Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-06-28
ANSWERS toQuesfons
Placed in the Farmers Institute Qeustion Bo1. An
sqvered by Horticultural Department.

-
Prof. Amos, during the year attracted
many of our most prominent agricul-
turists and many questions We're asked
by them. Some of these questions had
to be carefully answered and the De-
partment has issued bulletin to the
State press giving some of the questions
and answers from which we Gull the
following:
Q.-To what depth should cantaloupe
be planted: Is there any difference i'll
depth of planting in light and heavy
soil:
A-The deapth at which to plant the
seeds depends upon the nature OF the
soil. The seed should be planted deep
er in light soil that i'll heavy. For or
binary melon soil cover the seeds about
two inches If the soil is heavy and
moist one inch is generally sufficient.
Q.-Would you advise the planting
of peaches between the apples:
A.-The planting of peaches between
the rows of apples is often done. and If
the apple trees are far enough apart
and the orchard is given the best of at
tention and cultivation and properly
fertilizcd. it can be done successfully.
The peach trees should be removed as
soon as the apple trees need the room to
themselves, and should not in any way
be permitted to interfere with their
growth. Young peach trees should
never be planted between the rows OF
an apple orchard i'll full bearing. nor Is
it advisable to plant peaches between
old apple trees. 1t is far better to re-
move the old trees and start a new or
chard 1t should also be borne in mind
that in double planting extra care and
larger applications of fertilizers are nec-
essary.
Q.-How can you tell when the moon
is right for planting:
Alt is no longer believed that the
moon has any influence upon the germi-
nation # the seed, and the consequent
growth of the plant, and it makes no
difference of what position the moon
occupies relative to us.
Q.-Do you consider it advisable for
the farmers to pack their own tomatoes
A-No: we do not consider 1t advisa-
BILE under ordinary circumstances for
the farmer to pack their own tomatoes,
except what is needed for home con-
sumption. Ordinarily. he cannot hope
to compete with the commercial packer.
who makes business of it.
Own the magnolia tree of the
South do well in Maryland:
Alt is not safe to plant the mag
nolia in Maryland, except in few
sheltered places, and under extraor-
binary care and protection. 1t is not
hardy so far north.
Q.-Can you tell us how to get more
than 81 90 per ton for our tomatoes:
A.-The question is somewhat diff
cult to answer without knowledge of
the question of location as to market.
For canning purposes 800 per ton is
generally considered fair price. 1t
the grower is fortunate enough to live
close to some large market. and if he
has the facil tiles for starting the plants
early, so as to bring the fruit into
market before the average grower he is
sure to obtain good price for his pro-
duct, but living at some distance from
a large market, and i'll canning centre.
it is difficult to see how larger price
can be obtained. The price is generally
regulated by the supply and demand.
Q.-How will small roots of an old
apple tree do for root grating:
Alt is not economical to use any.
thing but seedlings obtained from the
nurseries for root grating of apples.
They may be obtained from almost any
nursery firm at price ranging from
thirty to forty cents hundred. We
know of no instance where old roots
have been used for root grating.
Q.-Wouldi it be advisable to use peach
seeds from an orchard which has the
yellows:
Alt is not advisable to use the
seeds from peach trees which we know
to have the ycllows. The seeds should
come from healthy and vigorous trees.
Q.-Is the natural peach seed from
Tennessee (as claimed by some nursery.
mem better than seed taken from an
orchard of cultivated peaches Ill good
state of cultivation and health:
A.-There has been considerable said
and written about the advantages of
the natural seed of the peach from
Tennessee, and most nurserymen claim
to get their seed from this source. 1t is
IA well known fact, however, that most
of the seed used by the nuserymen come
from the canning factories. The supply
of natural seed from Tennessee is very
limited. and probably does not supply
one-fiftieth part OF the demand. 1t is
now believed that the seed from
healthy peach orchard is as good. if
not better, than the seed from the ma
turals.