Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-06-25

free movement or soil moisture, is de-
sirable.
Good nursery stock of suitable kinds
and varieties Is fundamental to sue
cess in fruit growing. While many of
the long established nurseries sell
their stock largely through agents
whose integrity is unquestioned many
other nurseries have no travelling
agents but sell direct to purchasers.
1t is better, as a rule, for grower to
deal directly with nurseryman rather
than through an agent.
When to Plant Fruit Trees.
In the North and wherever the win
ter conditions are severe on plant life.
either from low temperatures, drying
winds or other causes, fruits are usu-
ally planted in the spring as early as
the soil can be put in suitable condi-
ton. 1t is very important that they be
set out while the plants are perfectly
dormant and before the buds have
started. Many failures result from de-
laying the planting until the buds have
started into growth.
If the prospective planter prepares
the soil where his fruits are to stand
as thoroughly as he should prepare
his garden before planting vegetable
seeds, the subsequent growth of his
fruit trees will amply repay him.
Where the site selected is in sod 1t is
advisable to cultivate it during one
season at least after the sod is plowed
under in order that the grass roots
may decay before the fruits are
planted.
Where the fruit plantation occupies
a garden site usually 1t should receive
about the same tillage that Is given a
vegetable plat. In the popular mind
this represents high standard of ex-
cellence. Frequent tillage to maintain
the surface soil in the condition of
fine dust mulch is preferable in most
cases to any other method of treat
ment. The tillage of fruit trees should
be continued until midsummer in the
North, but 1t may he kept up to good
advantage somewhat later In the
South. Strawberries, as a rule, should
he cultivated until the approach Of
cold weather.
Under most conditions the same
methods of maintaining the fertility of
the soil which are followed in vege-
table garden are successful with fruits.
Where stable manure is available its
liberal use generally gives excellent re-
suits.
The three kinds of insect pests and
fungOus diseases that are found in a
commercial orchard in any region may
be expected to occur In fruit garden
or home orchard located In the same
region. Therefore. In planning a
home-fruit plantation the grower
should inform himself as completely
as is possible In regard TO the methods
of controlling the common insects and
diseases to which the fruits he Is
growing are subject in his locality.
This information may be found in bull
letins issued by state experiment sta
lions, agricultural college extension d.
visions, the United States department
of agriculture and elsewhere.
The bulletin, which discusses these
points at length, also gives attention
to other problems that will confront
the amateur fruit grower, such as sea
sons of planting. handling the stock
from the nursery, planting, cultural
methods, maintaining soil fertility,
pruning and training, irrigation, varie-
ties of fruit for different regions, fruit
varieties, age of bearing and varieties
for different districts.