The independent., 1907-04-18
Are the HIossons Killed.

This question comes up again for
answer since the freeze Of week ago,
When the cold was sharp enough to
form ice in our water troughs from
one-fourth to One-half an inch thick.
Brother Bixby of The Journal has
given this question prominence in his
department, and one would judge from
the tone of his lament that there was
but little to hope for in the way of
fruit this season.
Others naturally share in this gloomy
foreboding. From observations made by
the writer and from reports from ether
growers, we believe that the late
freeze did very little damage to the
fruit buds in this section. Apricots are
among the easiest Of our blossoms to
open and are consequently very liable
to being caught by late frOstS.
We noticed, however, that trees
which were in full bloom last week
have their germ centers still bright
and apparently unharmed
Our plum trees are also opening up
their bloom bright and clear. Peaches
and cherries, also, seem to have passed
through this freeze unharmed, there
may be some varieties that are over
sensitive to cold that will drop their
fruit before setting There are also
leys or draws where the freeze was
hard enough to injure bloom. There is
more to fear, at present from long con-
tinued cold rains during the blooming
period. Such rains chill the fruit germs
and prevent the proper development
of the pollen and its subsequent work
in fertiliZing the pistils.
Sunshine is very potent factor in
securing good pollenation of the fruit
blossoms. We need the rains to water
Sur gardens and nourish the fruit trees
but we should pray for warm showers
with sunshine alternating for the good
of our fruit blossoms.
There's many slip 'twfxt the cup
and the lip is very true as applied to
the chances between the calx and the
mature fruit Nature is very provident,
however, with her bloom. If one-fourth
of the blossoms that open on the ma jor
portion of our fruit trees were permit
ted to develop into perfect fruit there
would be a breaking down of the trees
and an over supply of fruit on our
markets. One-tenth of the blossoms is
perhaps about the average number that
attain full development.
The Busy season.
InlS Is the llne Ol year WIOH the
fruit grower and gardener has to
hustle to keep up with the season.
Planting time Is the most important
season Of the year 1t is the beginning
really Of our harvest for without SOW
ing one can not reap. 1t behooves the
horticulturist then to be 'up and doing
at this season, and not only to be dill
gent but to be thorough with his work.
The preparation OF the soil for the
seed should be carefully and well done,
III one would reap the best results from
his seasons work.
Fruit for the Home.
The above is the topic of an address
given before the summer meeting OF
the Nebraska state horticultural So
ciety by G.. A. Marshall of Arlington.
We give extracts from II as follows.
Returning TO the subject proper. 1
might first take un the strawberries.
We should prepare the ground and
plant the plants very carefully. the
same as we would prepare the ground
for the lettuce or onion bed Then
plant the plants with care like we
would the tomnto or cabbage plant
Plant Just the right depth. not too
shallow or too deep. Either Is dogtruc.
tive Give thorough cultivation. mulch
! Ia tho fall very little. Do not put on