Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1920-01-04

and pack Markets have been supplied
with fruit Of high quality and the de-
mand has been strong. All these fac
tors are responsible for q renewed IN
terest in the industry.
PRODUCTION PROBLEMS
Fruit growing naturally divides it,
self into two distinct divisions: pro-
duction and distribution.
Fruit growers have found that the
task of growing fruit is a sufficient
undertaking on the part of any indi-
vidual, and the job of marketing Is
left to other individuals especially
trained and equipped for that phase
of the work. The fruit growers Of Ida
time in soil fertility and orchard man
agement, pruning and spraying.
NITROGEN NEEDED
Many orchards in Idaho are badly
In need of necessary plant foods OF
which nitrogen Is the most deficient.
The lack Of decomposed organic mat
ter or humus is especially noticeable.
Under these conditions soils get into
a very bad mechanical condition which
F. ing it's full duty. This brings on a line
of trouble in the orchard not usually
known or suspected by the average
grower. A lack in the soil Of suffic-
lent moisture, the lack of sufficient
plant food at the right time, all show
their effect upon the trees and crop.
In some orchards the land has not been
were planted and represents the worst
condition In this respect.
EFFECTS WRONG METHODS
| Where orchards have been continual
ly in cultivation with no attention
paid to renewing the fertility by green
manure such as leguminous crops.
stable manure, or commercial fertilizer
such orchards are indicating the lack
of this attention by short annual wood
growth, light green foliage, weakened
fruit buds and tendency to producing
a crop every other year. Such orchards
are also unable to Withstand the effect
OF a late spring frost or severe low
| winter temperature to the best adyan-
tage. A careful study of the soil and
soil fertility problem by every orchard
list will we'll repay him for his endeav-
cover crop, and fertilizer must be work.
ed out and practiced by every orchard
list sooner or later.
PRUNING
Many orchards in the state are badly
In need of good pruning. This Is q
phase of the industry upon which def
Unite rules and plans cannot be prac-
tised by all growers as each individual
tree and orchard presents its own in
dividual problems. Generally speak
ing, this art of fruit production Is as
little understood as any necessary OPP
peration pertaining to commercial hor-
ticulture.
The essential objects to be sought In
pruning are the growth OF strong,
healthy tree Of the desired form and
height for the most economical pro-
duction Of fruit. Such a tree Is cap
able of carrying the miximum crop Of
fruit with the maximum color require
ments and carrying this load as close
| to the ground as practical. Such a tree
il most efficiently handled for prun-
ing, spraying and harvesting. The sue
cessful fruit grower Ia now studying
and practicing judicious pruning more
/ than ever before.
WHEN TO PRuNE
The pruning should be begun in time
to Nhave 1t well finished before any
spraying Is given. In large projects II
II necessary to start pruning in late
fall and continue at all times when the
wood IL not frozen. in order to finish
before the first spray is applied. The
first step to successful spraying Is
Rood pruning. The majority OF Idaho
fruit growers can cut down the cost
of fruit production and aid much in
the efficiency Of insect pest and dis
/ ease control by pruning and this II
a condition OF our orchards that should
4 receive the most careful attention and
action.
PEST CONTROL
More efficient spraying must be given
! In order to reduce the size OF the Gull
| pile. This applies particularly to the
rnvages Of the Sap Jose scale. cooling
moth. peach twig borer red spider,