The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-11-11

early life, and later when pro-
ing season. There is no OBJ
lection to growing small fruits, or some
otner crop requiring frequent cultlva-
uon, between the rows for few years,
provided the land is given enough plant
food to keep the trees in vigorous
growth, and to maintain the crop be-
tween the trees. The mistake is fire.
quently made of supplying the land
with food enough only for the growing
trees or for the secondary crop. The
sweet cherry, however, is coarse feed
er and will thrive on less applied fer
tlllzer than other fruits. When the
1and is too rich, or when too much slim
ulating fertilizer is applied, the entire
energy OF the tree may be DETECTED into
wood growth. 1t is not uncommon to
see cherry trees in garden spots that
produce only annual crops OF wood.
Abundance of moisture is essential to
the cherry during the bearing season,
especially just preceding and during the
rlpenlng of the fruit. In rational sys-
tenn OF culture in bearing orchards, the
light civilizations follow every ten days,
or whenever the land becomes baked,
and after every rain. till the first or
middle OF July. The mechanical condi-
ton Of the soil can be improved and
its water holding power increased by
turning under annual crops OF crimson
clover, or some other less heterogeneous
cover crop. At the last cultivation, the
crimson clover should be seeded at the
rate OF IL to II lbs. per acre, but not
till after the ground is put in as fine
condition as the grower would like to
have 1T preceding a wheat crop. Suf-
hclent humus will be supplied the or
chard in the fall growth of the clover,
which should be plowed under as soon
as the land is in condition to work in
the spring. 1t is more essential to re-
tain the moisture in the ground in the
spring by early blowing and subsequent
cultivation than to get the added
amount of humus in the spring
growth of the clover plant. Fur
thermore, the late blowing under
of the }. clover may extend the
growth of the wood beyond its
fruit buds for the coming year and I'M
rlpened immature wood Where the
trees are making too vigorous growth,
they may be checked by seeding the
orchard down one year, or the crimson
clover may be replaced by rye, buck
wheat or winter oats. Phosphorc acid
is of particular value in connection
with heterogeneous fertilizers, as it seems
to aid in maturing the wood in the fall
Besides the nitrogen in the crimson
clover. $50 to $50 lbs. of muriate Of
potash, and 300 to 500 lbs of dissolved
rock, may be considered a liberal dress
ing per acre for the sweet cherry. For
the sour cherry, the writer is Informed
by G. K. Scoon, of Geneva, one of the
most extensive growers in western
New York, that he applies lbs. of an
80 per cent muriate, and 2 lbs of IA
per cent phosphoric acid per tree either
in the spring, or when seeding with
crimson clover.
Notes BY the Way.
The drouth across the entire width
of southern Iowa has been exceedingly
severe. The water supply is a serious
question. Said leading farmer today:
"A rain which would fill the holes in
the draws would be worth many dol
lars to me. I have but one pasture out
of four which has any water in it, save
as it is pumped" Farmers are deepen
ing their ponds, and adding to the
strength of the dams.
Many of the young trees planted in
the spring are as dead as stones. Quite
good many plants, shrubs and trees
which are ironclad, SO far as cold
weather is concerned, cannot endure
drouth. Cherry trees are much more
tender in drouth than the plum. Among
the shrubs the hardy hydrangea must
be watered or it will die. That fine
shrub, the Japanese SNOWFALL, is a dear
lover Of water, must drink it or it too
will perish. So must the evergreen
shrub, the Siberian arbor vitae. This
habit of these plants I learned by sad
experience.
Apples in every direction have about
all dropped off the trees. They are
nearly all wormy, which must be the
cause. The hot sun burned the south
side Of the fruit and in many cases
caused it to rot on the trees. Many Of
the early potatoes have also suffered
from the intense, persistent heat and
are shriveled and leathery. At the
groceries potatoes are selling at from
60 cents and upwards, and many are
small
The buckwheat crop, though short in
stalk, is quite well filed. It is mostly
cut. The youngsters are anticipating
buckwheat cakes this winter with
sorghum molasses on both sides, for
nearly every farm has a good-sized
patch OF cane It is being made at 20
cents gallon, or on the halves.
The high price OF wheat has caused
quite stir on the farms and large
breadth is sown to that grain. It was
cultivated in and narrowed couple Of
times Spring wheat does not meet
with much favor with us. Chinch bugs