The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1903-10-07
The Michigan Fruit Station.

l. ihe michigan experiment station Is
located at Agricultural College, near
Lansing. It has 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 famous fruit pro.
ducing region, and experiments made
at Lansing would not be likely to ap-
ply fully to the so-called fruit-belt
representative of the Farmers Re.
view last week visited this fruit sta.
ton and found It in most flourish.
ing condition. The officer in charge is
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 fif-
teen acres Of land, all of which is in
use. The first paintings were made
IA 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 II he had the room he
needs. 1t 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 only
sensible way OF heading trees. The
apple, pear, plum and cherry trees
branched just above the soil and one
would have difficulty in reaching their
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
ZO rect apart, though on their ground
they are but 16 feet apart. AS most
OF these trees are twelve years old
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
Tour 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 green
mentioned. For peaches they spray
before the leaves are open for the
curl leaf, using two pounds of sulphate
and 30 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
IL desired. Peaches are thinned to
6 and 8 inches apart This is a 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 a very good one.
The tree Is hardy and very productive.
out Is not as handsome as the Al
berta. 1t is most excellent for can
ming. However the growers OF
peaches near South Haven are going
largely into Albertas. Kalamazoos and |
Engle Mammoths are most excellent |
varieties and are doing well on the |
station grounds. It is noted that the |
early peaches are inferior in quality.
It is the belief of the director that
apple trees should be set not less than
30 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 we'll here, as 1t can not
be grown to perfection. Apples OF
This variety do not color up 80 well
In this part Of Michigan as they do
In southern Illinois and localities on
The same parallel. Duchess Of Olden.
berg is doing well. Wagner is doing
we'll. and nothing is better than
Wealthy. The Greening is hardy but
t is late In coming into bearing. Col.
len russets bear better than Roxbury
-ussets. but the day of both of them
has gone by, says the director. Te-
-ovka, a Russian, bears heavily, but
s poor grower.
Among the pears Seckel was doing
well. The trees were
heavy with fruit and the size was
'ery much better than is usual with
his variety. In fact. one seeing them
IN the market would hardly believe
hem to be Seckels. So much for
rood care and culture. The Bartletts
re proving the best on the ground.
The Keiffer has come to stay. Ouch
ss is a good late pear. Flemish
Beauty is regarded of little or no
alue for general cultivation, as IL
cabs badly, and the ordinary grower
ill not spray it. When thoroughly
prayed 1t is all right. as 1t is a
eayy bea.er