The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12

admits plenty of sunlight without which much of the fruit will be small in size, lacking in color and poor in quality An authority on this subject has tersely summed up the matter as follows: Lack of pruning Is frequently responsible for fruit of small size and indifferent quality: for lack of economy of the vigor and resources of the tree which can be di- rected toward fruit production, anu for premature old age and final destruction of the tree"
 IL is obviously impossible to give speci- fic directions for pruning This is regu- lated by the kind of tree, its location and other variable factors. So far as condi- tions permit, each tree should be kept symmetrical and well balanced, not only because such are more pleasing to the eye but because they have the maximum bearing surface so distributed as to re- ceive the required sunlight.
 Fruit trees of all kinds are subject to the attack of insect enemies and diseases Of various kinds. When grown in poul- try yards they seem to suffer less than in other locations. This may be due to the fact that they are usually in vigorous condition, and therefore able to resist disease and the fowls are maintaining constant warfare against the insects. However, it is not safe to depend en- ifely upon these favorable conditions
 
 first-cass fruit is to spray the trees with those insecticides and fungfcides which are known to be effective. The spray mixtures and seasons vary in different lo,alities, so the amateur will do well to be guided by successful fruit growers in his vicinity. Most seed and poultry supp ply stores carry spray mixtures in stock, and can supply full directions for apply ing them.
 If piece of land can be conveniently fenced in for the exclusive use of small chicks, this may well be set out in straw berries. The chicks. even when quite young. will pick and spoil some of the ripening fruit; but their presence in the patch goes far toward .nsuring good crop of berries. They spend their time searching among the plants for insect life, and the good they accomplish in this way more than offsets the damage they do thes berries.
 The value of chicks as insect destroy CTS in the patch is being recognized by commercial growers of strawberries in sections where this crop is an important enc. A gentleman who annually grows many acres of these berries in southern Delaware recently told the writer that he has become convinced that the best way to fight the troublesome strawberry weevil is to locate small focks of chicks in various parts of the field and let them
  pairing to hatch several hundred chicks for this purpose.
 A Strawberry Pest This weevil seems to be immune to the effects of the poisons which so suc- oessfully control practically all other in- sect pests. and 1t has done untold dam age during the last few years. It att tacks the plants just before the blossoms appear. causing many of the latter to crop off. In many cases the damage is so great as to eliminate all chance of profit Some large growers have been compelled to drop certain favorite, vari- cites of strawberries and substitute there- for others which are less desirable, but which are free fiowering. If the weevil destroys B per cent of the buds of tho
 latter. there are enough left to set & fair crop of fruit.
 During the last season or two number of strawberry growers have experimented with the "chick cure'' for the weevil, and excellent results were secured. One ex- tensive operator stated that these indus trious little workers actually earned sev- eral dollars per head, passing this estima te upon a comparison of the, value of the herries picked on fields over which the chicks ranged with those which were not so protected.
 This is merely another illustration of how poultry may be used to advantage The idea of making our domestic fowls actually work for the good of the farm Is worthy of further development Ample Shade Necessary The value of ample shade in fowl and chick runs has been emphasized above This is best supplied by trees In many cases trees cannot be used and other pro- visions must be made.
 There are several quick-growing plants which work in to advantage Among