The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1905-11-03
REPORT OF AMERICAN POMOLOG.
lCAL SOCIETY,".

day, Sept. ~ TO y, and was one OF lne
largest gatherings Of pomOlOgistS and
scientists that has ever met in that
convention city. 1t represented the
best talent in scientific and practical
horticulture from all of our best agrl-
cultural colleges, as we'll as those con-
neCted with the experiment stations
and the Departments Of Agriculture at
Washington. In the absence Of PreSl.
dent }. H. Hale Of Connecticut, Capt.
c. l.. WatrOus of Des Moines, Ia, acted
as chairman through the deliberations
Of this body. The first days meeting
was largely taken up with address of
welcome Of the mayor and responses,
together with the presidents address
and the report Of the different officers
and chairmen Of committees. The city
of Kansas City royalty entertained
this notable assembly.
Americana Plum.
On Wednesday, Sept. 90 the pro-
gram proper was taken up, with the
first discussion on the Americana
plum. 1t was opened by Prof. Albert
Dickens of the Kansas Agricultural!
college. He said that We may hope
only through the breeding up of the
type Of plums with a strong marking
Of the native to get varieties that will
stand In many places over the arid
Northwest. The consensus of opinion
was that 1t was the best family Of
plums to plant over the large area of
the Mississippi valley. and north Of
the 40th degree of latitude Prof.
Troupe Of Indiana said that many of
the varieties of the Americana were
perfectly adapted to his state, and
that there was an increased planting
Of some Of the best varieties. Several
who spoke on their value for Colorado
gave as their opinion that this family
of plums, which constitutes such yarie-
ties as the Hawkeye, Stoddard and
Wyant, and the Chickasaw varieties.
Wild Goose and others. were doing
well, and that the increased planting
Of these hardy varieties during the
last few years was marvellous. Prof.
Little Of the Iowa Agricultural college
believed that from the best improved
varieties any one who planted and
gave proper care would be abundantly
blessed with good crops and fruit, and
that from these selected varieties we
may hope to develop breed Of varie-
ties Of high excellence, both as to
longevity of tree and hardness OF bud
and high quality of fruit.
Pruning.
Following this discussion was that
of pruning Of the different fruit trees
and the peculiarities of climate on
pruning. There were many different
opinions expressed, but the weight OF
the evidence was that pruning was
one Of those operations that should be
practiced early in the life of the tree.
It's outline and contour should be
formed with the first pruning of the
top, as in the apple at two years old;
open tops, so as to give circulation of
air, and the letting in of sunshine was
considered absolutely necessary to
high-grade fruit. BY this method
greater bearing surface of tree could
be secured, so that instead of the tree
rin
nal branches, would set fruit through
the tree. Thus the trees could more
easily bear up under the heavy crop
of fruit and not break, as the weight
is more evenly distributed.
Perfect Apple.
On Wednesday the report Of the
committee on grading the exhibiting
fruit was taken up, but the committee
asked for further time for making
their report. Mr. Williamson of Hi
nois, chairman of this committee, was
asked while on the floor to give def
milton Of perfect apple" or one first.
class, to grade No. / on the markets.
Normal in shape, normal in color;
free from worms, with no break in
the skin. Must be han d picked and
free from fungus; must range in size
from IA to 2k inches in diameter at
its widest part to be in the No.
grade"
Orchard Management.
The subject of cover crops came in
for much discussion. The most sue
cessful fruit growers advocated some
kind of a cover crop. In Missouri it
was cow peas, vetCh, clover or any
plant that would completely cover the
ground, giving uniform moisture and
keeping the soil from drying out. Many
argued that the developing and matur-
ing Of the crop of fruit was such a
heavy drain on the water supply that
If not protected, and the evaporation
lessened by a cover crop, your fruit
would necessarily be smaller. Mr.. ].
A. Burton Of Indiana said that crab
grass in his large orchards made a
perfect covering; was. easily moved
down and retained moisture and gave
the soil the proper conditions. He be.
| lieyed that orchards should be cult.