Milford chronicle., 1908-01-24
Milford Grange.

At the meeting of Milford Grange on
saturday f. c. Bancroft took up the
topic, "Growing Apples for Profit"
speaking of the soil about Milford be
thought it well adapted to apple culture
ANY land that grows sweet potatoes
should raise good apples. They do not
need too much water, and what is called
F'surface" water should be from eight to
ten feet below the top of the ground.
Mr.. Bancroft would not select small trees
but those well grown, two years old
Turn the trees upside down and prune
the roots first Prune inverted, so the
cut side goes down when planted. Never
plant trees with root gall nor hairy root
as neither will make good trees nor bear
well. In pruning try to avoid crotch
as the tree is liable to split at those points.
Head in close, at least one half the growth.
Tip the main stem but do not Lead too
low. Take off all but five side shoots.
In heading in, leave the terminal bud on
the side in the direction you wish it to
grow. The last thing before the tree goes
into the hole dip it in some scale wash
clear to the roots. Do not plant trees too
close, thirty-six feet much better and
fortv feet each way better still
When planted forty feet apart put some
quick growing sort in the diagonal for a
filler. Let it be a good variety even if it
has to come out later. After planting an
orchard keep it well cultivated and plant
COW peas or some len growing crop and
even corn maybe raised. After planting
don't prune too much. Never allow two
branches to cross but trim to prevent this
When necessary, never hesitate to cut off
large limbs but paint the wound with
yellow ochre and lead as otherwise decay
is likely to spread from this point. Spray
every spring for scale. No section is free
from this pest and the man who raises |
apples must spray. Mr. Bancroft thinks
the oil sprays better for apple trees than
the lime and sulphur mixture.
When growing commercial apples the
ferver varieties the better
Of the winter apples Winesap is I'M
doubted the best for this Peninsula. Sew
eral varieties are needed to provide for
the fertilization as the Stayman, though
strong grower, is not self fertile.
The Stapman is an annual hearer and
If sprayed and well cared for crop can
he counted on every year.
The Paragon, York Imperial and Mis-
souri, Pippin, are all good pOlenizers.
Put every third tree in every third row
for polarization. 91r. Sopher makes
speciality of the Ners which does better
ior him than the Stayman.
The city calls for apples to cat and ap-
pies to look at. Roman Beauty is very |
good to eat and handsome to look at. Do
not plant the Ben Davis it lacks quail
ity. Senator is a magnificent fall variety
OF finest quality but comes most to early |
for storage. Grimes Golden is good ap- |
pie. Apples need to go into storage as
fast as they come from the trees and be
so pdCkbu da 10 Do 5Olu ulAeCt IOh OOiA
storage without repacking.
With summer apples, as with winter,
the fewer varieties the better Yellow !
Transparent, Fourth Of Suly, Astrachan,
Williom's Early Red is one Of the finest.
The tree is inclined to be crooked and |
slow growing but with care becomes as
nice a tree as could be wished for.
While more apples are being grown all
the time, the market is broading and
prices increasing.
Besides spraying for scale the trees
must be sprayed with bordeaux mixture
before the buds open, and again soon as
the blossoms fall and before the calyx
closes. In two weeks repeat. This car
-ies the early fruit over, but winter ap-
roles must be sprayed again and if this
does not cover until September first spray |
again to get ahead Of the second crop Of
coddling moths.