Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1908-10-09

Inc StldWDeIIleS lndI are
giving US the best results at the pres
ent time are the Hood River. and the
Maggoon. These are not as early as
some varieties, yet they seem to be
our best money makers. 1t is prob
able that the choice of the best fruit
for your selection would lie between
grapes and peaches. In some of the
records we have secured during the
last year, peaches have led quite de-
cidedly, but whether they would do it
as rule, | am uncertain. But the
growing of grapes in your region
would certainly be profitable. We
recommend the following varieties:
Muscat, Alexander, Flame Tokay,
Black Hamburg, Thompson Seed
less. Sweetwater. Any of these will
do we'll for you. American varieties
Concords, Delewares Wardens, Pock-
lingtons, and Niagras.
About Fruit Trees
Query What is the best time of
year for setting out trees? How large
should the trees be when sent from the
nursery? Should they be" low-headed"
or "high- headed"? What will be the
most satisfactory distance apart to
plant the tree? How should fertilizers
be applied for best results? Is it a
good plan to grow garden crops be-
tween the rows until the trees begin
to bear?
Ans-We prefer to plant one-Year-
old tree, rather than a two or three
year-old, in order to secure a low
headed, we'll shaped tree. The average
nurseryman prefers to send high
headed tree, which looks better, and
pleases the inexperienced grower; but
in our work we desire to head them
low, and keep the tops down. If the
trees are to be cultivated by hired
help, or persons that are disinterested.
it might be best to plant two-year-
old tree, since it will be larger, and
more easily seen. 1t is likely that
the best and most satisfactory dist
ance for your planting will be thirty
two feet apart each way, or in alter
nate rows thirty 1.-TWO feet apart, which
would give better equalization of the
soil. In western Washington, and
regions of similar climatic conditions,
the great difficulty encountered by
the orchardist is that his trees pro-
duce too much leaf surface, and
branches. In your section, where
these conditions are likely to apply to
a greater or less extent, after the
trees begin to bear, you may success
fully use various concentrated fertil-
izers, such as potash, and phosphoric
acid. By all means, keep the orchard
under perfect cultivation for the first
five or six years. After this time, on
most of the soil in western Washing
ton, at least, you may successfully use
grass mulch, which consists of grow
ing some good grass crop in the orch
ard and as it natures, NOW it, allow
ing the cut grass to remain on the
ground or, spread it under the trees,
but under no circumstances should 1t
be taken out as feed for stock, or 9TH
er purposes.
You may successfully grow dwarf
varieties between the trees for several
years, although even planting at this
distance, I do not think it would be
advisable. Did expect to grow dwarf
varieties between my trees, | should
plant them farther apart, say, about
thirty-six feet. That would give you
almost as much room as you have for
standards. 1t is safe and advisable
plan to grow other crops among your
apple trees, until they begin to bear.
The potato is a splendid crop for this
purpose, provided it is not planted too
close to the roots of the tree. These
require good culture, which of course
is what the orchard needs. In some
parts of western Washington, not far
from where you are, by planning the
planting of your orchard, you could
grow with success and profit. some OF
the varieties of pears and cherries
especially the latter. This year, in
studying the horticultural problems OF
that region, found several large
cherry trees that had netted the owner
fifty dollars each.
Better Stay With Temperate Zone Fruits
Query-Do you know of any region
in the Pacific Northwest that Will sue
cessfuIly grow semi-tropical fruits?
Ans.-A few experiments IN THIS
line have been made, along the basin
of the Columbia river, | believe but
the results leave US in doubt about
such fruits as the citrange, hg. lem
on, olive, pecan, and similar varle =,
ties. Even a very light frost Will
cause severe injuries to these fruits
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