Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-08-11
Outlook for Apples.

In view of the comparatively light
crop Of apples that were grown last
year in the middle west, the new year
had hardly dawned before the orchard
lists In the states bordering on the
Mississippi river commenced examining
their apple trees. The prospects ap-
Iparently were all that could be desired,
and great encouragement was given
/ to the apple growers, Following this
close examination through February.
March and April, the outlook for the
present season expanded In the most
gratifying proportions SO that on the
FIRST days Of May II was generally an.
nounced that the prospects for n great
harvest Of apples had never been more
assuring, The outlook for even the
record-brealng year Of 1896 was not
excepted. The cold and protracted
wintry weather prevented early set
ting Of buds, giving reasonable assur.
ance that when they did appear late In
May, they were beyond the attacks of
frost. says James Handy. secretary OF
the Mississippi apple growers assocla.
ton, in the Country Gentleman.
Within the last three or four weeks,
however the prospects for the apple
crop have very materially changed
The bloom set during a succession OF
cold, rainy days, thus preventing pro-
per pollInatIon. The help from this
fertilization cannot be oyer.estimated,
and when II In any measure falls the
results are quickly apparent. Another
reason for the shortage Of the crop
is the lack Of vitality in the bloom. An
experienced orchardist has wisely said
that he generally regretted TO see an
orchard too heavily ladened with bios.
SONS. II certainly means that there
will be a great falling OF such flowers.
This lack Of vitality, as rule, can be
generally charged to the apple grower.
II gives plain evidence that the tree
must be nourished, fed and taken care
Of in order to have the required vital
force. The practical orchardist knows,
or should know, that there must be GER
tain elements placed in the soil for
such purposes and II the soil Is lack
ing In these, a supply should be given.
And it will seem 10 the casual observer
that such remedy should be evenly pro-
yIded. 1t is very easy 10 analyze the
soil and find out where IL is lacking.
Another test may be given in burning
such fruit as the tree may bear and
examining the ash Whatever the tree
has lacked in nourishment will be
found in the absence OF such elements
in the ash II IL greatly 10 be regret
ted that there should be an unneces.
sary loss of apples from year TO year,
which affects business in commercial
circles and lessons the supplies Of
wholeso ONE food to families
Last ear, II will be remembered,
there was heavy freeze In the early
part Of May, but Nature came TO the
rescue by sending a succession OF
cold rains which drew the frost from
the little apples. And In such In.
stances whore tree was full Of life
and yigor the results were satisfac
tory; where the trees have been neg
lected. blight. bitter rot and all sorts
II fungous diseases followed. Some Of
the same results will surely be seen
this year where there has been lack
OF vitality In bud and bloom.
Another reason for the shortage Ii
some orchards for the present year Ii
owing TO the fact that last year such