT YIELD. OurSENSATION 
OATS breaks all records. Nothing like 
it. Also SEED COHN, Samples and cata- 
logueEreo. THEO. BURT & SONS, Melrose, O. 
C hoice clover and grass seeds sola 
direct to the farmer. We have reduced our 
choice Hungarian and Millet seeds to the present 
market value. Write for samples and prices at 
once. N. WERTHEIMER & SONS, Ligonier, Ind. 
S EEDS, PLANTS. Pkt. Cucumber, Lettuce 
and Tomato for trial, 10c. Send for my Free 
List. C. H. BREWER, Rahway, N. J. 
0SEEDS 
ESTINTHEWORLD 
PRICES BELOW ALL OTHERS 
a lot of new sorts for 
with every order I fill. 
Grand Big Catalog rnrp 
Illustrated with over UitE 
700 engravings of vegetables 
and flowers. Send yours and 
neighbors’ addresses. 
AY, Rockford, Illinois 
Potato Profits! 
For every “Prosperity” Potato planted you get 
20 large, solid, smooth fellows in return. Medium 
early potato; flesh is mealy, and white as snow. 
Eyes are even with surface. Thrives in most any 
climate or soil. Withstands blight, bugs and drouth 
better than any potato we have known in our 91 
years* seed experience. If a man can’t make big 
profits growing “Prosperity” Potatoes, he ought 
to quit the agricultural business quick. 
The BOLGIANO 1910 Seed Catalogue fully de¬ 
scribes and pictures the “ Prosperity” Potato, and 
a multitude of choice varieties of garden and farm 
seed. Send for this book. It’s FREE. Be sure to 
read—on pages 3 and 4—about the great I X L To¬ 
mato,the Triumph of the Century. Our Seed Book 
offers you at very reasonable prices any kind of 
seed you may want—except commonplace or 
poor seed. We don’t sell those kinds. Your name 
on a postal brings Seed Book. Write NOW. 
J. Bolgiano SSoh. 102 E. Pratt S<, Baltimore,M o. 
PEACH TREES 
—Four and five cents—Elberta, 
etc. Orchard size. Send for 
our free catalogue. WOODBINE NURSERIES 
W. A. Allen & Sons, Geneva, Ohio. 
Fruit and Ornamental 
NURSERY STOCK. 
We liax r e a full line. 
PRIVET, A Specialty. 
New catalogue ready about middle of January. 
JOS. H. BLACK, SON & CO. 
HIGHTSTOWN, N. J. 
“STRAWBERRY PLANTS THAT GROW.” 
ties with prices; also instruction for planting and culture of Strawberries and other Small Fruits, 
asparagus and Rhubarb. 
C. E. WHITTEN’S NURSERIES, Box 11, BRIDGMAN, MICHIGAN. 
