The record-union., 1891-12-17

lH6E6 has always Db0l; dHOuS LldIh6b-
growers, belief that heavy fertiiiza-
ton of tomatoes viii lessen the yield, and
prevalent opinions of this kind among
farmers or gardeners, even when no suf-
6cient reason can be given for them, usu-
ally turn out, upon careful investigation,
to have basis of truth; and yet, in spite
of the belief above mentioned, tests
which have been conducted for some
years at the various agricultural expert
ment stations have given almost uni
formly larger yields where the land was
heavily manured. Oh. course the charac-
ter of the soil may have some influence
and the character of the fertilizer may
have still more, but recent bulletin from
the Cornell Station is worthy of attention,
because, while the experiments recorded
still show that heavy fertilization in
creases the crop, it is also explained that
under certain circumstances the popular
view of the case may be the true one.
Inc productivenesS OF tomato plant de-
plendS largely upon its earllneSS or on its
ability to give the greatest number of
plckings before frost Therefore, any
fertilizer which starts off the plant rapidly
in its early growth and haStens the APP
pearance Of fruit is beneficial We can
conceive however, that whenever plant
food that is Immediately available is ap-
piled late in the season it will cause q
vigorous growth of the plant, and thus
delay production and ripeDing of the
fruit. The same effect might follow the
early application of raw and coarse stable
litter, in which the plant-food can not be
made ready for assimilation until late in
the season.
In order to determine the results of a
late application of fertilizer, nitrate of soda
was used at the rate OF ten pounds to
seventeen plants at one application, on
the 2lth of June, a fortnight after the
plants were set. On a similar number of
plants the same amount of nitrate was
applied at intervals of three weeks, in
applications OF two and three weeks
each. the results showed striking differ
ences. The first lot of plants up to the
last week of September gave a much
higher yield in the number of fruits to
the plant and in the average weight of the
crop. After that date, however, the in
termittent application of the fertilizer in
the second lot was beginning to be felt; /;
and, as frost held off unusually long, this
lot, taking the season through, gave the
best yield. If, however, the frost had
come at a time when it usually does, the
popular belief would have been vindi-
Gated. The rule seems to be that quick
fertilizer, like nitrate of soda, ought not
to be applied in this climate as late as the
latter part of August. AS this fertilizer,
however, is readily dissolved in water
and escapes in drainage, it is not advisa-
bic to make it in one heavy application
early in the season, but it should be dis
tributed in different applications, and ex-
tended from the time of planting until
midsummer. OF course nitrate of soda
is not a complete fertilizer. and both pot
ash and phosphoric acid, in some form,
may be needed, too. All these materials
are found in good farmyard manure, and
no mistake will be made when this
is abundantly applied early in the season,
provided it has been thoroughly disinte-
grated.-Garden and Forest.
PLANTING FRUIT TREES.
''Shall we set out orchards, and how?''
is the question often asked. The answer
must be conditional. Whatever may be
your aim and intention, whether for
money making or for family supply, do
not set any trees unless you are fully
prepared to give them the best attention.
Do not take the trouble without procur-
ing trees which you know to be good
good varieties, healthy, fresh, and well
dug with good roots. A handsome
growth is Of less consequence; a tree with
slight crook will grow straight in time
if thrifty and well taken care of. Many
persons when they transplant seem to
think that if the trees are only set out
that is all they need-that they will then
take care of themselves, requiring no
further care. Between haSty setting,
crowded roots, hard ground, a soil becom-
ing hard and crusted, and free growth
of grass and weeds, the best return they
can make is a feeble growth; more COM
monty they wither and die if the season
is dry, and many are lost under this
neglected treatment.
Never set out an orchard for market
without first finding out by past expert
ence that the locality is a good one, and
that the trees grow and bear well, if well
cultivated and taken care of; select the
varieties which suit the place and which
viii have a good conveyance to good
market. Do not neglect them, but watch
them against the attacks of all insects.
But if the orchard is a small one, in
tended only for family use, then set them
out near your home, with less care to
have only profitable kinds. With fewer
trees, make more general assortment,
and then If some sorts happen not to
bear one year they will be more likely to
bear the next, and vice versa. You will
have greater or less chances every year.
If some trees are barren for once, the loss
will not be formidable. You will find
out which are the best and most reliable
without much loss or outlay. But do not
fall into the error of SuppoSing that this
valuable little orchard does not need care.
Enrich the soil, cultivate it well, destroy
depredators and give general attention ;
and in taking good care of the crop. YOU
will find out the blessing and luxury of
fresh fruit all the season round.-Rural
Californian.
PRUNING APRICoTS.
The nature OF the apricot tree should
be thoroughly understood by the pruner.
In most parts of California it is a vigor-
Gus grower and is often subject TO over
bearing. The fruit is borne on the wood
OF the previous years growth and also
upon two and three-year-old spurs. lg-
norance of this latter characteristic has
often been the cause of growers losing
entire crops, the fruiting wood being all
removed by lily informed prunerS. I'm
less the apricot tree is trained properly
from the beginning, 1t is very difficult to
prevent the branches from breaking un-
der the load of fruit, even when due at
tentlon has been given TO thinning. The
main branches should be started very
close to the ground and be evenly dis
tributed along the trunk. Many growers
prefer the encouraging of a central STEM
along which other branches can be dis
tributed, so that the tree will have a
strong body and be compact in form
When grown in this way and the fruit
thinned properly, props viii not be neces-
sary and splitting of the branches in the
fruiting season will be avoided.
The annual pruning should depend
somewhat upon the years growth, and
should consist in cutting back from one
half TO two-thirds of the new wood, care
being taken to balance the head of the
tree and relieve any overgrown or slen-
der branches. The small side branches,
or laterals, as they are usually called,
upon which the fruit Is borne, are best
shortened in leaving from three TO five
inches. as may seem eXpedient. Weak or
superfluous growth. or branches that