Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 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 APP
parently were all that could be desired
and great encouragement was given
| to the apple growers. Following this
close examination through February,
1 March and April, the outlook for the
present season expanded in the most
gratifying proportions, so that on the
! first days of May it was generally an
nounced that the prospects for great
4 harvest of apples had never been more
assuring. The outlook for even the
Irecord-breaking year of 1896 was not
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 associa-
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 over-estimated,
and when it in any measure fails 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. 1t certainly means that there
will be great falling of such flowers.
This lack of vitality, as a rule, can be
generally charged to the apple grower.
/ 1t 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 if the soil is lack
ing in these, a supply should be given.
And it will seem to the casual observer
that such remedy should be evenly pro-
vided. 1t is very easy to analyZe the
sell and find out where it 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. 1t is greatly to 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
wholesome food to families.
Last ear. it will be remembered,
there was heavy freeze in the early
part of May. but Nature came to the
rescue by sending q succession of
cold rains which drew the frost from
the little apples And in such in
stances where tree was full Of life
and vigor the results were satisfac-
tory: where the trees have been neg
lected. blight, bitter rot and all sorts
Ecf fungous diseases followed. Some of
the same results win surely be seen
this year where there has been a lack
of vitality in bud and bloom.
/ Another reason for the shortage IS
scme orchards for the present year il
ewing tc the fact that last year such