413 
A Profitable Ohio Apple Orchard 
Part II 
M R. RING is a convert to the Soy bean. The first 
six years of the life of the tree, there will be 
sufficient opportunity for the Soy bean to make good 
growth. After that time, the trees will have made 
such headway as to sap the soil of moisture and fer¬ 
tility, that the growth of the beans will not be as 
successful as in earlier years. Mr. Ring in the com¬ 
ing season’s planting, which will number between 45 
and 50 acres, will plant on the poorer soil Soy beans, 
and on the better soil will inter-crop with corn and 
potatoes. Tlie growth of Soy beans in previous 
years has been remarkable in Mr. Ring’s newly-set 
orchards. lie has planted Mammoth Yellow, and 
this has reached height of nearly up to the armpits 
of a good-sized man. The beans are planted in rows, 
and a half bushel of seed is used to the acre. The 
beans are cultivated, and allowed to break over and 
lie on the ground. This variety is a long-season one, 
and planted in June they do not mature pods, and 
the leaves do not shatter as readily as do the earlier 
and quick-maturing varieties. There is 
considerable growth, coupled with the 
nitrogen-gathering ability of the plant 
which he declares makes a fine means 
for increasing soil fertility and the 
humus content of the soil. The trees 
receive their regular allowance of ni¬ 
trate as well, and with the Soy beans 
are drilled 200 lbs. of acid phosphate 
to the acre. 
The practice of cultivation is fol¬ 
lowed during the Summer. This work is 
commenced in the orchard with tractor 
and double disk as soon as the ground 
is sufficiently dry. Cultivation is fol¬ 
lowed until the middle of July, at 
which time the orchard is laid by. This 
work is not inconsiderable when close 
to 150 acres are already in orchard, 
and the coming year’s expansion pro¬ 
gram will increase the acreage to close 
to 200 in orchard and other fruit, 
mainly apple orchard. 
At a higher level in Mr. Ring’s 
orchard is a reservoir, which is used 
for his water supply. This facilitates 
the preparation of his spray material. 
Mr. Ring uses lime-sulphur spray for 
the dormant application, followed by 
the pre-pink spray, the petal-fall spray, 
and 10 weeks later, another applica¬ 
tion. The varieties, such as McIntosh 
and Jonathan, which are apt to scab, 
receive an application between the 
petal-fall and the 10 weeks’ sprays. 
Lime-sulphur is used entirely in vary¬ 
ing strengths. Mr. Ring insists on 
thoroughness in spraying, and he de¬ 
clares this feature Of the work is too frequently 
neglected. The spray program for Northeastern 
Ohio, Mr. Ring declares, varies from that outlined 
for the southern part of the State, and the feature 
of this work that lie wishes to emphasize is thor¬ 
oughness, and the following of a program of one’s 
particular locality, outlined by State horticultural 
authorities. For the dormant spray he uses 1-7 
lime-sulphur and water, the pre-pink spray, 1-25, the 
petal-fall spray, 1% gallons of lime-sulphur, li^ lbs. 
of arsenate of lead to 50 gallons of water. This is 
duplicated for the spray 10 weeks later, with the 
possible exception in case of very warm weather 
prevailing; at such time one gallon of lime-sulphur 
is used to 50 gallons of water; the arsenate of lead 
remains the same. This ratio also prevails when the 
spray between the petal-fall and the 10-weeks’ ap¬ 
plication is made. Mr. Ring uses the spray-gun, and 
finds it very satisfactory, if handled properly and 
the operator does not get too close to the tree. He 
has found tlxat you will get more injury from the 
spray-gun with low than high pressure, and he car¬ 
ries from 250 to 275 lbs. pressure. Mr. Ring is so 
well equipped for spraying that in six consecutive 
days last season, there were applied 7.300 gallon- 
tanks of spray material. No effort was made for a 
record, and the favorable days succeeding each other 
were opportune. The peach trees receive only a 1 to 
12 dormant spray and arsenate of lead spray 10 days 
after the blossoms fall. 
In the matter of pruning, Mr. Ring follows 
middle-of-the-road policy. He does not believe 
excessive pruning, and at the same time pruning 
necessary to shaping the tree. This applies 
Vte RURAL NEW-YORKER 
year, but there are conditions, and among these, the 
labor available must be considered, that the young 
orchards should be pruned at least once in two years. 
The peach trees are headed back each year. 
Mr. Ring is pa vflerdarly enthusiastic about the 
opportunities in Northeastern Ohio and adjoining 
sections as a fruit and apple-producing locality. The 
rapid development of an industrial area extending 
from Detroit to Buffalo, and southward to Pittsburg, 
in his opinion constitutes excellent and rapidly 
developing market opportunities. The conditions 
which are working a hardship to the Western fruit 
grower, such as lone haul and high freight rates, are 
working in favor of the Eastern grower who deals 
directly with his distributor, or who sells direct to 
the consumer. In Mr. Ring’s locality there has been 
a wonderful and steady development particularly in 
the past few years. There are a number of fine 
orchards, smaller than Mr. Ring’s acreage, all well 
cared for, and the quality of fruit such as to make 
a reputation for the Lake Shore country in Ohio east 
of Cleveland.. 
Not alone is to be considered the successful and 
MRS. DORA B. PHILLIPS 
Whose “Tennessee Notes,” signed “Mrs. D. B. P.,” have brought a host of 
friends in touch with her mountain community. 
gradual development of a dairy farm into one of the 
largest orchards of Northeastern Ohio, but the spirit 
of the owner not only toward his business, but to¬ 
ward horticulture aud the community as well is de¬ 
serving of mention and commendation. Located 
among a number of fine, progressive fruit growers 
and farmers, Mr. Ring has not hesitated to share his 
efforts in the interests of the Farm Bureau, the 
Grange, and community activities. Mr. Ring is pub¬ 
lic-spirited, is deeply interested in agricultural prog¬ 
ress, and has been able to show what can be done in 
his section of the State in a horticultural way. Al¬ 
though very busy, Mr. Ring finds or makes time to 
-serve Ohio agriculture and horticuture in one way or 
another, willingly. Walter e. jack. 
crop to turn under. We used with seeding, 250 lbs. 
of a 2-12-2 fertilizer throughout. We, therefore, 
applied with a spreader eight loads to acre of 
manure, covering section twice or using lb loads 
to acre where 600-lb. sulphur application had been 
made. During growing season, so far as I could 
judge, this field made an even growth, and when 
it was dug there was Ectle or no variation in 
.'leld per row. The variety of potato was Russet, 
nut of over 1,100 bushels yield we had 60 bushels of 
culls, some with but one scab spot on them and all 
salable. I. therefore, am much pleased with action 
of sulphur on that field. 
DIFFERING CONDITIONS.—On another field 
where potatoes showed a tendency to scab, before 
planting in 1923. 1 applied 3(H) lbs. to acre. We 
had no moisture and an early August frost cut 
field dow n. Scab on that field showed no increase 
neither was it eliminated. This I am certain was 
due to lack of moisture to dissolve the sulphur. 
EXPENSE INVOLVED.—Now the question 1 get 
mostly is. Does it pay? There was an article in 
the Country Gentleman during 1923 in which the 
contributor stated that he could raise 
spuds ’ for .$35 per acre. I am much 
afraid that as potato growers we are 
altogether out of that man’s class. 
While we are located in ideal potato 
climate with cool nights, while our soil, 
a sandy loam free from stone, is noted 
for growing potatoes, our fields large 
for economical machine working, and 
all we grow is potatoes, yet we have 
hard work to keep our cost per acre 
down to $125, dug and in storehouse. 
If we apply manure it exceeds that 
figure, and if we use sulphur at rate 
of 300 lbs. per acre it adds $10 to each 
acre cost. 
Is it efficient? I fully believe that 
inoculated sulphur will control scab to 
a large extent. 
EFFECT ON FUTURE CROPS.— 
Does it hurt land for future crops? I 
am convinced that an application of 
600 lbs. to acre on our soil is injurious, 
and would not advise use of more than 
300 lbs. per acre. We shall seed this 
field down to Sweet, Alsike and Mam¬ 
moth clover, using some vetch and Tim¬ 
othy, all inoculated, and at rate of 20 
lbs. to acre. Time alone can tell us 
what will happen. We use a large 
quantify of commercial fertilizer of 
high analysis, which tends to sweeten 
soil. Scab thrives in a sweet soil. If 
we are to continue growing seed pota¬ 
toes we probably shall have to continue 
lining inoculated sulphur to counteract 
the fertilizer effect. We have to use 
fertilizer in large quantities as does 
I 
a 
In 
is 
to 
tipples. Mr. Ring recommends a light pruning each 
Inoculated Sulphur for Potato Scab 
NTERESTING RESULTS.—During 1922 a field 
was treated at rate of GOO, 300 and 250 lbs. per 
acre of inoculated sulphur, respectively. We found 
the 600-lb. treatment directly affected plant growth, 
whereas 300 lbs. seemed, if anything, to increase it. 
This field was a total loss two years previously, 
being practically 100 per cent scab; a great propor¬ 
tion almost unrecognizable as potatoes. Sulphur 
treatment as above cut total scab to not over 5 per 
cent, and they were all salable as culls. But the 
600-lb. treatment, made on best end of field, cut yield 
about 100 bushels to acre less than that portion 
receiving the 300-lb. treatment. In order to see 
what the result would be the second year I seeded 
to rye. One could see distinctly where treatments 
changed, and where the heavy application of sul¬ 
phur had been made. We had practically no cover 
. 4 vtv./vO 
every large potato grower in the East. We are ail 
figuring very close to live. If we could always be 
sure of a fair price for potatoes we should ignore 
the additional cost of sulphur. But as matters stand 
we are like most farmers, selling for less than cost 
of production, and are working for love of the game. 
In other words we are one dollar a year men and 
can’t help it. 
RHIZOCTONIA:—Our seed is always soaked in 
corrosive sublimate, yet finished product often is 
covered with it. Field two years in potatoes with 
sulphur well dissolved, applied 1922, showed not a 
trace. Field that had sulphur applied 1923 showed 
only a trace. Whether this is merely a condition, or 
Whether sulphur has an unknown action on rhizoc- 
tonia we can determine only as we experiment. 
Oswego Co., N. Y WALTER MILLER. 
R. N.-Y.—Let us all understand that “inoculated 
sulphur” is limestone ground to a fine powder and 
containing the germs which produce sulphuric acid. 
When it is put in the soil this inoculated sulphur 
gives an acid reaction which prevents or delays the 
growth of scab germs. 
A wealthy woman recently died, leaving six valuable 
dogs. Her will stated that these dogs” were to be 
promptly chloroformed. Now various friends consider 
that these dogs are so valuable that the will must be 
broken m order to save them. Lawyers have been enr- 
!f V-iV° hun , [ or some ' va y of saving these dogs Oh 
if children could be considered as valuable as .such dogs! 
Now we have a letter from a man on the New Eng¬ 
land coast who wants to supply baled seaweed for litter 
m Poultry houses. This stuff is raked up on the shore 
and baled. It contains seaweed, kelp, shells and ,„>b- 
u S V, , • s , ays , tile ,UM1S “oat it with good relish.” We 
should think there would be too much salt in it;, but we 
should like to see it tried. 
