The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1922-03-16
ORCHARD MANAGE
MENT, FERTILIZERS
(By Gordon G. Brown

Ii is apparent that the active grow
ing season is fully two weeks late this
spring. This is especially so in the
Middle and Upper Valleys where the
snow is yet at considerable depth. All
orchard operations will therefore nec-
essarily be delayed. The trees are
showing very little activity yet and
the condition of the soil will not per-
NIT operations as far as cultivation is
concerned. The aim of this article is
to offer a few timely suggestions to
the grower so that he may be prepared
when the season permits.
The writer wishes to impress upon
the fruit-grower the Importance Of soil
management. This is broad classifi-
cation which includes many sub-heads.
| First, there is fertilization with com
mercial brands such as nitrate of soda
or sulphate of ammonia; secondly,
there is the question of shade or green
crops; thirdly, the problem of proper
cultivation, and lastly, their influence
on tree growth, the setting of fruit
and its subsequent development. 1t is
urged that the grower not look at the
problem in the light of one practice
alone but rather in the light of their
combined influence.
1t is worth pointing out that tree
passes through several distinct stages
in its life history. While very young,
tree growth is rapid and few fruit
spurs are formed. When the tree is
middle aged less tree growth. is evident
but fruit spur formation is normal. 1t
is at this stage that heavy fruit pro-
duction occurs. A high percentage of
extra fancy fruit also takes place. AS
the tree becomes older it functions |
more slowly. Unless properly handled |
it makes little growth and consequent |
ly few new fruit spurs which must be |
depended upon if production is to be |
maintained. 1t is often the stage at |
which we find trees from Is to 20 years |
old.
What is the result if such trees are
not encouraged to make considerable |
new growth on which large number
Of spurs are formed? Each year
large number of the old spurs are lost
either through mechanical injury or
from excessive shade. This means a
constantly decreasing number of spurs
which also on account of age function
more feebly and less regularly. Alter
nate bearing becomes a fixed habit.
A good crop is borne one year and only
A small one on the following year.
The average tonnage usually is small.
Trees which show high average ton
lage year in and year out are those
which produce fair crop every year.
Growers often congratulate themselves
IN securing an excessive bloom. The
are bright for very heavy
afan inathnnt oil IIu hnuuxy thinnin,, |
osts. The objectionable feature lies
n the almost certainty of small crop
IN the following year.
The orchardist should encourage a
OF of new growth every year. Fertil-
cation with nitrate of soda, the turn
ng under of green crops, adequate cul-
ivation and irrigation are the big fac
ors to be employed in securing this
esult. This is simply a matter of
-ood husbandry. If this is your "off"
ear, try to force new growth this
ear. If as little as five per cent of
he old spurs could be made to make
lbstantial growth, the writer means
nywhere from one foot to twice this
If the tree is we'll opened up
that light can enter, such new
rowths should form spurs on the fol-
wing year and on the next year (the
Drmal off year, bear fruit. If you
re planning on using nitrate of soda
lis spring. have it on by March 25 at
lie latest in the Lower Valley and by
pril 10 in the Upper Valley. If you
AN on seeding shade crop, take ad-
intage of the early moisture to get a
bod seed bed and by so doing, good
and.