Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-03-23

wishou. Money Blu. Beyond Price.

AhO ototc ASIicuituTIi (Ollegc mas
Just issued volume under the above
name, from the Horticultural Depart
ment of the Experiment Station. that
cannot fail To be of interest, and will
certainly be of value, TO every farmer
and fruit grower of the State, who Is
uortunate enough 10 secure copy, and
whe carries out the directions there
given, in the care of his fruit gardens
and orchards.
III really contains four bulletins, one OF
r which alone is well worth the price of "a
years subscription to this paper, but by
q special arrangement with the College
authorities we are able To offer the four,
in one neatly bound volume, To any of
our subscribers, residing in the State of
Michigan, who will comply with the
conditions named later on, and who in
writing for the book states that he is
subscriber to- either the GRATIor
Journal, REPUBLICAN LEADER, or
ALMA RECORD.
While they can be secured without
money. every one who obtains "A copy
> will tind them beyond price The bulle-
nins are continuation of the series
begun in 1885, and are numbered con-
ssecutively from 103 to LOG.
Bulletin l03 is an elaborate symposi-
sum upon peach and plum culture in
Michigan, by the hortlculturist OF the
station, l.. Il. Taft. 1t discusses in an
interesting manner the natural cond-
tions that have given Michigan its
present standing as "A fruit-growing
state, and indicates the localities best
adapted to the successful cultivation of
The above-named fruits. Since so much
depends upon the soil, exposure, eleva-
ton and other surroundings, consid-
cradle space is very properly DEVOTED
TO those subjects. We learn from this
bulletin that the Michigan peach belt
extends along the shore of Lake Michi-
gan, from south of st. Joseph well TO
the north of CharlevoiX, and varies in
width from ten to thirty miles; here
peaches can be grown with success in
almost any elevated spot. Near the
lake, however. the conditions are so
favorable, owing to the ameliorating
influence of the open waters of Lake
Michigan, that in many sections, sue
cess has been obtained in localities
where the land is quite low and level
Away from the lake in the interior
counties, notably, Lenawee, Washte-
nav, Hillsdale, jackson, Calhoun,
Clinon and Kent, and in favorable
locations in others, good results have
been obtained with this tickle crop,
when it has been cared for intelligntly.
The methods of handling the orchards
recommended. are based upon actual
experience at the college, and are those
practiced by our most successful fruit
growers. The preparation of the ground,
the nursery culture of the trees, the
planting and pruning of the orchards
and their after cultivation are discussed
at length. The different methods of
pruning the trees are illustrated by
photographs of actual trees varying from
one to live years Of age. The matter Of
manures and fertilizers is also given con-
siderable attention. The conclusion is
that. while decoml osed stable manure
is excellent as fertilizer, it is likely TO
produce a late growth, and that the
trees. as well as the fruit buds, are more
likely to be injured by the winter than
when chemical fertilizers are used. The
nature of the different materials needed
by the trees receives attention and
fOrmu,p for miXiag the fertilizers are
given.
The lists of varieties recommended
have been passed upon by some Of the
best known fruit-growers, and one could
hardly 20 astray who uses the kinds
mentioned. Illustrations of nine leading
varieties If plums are also given. They
were drawn from photographs and show
the size and shape Of the fruits to good
advantage.
The insects and diseases that prey
upon these fruits are described and sew
eral of them are illustrated; particular
attention is given TO the yellows, rot and
leaf-eurl of the peach, and the black
knot, shot-hole fungus. rot and curculio
of the plum and remedies for lighting
these and other pests are carefully pre-
scented. Formulas for preparing all of
the leading insecticides and fuugicides,
that are used not only against the in
sects and diseases of the peach and
plum. but for those of other plants, are
given, and the directions for their appli-
cation will answer in nearly all cases.
The new legislature enacted new
yellows and black knot law, and it is
given in full in the bulletin. Fruit
growers, in sections where these dread
diseases prevail, should inform and
avail themselves Of its provisions, and
thus save their own and their neighbours
trees. This bulletin is the only publ.
cation upon the cultivation of these
fruits that is in any way up to the
times, or that is adapted to our con-
ditions. In the final pages, gathering,
packing and marketing of the fruit is
considered.
Bulletin l04 entitled "A Year Among
Fruits" is the report of the South
Haven sub-station, by the veteran POM
.ologist, L. T. Lyon. who describes in
detail the operations in the extensive
strial orchards and small fruit planta-