The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1903-10-02

E1 1l
The Michigan Fruit station.
The Michigan experiment station Is
located at Agricultural College, near
Lansing. It has q branch at South
Haven devoted entirely to experiments
with fruit. The cause for the exist.
ence of this branch station are the
peculiar soil along the shores of Lake
Michigan and climatic conditions quite,
unlike other parts of the state. More
over this region is a famous fruit pro.
ducing region, and experiments made
at Lansing would not be likely to ap.
ply fully to the so-called fruit-belt.
A representative of the Farmers Re.
view last week visited this fruit sta.
ton and found 1t in a most flourish.
ing condition. The officer in charge lie
Professor T. A. Farrand, who seems to
understand the conditions of his ter.
ritory most fully.
The station is somewhat limited for
space and has at present only if
teen acres of land, all of which is in
use. The first paintings were made
"A years ago. The paucity of area has
compelled the crowding of some of the
trees beyond what we believe to be
advisable. Professor Farrand has
been compelled for this reason to set
his plants and trees nearer together
than he would if he had the room he
needs. It was noticeable that all the
soil was in high state of cultivation,
the marks of the weeder teeth being
everywhere visible between the trees.
All the fruit trees are headed low.
The Professor says this is the onnlls
sensible way of heading trees. The
apple, pear, plum and cherry trees
branched just above the soil and one
would have difficulty in reaching thei1
trunks, because Of the branches. We
did not notice a high-headed. tree on
the place.
Professor .Farrand says that peach
and pear trees should be set at least
20 feet apart, though on their ground
they are but 16 feet apart. AS most
OF these trees are twelve years ole
their branches are already too close
in many instances. The apple and
pear trees are sprayed with Bordeaux
mixture on the formula $3.50, with
four ounces of Paris green added
This is five pounds of lime, five
pounds of copper sulphate and so gal
Ions of water, besides the Paris greer
mentioned. For peaches they spray
before the leaves are open for the
curl leaf, using two pounds of sulphate
and 80 gallons of water. After the
fruit Is set they spray with half
strength Bordeaux mixture, or on the
formula $500, using no Paris green
However, Paris green could be used
IT desired. Peaches are thinned tc
and inches apart. This is more
severe thinning than is followed in
many of our orchards, where the
breadth of the hand is used as the
rule for space between peaches.
The Professor recommends the
Longhurst peach as very good one
The tree is hardy and very productive
but is not ass handsome as the AL
berta. 1t is most excellent for can
ming. However the growers OF
peaches near South Haven are goine
largely into Albertas. Kalamazoos and
Engle Mammoths are most excellent
| varieties and are doing we'll on the
station grounds. It is noted that the
early peaches are inferior in quality.
1t is the belief Of the director that
apple trees should be set not less than
35 feet apart. AS to the varieties do
ing the best on their grounds he men
tons Jonathan, Grimes Golden, Stark
and Yellow Transparent. Ben Davis
does not do well here, as it can no,
be grown to perfection. :, Apples OF
this variety do not color up so well
in this, part of Michigan as they dc
in southern Illinois: and localities or
the same parallel. Duchess of Olden
berg is doing well. Wagner is doing
well, and nothing is better thar
Wealthy. The Greening is hardy but
it is late in coming into bearing. Col
den russets bear better than Roxbury
russets, but the day Of both of then
has gone by, says the director. Tie
tovka, a Russian. bears heavily, bul
is a poor grower.
Among the pears seckel was doing
remarkably well. The trees were
heavy with fruit and the size was
very much better than is usual with
this variety. In fact. one seeing then:
on the market would hardly believe
them to be Seckels. So much for
good care and culture. The Bartletts
are proving the best on the ground
The Keiffer has come to stay. Ouch
ess is good late pear. Flemis,:
Beauty is regarded of little or nc
value for general cultivation, as ii
scabs badly, and the ordinary grower
will not spray it. When thorough,
sprayed It is all right. as it is .
heavy bearer.