342 
THE F? XJ RAb NEW-YORKER 
March 7, 
How Much Wood Growth Desirable ? 
It is about as hard to determine how 
much a tree should grow in a season, as 
to fix the proper increase of weight for 
an animal. One tree may make a growth 
of six feet in a season and remain vigor¬ 
ous and healthy, while another along¬ 
side may not make half as much growth 
and not be as healthy. I aim to secure 
a rapid growth early in the season, and 
by means of a cover crop, check the 
growth in time to ripen properly before 
Winter sets in. I have a young peach 
orchard which has been planted two sea¬ 
sons, which the past season made growths 
of five or six feet in many instances. 
This is probably excessive, and two- 
thirds as much would have been safer. 
Contrary to my usual custom, I grew 
strawberries in it last season, and the 
late cultivation allowed the growth to 
continue longer than usual, and if con¬ 
ditions had not been favorable for ripen¬ 
ing, there would have been considerable 
danger of winter-killing. I like to se¬ 
cure in the young trees as rapid growth 
as is consistent with health i\ order to 
secure a large bearing surface, and the 
capacity for large crops, as soon as pos¬ 
sible. After a few years’ growth, how¬ 
ever, I try in the case of apples, to in¬ 
duce fruitfulness by a slower growth and 
less pruning for a few years, until the 
energies of the tree are diverted into that 
channel, when I again resume pruning 
and feeding. I have old bearing peach 
orchards that do not make over a foot 
of new growth annually, but that is 
usually caused by a very heavy crop the 
previous year, and is below normal. If 
I have a pear or apple tree which has 
not attained its full size, I am not satis¬ 
fied if it does not make more than a foot 
of growth, unless it have borne a heavy 
load of fruit. If it has borne nothing 
and is under 15 years old it should make 
from one to two feet at least, depending 
on varieties. \ : m- 
Of course a tree 25 or 30 years old, 
and bearing crops, will not make much 
growth, perhaps often not more than six 
inches. Some trees concentrate their 
energies on a few -limbs of long growth, 
. while others form a multitude of small 
branches of shorter growth. I believe a 
greater annual growth can be safely pro¬ 
duced where the tree is fed a properly 
balanced ration, than where there is a 
deficiency of any element of plant food, 
or of moisture. We expect the peach to 
mature earlier than other trees, and also 
to begin bearing younger, hence we ex¬ 
pect more rapid growth, and I find no 
trouble with growths of three or four 
feet annually, provided it is secured early 
in the season, and from properly balanced 
rations. Once a tree “gets the habit” of 
bearing heavily, there is not much danger 
of excessive growth. 
Ohio. w. W. FARNSWORTH. 
How 
do 
v 
Girdling Trees. 
You speak of girdling trees, 
you do it, and at what time of the year 
Is it just applied to apple trees?* 
Lamar, Mo. K. b. d. 
Girdling trees to make them bear can 
be done successfully and safely if the 
proper precautions are observed. There 
is almost no danger whatever in girdling 
apple, pear and quince trees, but peach, 
plum and cherry trees would die from 
the same operation at the same time. 
This is because they do not heal over the 
wounds as the pome fruit trees do. The 
time to do the girdling is when the trees 
are in their most vigorous state of 
growth, which is usually in June, and 
that is when I have always done it. A 
ring of bark from one to four inches wide 
should be taken out entirely around the 
trunk of the tree, but care should be 
used that the slimy cambium layer un¬ 
der the bark is not mutilated. From 
this soft matter the new wood and bark 
is formed. The interruption of the cir¬ 
culation is what checks the growth and 
causes the formation of fruit buds much 
more abundantly than would naturally 
occur. To run a knife simply through 
the bark, making a ring around the tree 
in one or two places will have consider¬ 
able effect. So will binding a wire very 
tightly around the trunk or a branch 
and removing it after the season of 
growth is over. It chokes off the circu¬ 
lation in some measure, and causes fruit 
bud formation. But the removal is ne¬ 
cessary, or there might be permanent in¬ 
jury. H. E. VAN DEM AN. 
Importing Fruit Trees from Europe. 
On page 38 I note an inquiry about 
importing fruit trees from Europe and 
as I happen to be w r ell posted on the 
subject by practical experience, I am 
led to reply. After passing my three- 
fourth century milestone (seventy-fifth 
birthday) I determined to make a change 
in my occupation, and having been famil¬ 
iar with dwarf fruit tree culture in my 
young days in the “Old Country,” I de¬ 
cided on taking up that subject for 
further experimentation and established 
a dwarf fruit tree nursery, and sent to 
Europe for a stock for propagating dwarf 
trees on Puget Sound (a country 
admirably adapted to the purpose). My 
first shipment consisted of Doucin and 
Paradise apple stock, Myrobalan plum. 
Angers quince, Mahaleb cherry. These 
I procured from France, and had them 
shipped to New York by steamer, where 
I had a consignee who received them and 
instructed him to pay <ustom duties and 
all other expenses. I had him ship the 
stock to me at this place, which alto¬ 
gether made a journey of over 0.000 
miles. Then I procured a shipment of 
stock of one and two-year-old dwarf ap¬ 
ple, pear, plum, cherry, peach, nectarine 
and apricots, with small fruits consist¬ 
ing of currants and gooseberries, etc. 
These were shipped to me from South¬ 
ampton via. New York, and then across 
the continent to Puget Sound. Both 
these shipments arrived in good order, 
arriving in 30 days from Southampton 
at a cost of over 100 per cent, advance 
over prices of stock at the nursery in 
Europe. 
My next and most of my future orders 
I had sent by “parcel post,” which I 
then began to exploit. It must be re¬ 
membered here that this was four years 
before parcel post was introduced in this 
country, never thought I could at that 
time procure an unlimited number of 
packages from Europe provided none 
weighed over 11 pounds. I found the 
parcel post admirably adapted to my re¬ 
quirement as dwarf fruit tree nursery¬ 
man with the advantage of requiring only 
15 days for transportation of over (5.000 
miles and all the importation charges, 
such as freight, brokerage, transporta¬ 
tion, docking, wharfage, were eliminated 
and covered by the postal charges on each 
parcel, while the duty was eallected by the 
local postmaster at this end, which reduced 
the importation charges over and above 
the nursery price less than 50 per cent, 
advance on shipment. Thus I continued 
my work until 1913, with the fullest 
satisfaction, when I had to send for a 
shipment (to fill up shortages of certain 
dwarf stock) to my correspondent in 
Europe, instead of receiving which I re¬ 
ceived a notice that the United States 
Board of Horticulture had issued new in¬ 
structions as to importation of fruit 
trees from Europe; that importer should 
first procure a permit from the Board 
of Horticulture in Washington, D. C.. 
naming a list of the varieties required, 
and address of the grower in Europe 
where they were to be purchased. This 
permit was issued in triplicate, one copy 
of which was to be filed with the Board 
at Washington, D. C., one to be for¬ 
warded to the custom house at port of 
shipment, and one retained by importer. 
Then the U. S. agent resident in London 
would appoint an expert to examine the 
stock at the nursery provided a fee of 
$10 and probably $10 or $15 more for 
traveling expenses, etc. 
But that was not all, for in their 
bureaucratic wisdom and high mightiness 
they prohibited in toto the privilege of 
pax-eel post being allowed any nursery 
stock whatever! And this I called the 
death blow to my nursery ! Having now 
reached my eighty-first year the only 
thing I could do and avoid unnecessary 
worry at my time of life was to close 
my nursery, which I have already done. 
While the foregoing is the present state 
of matters, were I a younger man I 
would still hold on until the Panama 
Canal is open, when nursery stock may 
be shipped by passenger steamer from 
Southampton via New York in bond, to 
forward on the Pacific coast or via 
Panama Canal, eliminating the overland 
charges by rail as well as all liability 
to snow blockades and at much less cost 
than the overland rates from New York 
to the Pacific coast at present. 
Whatcom Co., Wash. a. w. 
You Can Depend Upon 
Allen’s Strawberry Plants 
Strawberry growers must set out plants that will thrive 
and bear fruit true to name. You cannot afford to take 
chances with carelessly grown plants. 
Buy Allen’s True-to-Name Plants 
and you are more certain of large crops of big, delicious strawberries. 
Allen’s plants are hardy, vigorous and heavy yielders of luscious fruit 
because they are carefully grown from healthy stock. 
All Standard Varieties—Any Quantity 
f Prompt Shipment 
All the early and late strains of standard varieties of strawberries for every 
soil and climate requirement. Over 120 acres are devoted to strawberry 
culture alone at the Allen Nurseries. Over 29 years’ successful experi¬ 
ence growing berry plants of the best quality. Allen’s plants are carefully 
selected and packed fresh for shipment and guaranteed true to name. 
Here’s What Customers Say: 
From California —Plants arrived today in fine shape. 
The growers in tiiis locality as well as myself are de¬ 
lighted with them. I). K. Duncan', LosAngeles County. 
From Missouri —Received plants O. K. They surprised 
me. Ko fine, ]>acked nicely in bunches, with roots all 
straight down, one plant like the other and no scrubs 
in them. Josetii Vouel, Jefferson County. 
From Montana —The plants came through quickly 
and in fine condition. .Matt W. Anueiison, Lewis and 
Clark County. 
From New York —Wish to acknowledge for the Sta¬ 
tion receipt of strawberry plants. Arrived in good 
condition. A. JL Taylor, Geneva, X. Y. 
From Florida- Plant- received in line condition and 
everything satisfactory. 1. W. Peck, Manatee County. 
Write for 1914 Berry Book 
Tells how to plant and cultivate strawberries and other 
small fruits, n lists and describes Allen's True-to-Name 
Blackberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Currant s, 
Grai»cs. Asparagus, etc. Well 
illustrated and full of valuable 
information for fruit growers 
and gardeners. You should 
have this book for reference. 
Write today for a free copy. 
W. F. ALLEN 
72 Market Street 
Salisbury, Maryland 
Acre 
Actually made growing the latest kinds of 
Ever-Bearing Strawberries 
THAT FRUIT SAME YEAR AS PLANTED 
Don’t buy until you write for my Free Catalog telling 
what kinds to grow and bow to grow them. 
C. S. KEMPTON, Longmeadow, Mass. 
Grower of the famous Longmeadow Cantaloupe. 
“There is no better authority in the East regarding melon 
culture than Mr. Kempton.” — Editorial New England 
Homestead. 
12 
APPLE 
Tf?EES 
I | oo 
DIRECT FROM GROWERS—Sot* agents’ profits. No scale, True to name. 
| 1- AppU Tree*, $1—3-etch. Duchess, Baldwin, Ben Darla, N. Spy, Greening. 
Winter Banana. 12 Cherry Trees, 98c—2-each. L. Montmorency, E Rich¬ 
mond, Dye house, Black Tartarian, Lambert, Bing. All fine two-year. 
Write tiozv for FREE, catalogue of complete line. 
REILLY BROS. NURSERIES. 88 Rollly Road. Danav«Jlo ( N. Y. 
12 
CHERRY 
TREES/? 
. 98 /. 
PLANTS. DIRECT FROM GROWER 
75 varieties, Strawberries, Rasp¬ 
berries, Blackberries, etc. Honest 
goods. Prices reasonable. Write us. 
A. 6. BLOUNT, Box 122, Hastings, S. V. 
the “new Standpat Everbearing Strawberry 
and other important new varieties. 
Our 21st annual catalog now ready. 
C. N.BXANSUUKGU & SON, Jackson, Mich. 
STRAW BERRY PLANTS 
We have eight that have been selected out of a 
hundred; eight that are TRUE BLUE If you wish 
that kind send for our 1914 catalogue. I)o not cost 
any more than common stock. ROMANCE SEED. PLANT 
AND TRUCK FARMS, Caleb Boons & Son, Cheswold, Delaware 
Strawberry Plants“$ h9 *™% 
plants, well rooted and budded. 100 other varieties. 
Great money makers. W rite for catalogue. Address 
WILKINS S CO., Wilkins Builtlinu, Salisbury. Maryland 
3,000,000 Strawberry Plantsi? i w,$Soto t 6 
per 1,000. A customer says; --J am well pleased. Never laid 
nicer Strawberry Plants. Martin Nye, Hmnmelstown, Pa.’ 
All I he best varieties. Satisfaction and sate delivery guar 
nntecd. Wholesale and Retail Catalogue free. Write to¬ 
day and save money. C. S. PERDUE, Ilox 20, Shunt'll, Md. 
Strawhorrv Plante - Leading Varieties. $2 and 
Olidnuerry ridlllbjosofo, 1000. Apple trees, $8 to 
$15 for 100. California Privet, $12 for 1000. Stock guar¬ 
anteed. Catalog free. G. E. Buulinu & Sons, Selby ville, Del. 
St. Regis Raspberry”, 
\ ines and up-to-date money making Strawberry and 
Blackberry Plants. Apply Banj. Barrett, Blue Anchor, N. J 
RIPE TOMATOES 
Earlier than yon ever had before 
THE BALL NEED AND PLANT FORCF.B enable* you to 
plant cverytliiug in your garden 
\ , _ 1 weeks ahead. Will give your 
V seeds and plants same protection 
i 4 os if under sash. When taken 
off you will have a transforma- 
1 tion never dreamed of. Cheap 
enough to use them by the thou¬ 
sands. Send for my beautifully 
illustrated book showing the 
marvelous results that are 
i 1 yours by using our methods. 
TMSl Let me tell you more about 
this and other wonderful 
i money-making Inventions 
for the garden. To be had 
only from 
THE BALL MFG. CO., Dept. K 
Patent ApplUri For. Glenside, Pannn. 
CTIiA WBERKY PJLA NTS—Guaranteed true-to- 
M name. Best varieties at reasonable prices. Cata* 
logue Free- E. W. JOHN SON & BR0., Salisbury, Marylaod 
Strawberry Plants That Grow 
All standard varieties. Also RASPBERRY BLACK¬ 
BERRY, CURRANT, and GRAPE PLANTS and ASPARAGUS 
ROOTS in assortment. Warranted True-to-Name 
Catalog with Cultural instructions FREE. 
C. IS. WHITTEN, Box 11, Bridgman, Mich 
STRAWBERRIES 
AND OTHER SMALL FRUIT PLANTS 
My large illustrated Berry Book tells the Plain Truth 
about the leading new nud standard varieties of SIrmv- 
berriea and all kinds of Small Fruit Plants. Axuur- 
Kgua. Etc. Write for a copy at once. Sent Free. 
J <! E E V Elt BE A BIX « ST It A WBF. It KIES 
are fully described. Your name on postal brings catalog. 
L. G. TINGLE, i>G Bull road Are., Plttavllle, Md. 
GUIDE 
Collins’ 1914 Garden and Orchard Guide includes only practical, ( 
. .. , proved varieties ol fruit trees, small fruits, vegetable roota and v * cl ' 
decorative plants. Over 150,000 peach, pear and apple trees alone. Explains unique 
fllonaj-baving: Sales Plan. Saves money— shows how to mako more money. 
Free. Write today for your copy. 
AKTHUR J. COLLINS, Box 31, Moorestown. N. J. 
