The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-01-02
FARMERS INSTITUTE.
Two Contributions, Well Written and
Timely Upon Subjects to
Be Discussed.
BOTH INTERESTING TO HUSBANDMtN.
Apple Growing Profitable Industry-Our
This Fruit-A Plea For a Good Attend
ance at the Meeting to BE Held in Oak
land Next Week.
To the Editor of The Republican.

/ To the Editor OF The Republican.
DEAR SIR Il have had the advan-
tage recsntly of attending the meet
| ing of the Maryland State Horticul-
toral Society held in Baltimore and
also the special Farmers Institute at
| Towson on December 18th and |
have thought that might be able to
tell something of what l saw and
heard at these meetings which. would
be of interest and, | hope, of benefit,
to some of your readers.
Upon entering the Horticultural
Hall one was at once attracted by the
large and fine display of peas and APP
pies, great big beauties, as perfect as
any picture, the leading varities be-
ing York Imperial, Ben Davis, Gano.
Stark, etc. At once the inquiry in
ones mind was, How can such SPLEEN
did fruit be raised? This was fully
answered during the course of the
meeting by uniting the remarks of
the several speakers.
Taking up the subject of apple Gull
ture, one must first consider where
the market is to be and when that is
settled what variety or what kinds of
apples will best suit that market and
at what season will they bring the
highest prices. Do not select too
many kinds; that is great mistake
In making the choice see to it that
the trees are well rooted and of the
best quality. Such trees will begin
to bear three years after setting out
have Ben Davis in my own orchard
which have done it.
Prof. Patterson, in his remarks upon
setting out young trees, summed the
whole matter in one short sentence:
MAKE the trees COMFORTABLE
Just stop and consider what that one
word comfort embraces. We are
too apt to consider trees as without
life. For young animal in which
we wish to secure rapid and continu-
GUS growth there is provided a COM
Portable bed, good space, air, light
and food. We see that no other ami
NAL, or animals, steal that food. We
do not stop with one feed, but to OBJ
tain success continue care and atten-
ton. Apply this to the young or
chard and IT will respond like the
young animal. Do not set the I'M
trimmed roots into a hole as though
you were settling post and then
leave the tree to itself and expect
good results. The soil should be
good and well cultivated. Cultiva-
ton helps to retain moisture, which
is needed by fruit as well as any other
crops, and removes vegetation which
, if left will rob the trees The pillow
and disc harrow are both used, while
manure, some lime and potash salts
furnish food.
In New York State the custom of
sowing wheat is termed cover crops"
prevails. Of these crimson clover is
the most common. During the early
part of the season the orchard is cul-
tivated like corn field, but at about
the time the young wood has gotten
its growth and the fruit buds for an
other year are formed, clover or some
such crop is sown. This is we'll grown
before winter and when plowed I'M
der early in the spring furnishes plant
food and moisture for the soil.
AS for the care of the orchard above
ground, the first enemy which we
have to fight is the borer, which en-
ters the tree close to the surface of
the ground and as they grow bore
their way into and up the inner bark.
Their path is shown by the little trail
OF chip dust left behind. The worms
should be cut out with knife.
Branches should be trimmed so as to
allow light and air to all parts of the
tree. No interlacing branches or
suckers should be allowed. Spraying
is OF great Importance. With us, if
done but once, it should be Just as
the blossoms fall and before the calyx
closes. The Queen spray pump (for
barreD can be obtained for S.. The
solution is made by dissolving 4
pounds sulphate of copper in s5 gal
Ions of water, 5 pounds of fresh lime
in % gallons water; then mix the two
thoroughly and stir in a ounces of
Paris green. Spray the trees with a
fine mist until the blossoms and leaves
are thoroughly wet.
| When an orchard has had good
care it has been proved profitable to
thin the apples upon the trees, TAX
ing off from one-third to one-half.
This not only improves the size and
quality of those left but is a strong
foctor in securing an annual crop.
Remember that the fruit buds for
crop of 1908 have already formed and
that an excessive drain upon the
strength of the tree one year robs it
for the next. With the constantly
increasing markets and demands for
all classes of fruit the best profit is