Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-06-28


and several of them started to grow,
but finally all of them died but two
"A mistake was made in cutting
off the plant above the bud so short
time after the buds had been inserted.
Besides it is not advisable to cut the
whole plant above the bud, but about
half of it, leaving from eight to ten
inches of the Seeding to grow until the
bud had started and is sending out
leaves. But cutting them off as you
did, above the bud. the buds were
flooded out by the sap forced up by the
root of the Seeding
OWN the California grapes sue
ceeded in Maryland, the cuttings COM
ing from one hundred and fifty TO two
hundred miles north of San Francisco ::
A.-The California grapes will not do
well in any part of the East. Various
attempts have been made in growing
them, but all have resulted in failures
They may be grown successfully in
Q.-Is there any advantage in using
apple Seeding roots from bitter apple
in the way of keeping out borers:
A.-No, there is no advantage.
Q.-Is there such thing as a "yel-
lowless" peach:
Ave know of no variety of peaches
that is not susceptible to the disease.
Q.-Can you give me any informa-
tion i'll regard to a seedless pear. and it's
value:
A.-Various attempts have been
made to produce seedless pears and
other fruits. and the only success that
has been attained is in the case of the
orange. We know of no variety of seed
less pears.
Q.-How should asparagus be plant
ed and cared for to obtain the best sue
cess.
Alt is impossible to answer this
question fully, without writing a some-
what lengthy article to cover all the
details of the work. A brief outline on
ly will be given.
The soil for asparagus should be deep,
rich loan. well drained. ami in good
state of cultivation. The plants should
be planted in rows four to five feet apart.
and the plants should be from twelve to
fifteen inches apart in the rows. 1t is
best to open up the burrows by plowing
two or three times This will make the
work of planting easier. After plow-
ing, open up the burrows wide enough
to permit the roots to be planted with
out cramping them. Plant to the depth
of four to six inches. depending upon
the texture of the soil. Do not cut the
plantation any for the first year after
planting. In the fall, after the frost
has killed the tops, NOW them off, and
apply good coat of stable manure over
the plants for winter projections; also
throw up two burrows over the rows
with plow. In the spring cultivate
thoroughly. and keep it up until about
the middle of June. The plants should
be grown i'll the nursery row for at least
one year before they are transplanted
into the permanent field.
Q.-Please give me directions how to
grow peaches successfully:
A.-Success i'll any undertaking is
personal element. and can be supplied
only by the grower himself. The follow
ing suggestions may be helpful:
Soil and Location:-Peaches do best
on light soils. The soils should be well
drained. and. if possible. have some
elevation. Never plant peaches on low
lands The orchard should be cultivated
regularly, starting as early as possible
in the spring and continue until the
middle of June, when it should be seed
ed to some cover crops, such as cow
peas or crimson clover. This cover crop
should be plowed under in the early
spring to permit it to decompose readily.
Pruning:-The shape of the tree is a
matter of personal opinion. Most grow
ers recommend low heading to facilitate
packing and spraying. Prune so as to
keep the fruit distributed as evenly as
possible over the trees, and keep the
tree open i'll the centre to permit air and
light to circulate through the trees.
Since the fruit is borne OH the last sea-
sons growth. prune so as to have good
supply of young wood every year.
By using cover crops there is no need
in supplying nitrogen to the soil. but a
small application of potash and phospho-
ric acid should be added each year.
Q.-Will figs succeed in Maryland.
and what are the best varieties:
A.-Figs cannot be grown on com
mercial scale in Maryland, as the eli.
mate is too severe for them. They can.
however, be grown in a small way. if
covered up during the winter with
straw or corn stalks, which should be
tied.
Q.-When is the proper time to spray
fruit trees?
Aft depends on the kind of tree.
and the object of spraying. For frui