Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1916-01-21
COUNTY AGENT VISITS THE
p. L. HANCOCK FARM.
Mr.. Whiteford Reports Upon Excel
lenee of Orchards In This Tract
In The Third District.

Some time ago the county agent was
invited by Mr. Frank l. Hancock to
visit his form near Solley, and during
the past week the trip was made.
Mr.. whiteford says il was pleasure
TO meet MIR Hancock and his brothers
and discuss problems that confront
the trucker and fruit grower. On their
farm was found a large peach orchard,
the trees planted wideer apart than is
generally done by orchardists. averag-
ing 20 to % feet, which, in a perma-
nent orchard, sees none too far apart
on lands of good quality.
These trees have been headed slight
~ higher than is recommended by
many. but the reason for this is TO per-
init cultivation. and with inexperienc-
ed help. such as many farmers find it
necessary to hire. the practice is not
TO be condemned, but rather admired.
Each year these peach orchards are
sown 10 cow peas in rows, and these
peas kept cultivated and clean.
When Mr.. Whiteford was asked con-
corning the use of complete fertilizer
for orchards, he said: do not use a
complete fertilizer for the following
reasons: The nitrogen is being sup
piled by the Legnmes. Potash is too
expensive to use. if it is possible to
get it at all So the only thing that is
advisable TO use is an application of
Acid Phosphate. Some little Terapin
Scvale was found and the oil spray rec
commended. No San Jose Scale was
found, and when one is told that a few
years ago one part of this orchard was
very badly infested. it shows that San
Jose Scale can be controlled-'if you
go after il"
The farm buildings on this farm are
nicely arranged Each horse has a
stall to himself, and one man feeds all
the stock, and is responsible for it,
which is a practice to be commended
Tools are nicely housed and cared for
Rat-proof courthouse, well filled with
90-day Red Cob White Corn, with seed
already picked for this year. The
wagon shed is peculiarly arranged, as
it fronts north. The reason for this
being to protect all wagons from the
sun as much as possible.
This wagon shed is built of metal.
and is practically fireproof 200
fot well supplies the farm with water,
with gasoline power. Soil samples
were taken for acid test, which will be
reported later. Limited space will not
permit much being said concerning the
apple orchard, except that it seems
clean and in a good growing condition
with very little Blight.
While in this district, the home of
DR. c. r. Winterson was visited by Mr..
Whiteford and here was found some
5000 apple and pear trees, one apple
orchard, consisting of Yellow Trans
parent was badly blighted and had
some scale. Dr. Winterson was advis-
ed that these blighted limbs be cut
back severely, and sponged with Lime
Sulphur for scale.
The old producing orchard is begin
ming to slow down, and it was recon-
mended that this orchard be MANFRED,
and some Acid Phosphate be supplied,
and sown to Crimson Glover late this
summer These trees, like many 9TH
ers in the county, need feeding in order
top reduce good. marketable fruit
The pears on this farm were found
very free from blight, and most of the
yong apple trees in a thrifty growing
condition. Soil tests were taken and
advice will be given as the bets method
to prsue in order to secure Alfalfa af
ter the soil has been tested for acidity.