currant and gooseberry bushes do not yield satisfactory crops from year
to year is due to the lack of proper pruning.
Both currants and gooseberries produce their fruit on canes that are at
least two years old, the first season being generally utilized for the
growing of the canes, the second for the formation of fruit buds or
spurs, and the third a full crop may be expected. These canes will bear
for two and even three years, but each year after the third they begin
to show a decided decline--the fruit becomes smaller and less valuable.
In order to keep the production up to the standard, the bush should be
placed on the rotation basis, that is, each year a few new, strong
shoots should be permitted to grow. All the rest should be cut out, and
also each spring a like number of the oldest canes should be removed. In
other words, we should grow the same number of new canes that we take
out in old canes. In this way, we eliminate the old and exhausted canes
and keep the bushes in strong, vigorous growth. Further, as the season
progresses, all shoots beyond those that we wish to use for fruiting
later on should be removed and not permitted to utilize the food supply
that should go to the fruiting canes.--E.P. Sandsten, Col. Agri.
College.
Support for an Overloaded Fruit Tree.
MISS NELLIE B. PENDERGAST, DULUTH.
Some years ago the writer wearied of the many objectionable features
connected with propping overloaded apple trees, and found relief in a
new application of the maxim of modern charity--"help people to help
themselves."
The average apple tree is quite capable of supporting its load of fruit,
with a little assistance in applying its strength. This is
satisfactorily given by overhead supports. My method is as follows:
Take a piece of gas pipe, the diameter depending on the size of the tree
and consequent weight of the load, and long enough to extend some two or
three feet above the tree. The required height would be governed by the
spread of the branches and the distance between the trunk of the tree
and the proper point for support of the limbs.
The pipe is placed against the trunk of the tree, pushed a few inches
into the ground, and tied in several places tightly to the tree. On the
top (which must be screw-threaded) is screwed an ordinary gas pipe end.
Heavy cords are then run through holes in the top piece and tied to the
branches wherever needed--the same cord often being made to tie several
branches which are in line perpendicularly.
[Illustration: View of apple tree with fruit laden branches supported by
pipe or wire.]
The branches should be wrapped with a bit of burlap or other suitable
padding under the cord, as otherwise the friction resulting from the
inevitable swaying of the heavy limbs on windy days would result in
rubbing the bark off and possibly entirely girdling the branch. Pads
should also be placed between the gas pipe and the tree trunk wherever
there is contact, and under the rope where tied.
What Frisky is Telling the Veteran Horticulturist.
CHAS. F. GARDNER, OSAGE, IOWA.
I am your cunning little squirrel, and as you have named me Frisky and
have adopted me as a regular member of your family, I will tell you some
little things I know about horticulture, or more properly, forest tree
planting.
[Illustration: Our squirrel.]
My ancestors from way back through geological ages have all been lovers
of nut trees and especially conifers. If you knew of the great districts
covered with valuable timber that have come into existence by reason of
our planting of nuts and conifer seed, you would be very much surprised.
While we gather large quantities of seed for use as food during the
long, cold winter months, each one of us secretes several thousand seed
annually, widely scattered, in good places for trees to grow. The most
of these scattered seeds remain in the ground and germinate where they
were planted.
My grandfather on my mother's side has told me that some of his
relatives in Scotland were once accused of doing considerable injury to
plantations of firs and pines by gnawing off the top shoots, which you
know make pretty good eating for a hungry little squirrel. Wasn't that a
great thing to make a fuss about? I believe my grandpa knew as much as
you do about the real existence and natural history of the mastodon,
the megatherium, the paleotherium and the pterodactyl.
In the planting of forest trees we were assisted by birds. I will name a
few who helped us the most in this northern latitude, or, as you call
it, "the blizzard belt." You showed me the other day two beautiful oak
trees, on your grounds that were planted by crows. Bluejays are great
seed planters, also mourning doves; and the wild pigeons, now extinct,
were great planters of many nut trees. Almost every variety of birds has
assisted us in the planting of the seeds of trees, bushes and, in fact,
all plants that bear valuable fruits or nutritious seeds.
[Illustration: Chas. F. Gardner at his best.]
While I think of it, I will tell you that I was born in a beautiful
nest, made of moss, twigs and dry leaves curiously interwoven in the
fork of a tree at a considerable height from the ground. I had four
little brothers and sisters. We loved each other dearly and had a good
time all cuddled up in our sweet little home. I wish you would let me go
and visit them sometime this summer. Now if you have no objection I will
take a little nap.--Frisky.
Top-Working.
O. W. MOORE, VETERAN HORTICULTURIST, SPRING VALLEY.
From my experience in fruit growing I have come to the conclusion that
the best method to apply in starting a commercial orchard in this
section of country would be to gather apple seed from Duchess and
Hibernal apples and plant them, in order that we might grow hardy
seedling roots to be used in making root-grafts. After growing these
apple seedlings one year I would graft short pieces of their roots to
long Hibernal scions, plant them out in the nursery row and grow them
the first year as a whip or single shoot. The second year before growth
starts in the spring I would cut those whips back to the height where I
wanted to start the head of the tree. After growth starts rub off all
the buds except from four to six at the top, these being left to form
the head of the tree. The trunk of the tree below these buds should be
kept clear of all growth at all times.
By this method we get uniform trees, as the heads, or tops, are all of
an equal distance from the ground and all run very nearly the same size.
Now we have those trees two years old in the nursery row, and as a
foundation for hardiness we have done our best. We have taken seed from
our hardiest apples to grow our seedling roots; we have grafted Hibernal
scions onto those roots, which is supposed to be the hardiest apple wood
that we have. Still there is one point that has not been touched upon,
and that is, that it is not to be supposed that all of those seedling
roots from the seed of our hardiest apples will be hardy. You may ask
why? Well, because mother nature does not do business that way. We hear
now and then the remark, "He is a good mixer." Well, if any man or set
of men can beat mother nature at mixing they will have to do better in
the future than they have done in the past.
But remember that we have the Hibernal as a scion above those roots, and
that is the best apple wood to root from the scion that I know of. Some
may ask, why not use the Virginia crab? I answer, for the reasons above
stated, as I have tried both.
Our trees are two years old now and are ready to be planted in the
orchard where they are to remain. Grow them in orchards one year. But if
from drouth or some other cause they do not make a satisfactory growth,
grow them two years. Then top-work their four or six limbs about six
inches from their forks to any kind of apple that you wish to produce in
a commercial way--but leave all small growth below those unions the
first year. The second year cut everything away but the scions.
If the planter will follow the above methods I am willing to stake my
reputation as a fruit grower that he will have an orchard that will stay
with him and give satisfaction.
Very many apple trees, especially seedlings, when they come to bearing
age are found to be worthless or nearly so. If those trees are taken in
hand at any time under ten years old they can be readily top-worked to
some good apple and completely changed in two years' time. The first
year work center limbs or leaders, leaving the lower growth to be worked
the second year. The third year by cutting everything away but the
growth of the scions we have the tree changed over to a better variety
of fruit. As to the size of limbs to graft I have always made it a point
to never work limbs over one inch in diameter. But from one inch down to
whip-grafting size, limbs from three-quarters to one inch, we set two
scions. The wound heals sooner with two scions than with one. If there
is too much growth in a year or two, cut a part of it away just above
the union.
Evergreens.
JENS A. JENSEN, ROSE CREEK.
Why not grow evergreens in the place of willows? When I came to Mower
County if there were any trees planted they were willows, a few Lombardy
poplars and Balm of Gilead.
Since 1890 there has been a great deal of planting of evergreens,
especially around Austin and Rose Creek.
Some people think it hard to grow evergreens. One mistake they make is
in planting too large trees. Another is in planting them in June grass
sod, a sod that will not wet down one inch in a rain that lasts
twenty-four hours.
Evergreens should be planted in cultivated land, and then they will grow
surprisingly fast. Plant trees from one to two feet. If wanted for a
windbreak, plant eight feet apart; if two rows are wanted, plant trees
sixteen feet apart, in rows four feet apart, the trees planted
alternately. Norway, White and Black Hills spruce, also White, Scotch
and Jack pine are doing well here.
IN MEMORIAM--EZRA F. PABODY
EZRA F. PABODY was born in Vernon, Indiana, July 26th, 1838. His
father's name was Ezra F. Pabody, and his mother's maiden name was Mabel
Butler. Comrade Pabody was married in Oxford, Ohio, October 10th, 1866,
to Emma A. Brown.
[Illustration: Portrait of the late Ezra F. Pabody, from a photograph
taken ten years ago.]
His education was acquired by attending, first, the common schools at
Vernon, Indiana, until he was sixteen years of age; and in September,
1854, he entered Hanover College, where he spent five years. In 1859, he
entered Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and graduated from that
University in June, 1860. In September of that same year he entered
Princeton Theological Seminary, where he studied for one year with a
view to entering the ministry, but the condition of his health
interfered with his carrying out this purpose.
In 1861, having come to Minnesota, and as volunteers were being enlisted
to crush the rebellion, which threatened our country with destruction,
his spirit of patriotism impelled him to offer his services to aid in
maintaining the government. Accordingly he enlisted at Fort Snelling,
September 25th, 1861, and was enrolled in Company "A," Third Minnesota
Volunteers. In November of that year he was appointed Hospital Steward
of the Regiment, but he was unable long to endure the activities of the
service, and on July 9th, 1862, was discharged on account of
disability. However, his loyal spirit would not allow him to rest if
there was a place where he might serve effectively, and accordingly, on
August 24th, 1862, he enlisted again,--this time in the 79th Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to duty as Hospital Steward, in
which office he continued until discharged for disability December 18th,
1862.
After his army service, he engaged in the drug business at Vernon,
Indiana. In 1875 he removed to Minneapolis and here followed the same
line of business until 1888.
In August, 1890, he was prevailed upon to take up City Mission work in
connection with Westminster Church, and was ordained to the Gospel
ministry in 1900.
Retiring from the active work of the ministry in 1903, he passed the
remaining years of his life in his quiet home at Zumbra Heights, Lake
Minnetonka, where the death angel found him September 21st, 1915, after
a long period of illness.
His memory will be lastingly perpetuated by the development of his city
mission work, known as "Riverside Mission," a neglected portion of
Minneapolis, embracing what is known as "The River Flats," where the
inhabitants, mostly foreigners, and in need of religious instruction,
were taught by this faithful missionary and his estimable and
consecrated wife to speak and sing the language of Heaven.
The faithful wife and co-laborer, one son, E. Fitch Pabody, and one
daughter, Eleanor (Mrs. Ward H. Benton), all of Minneapolis, survive
him.
Mr. Pabody is, of course, best known to the members of this society on
account of his service with it in the past thirteen years. While not one
of the oldest members of the society from a point of years in his
connection with the society, in point of service he ranks very high, for
during all the period of his service he was always finding something to
do for the association. Several times he was on the program, in a number
of official capacities he served the society, and especially as a member
of the reception committee during a number of our annual meetings was he
of largest use to the association, and his courteous and kindly ways we
especially remember. Mr. Pabody was very near to the writer personally,
and his taking away is largely in the nature of a personal loss. Mr.
Pabody had a great love for horticultural pursuits. His garden and
orchard occupied very much of his thoughts during the later years of his
life, when he lived on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. It is hard to part
with these old members who have so much endeared themselves to us in
these many thoughtful ways.--Secy.
Bread Cast upon the Waters.
C. S. HARRISON, YORK, NEB.
The instance recited below has nothing particularly to do with
horticulture but a good deal to do with a "horticulturist," C. S.
Harrison, of York, Neb., that picturesque veteran in horticulture, who
has been an attendant at our meetings now for so many years, adding such
a strong interest to our annual gatherings. Mr. Harrison recited at our
late meeting the incident referred to here--without the denouement,
which came to him in California this winter, where he met Mr. Lindbergh,
one of Minnesota congressmen. As a result of this incident we had Mr.
Harrison with again at our late summer meeting.--Secy.
In 1861 I was living in Sauk Center, Minn., where I preached the first
sermon. I had a tract of country under my care 100 miles in extent and
had all sorts of work to do. Ten miles from Sauk Center there was a
sturdy Swede who was at one time speaker in one branch of the Swedish
parliament and for a while secretary to the king. He moved to Minnesota
about the year '60. It seems he had not learned the art of graft, and he
was poor. He took up a preemption and built him a little log house
12×16. One day he took a load of logs to the mill and, stumbling, fell
on the saw. This caught him in the back and split it open, and also took
a stab at his right arm.
It was hot weather and no surgeon within fifty miles. I followed him to
his home; we did not think he could live. I picked out the sawdust and
rags from his back and kept the wounded arm wrapped in cold water, and
now for a surgeon I got a horse from a neighbor and a man to ride him. I
said, "Don't hurt the horse but go as fast as it is safe." Twenty miles
ahead I knew another man with whom he could exchange horses, and then
another relay brought him to the doctor. Dr. Hunter proved to be a good
surgeon. We had kept the patient with such care that with his clean
habits and robust constitution he underwent the operation all right. I
helped the doctor, and we took off the arm near the shoulder. I had a
busy time until the surgeon came. I stayed with the man all day, then
drove home ten miles and was by his side early. It took the doctor about
three days to get there. The horses were poor, and the auto did not
exist even in a dream. By the next December the old hero was out
chopping rails with his left hand.
How poor the people were! Every dollar had a big task before it. The
good doctor only charged $20. I rode quite a distance--got a little here
and there and paid the bill. A son of the old man, C. A. Lindbergh, is
now representative in congress from the 6th district of Minnesota. We
discovered each other this winter. I have kept up a pleasant
correspondence. His daughter, Eva, who helps her father, has just
written me that she is going to be married in Minneapolis in June, and
she wants me to perform the ceremony. All the friends and relatives will
be there, and she wants the man who saved her grandpa. Thus, after
fifty-five years, stirring memories of the past are awakened and happy
anticipations of the future.--C. S. Harrison.
SECRETARY'S CORNER
MORE EVERBEARING STRAWBERRIES.--Mr. Walter Ferguson, of
Mankato, has pretty near the record number of strawberry plants raised
last year. From four plants of No. 1017 everbearing strawberries he
reports having raised several over six hundred. He says he reset twelve
new plants in July and they produced over three hundred.
ADVANCE PREMIUM LIST, ANNUAL MEETING, 1916.--Elsewhere in this
number will be found an advance list of premiums to be offered on
vegetables and apples at the coming annual meeting of the society. There
will be practically no change from this list, though there may be slight
additions to it. Possible exhibitors may feel safe to save material for
exhibition in accordance with the premiums therein offered.
PASSING OF J.F. BENJAMIN.--Members of the society who have
attended our annual meetings for the last ten or more years will readily
recall the face and figure of this very loyal member of the society, who
was always at hand to serve in any capacity as opportunity came to him.
Mr. Benjamin was a successful fruit grower, not only from a financial
standpoint but from his love of the art. We hope to publish a suitable
sketch of his life at some later date.
MUNICIPAL CAMPS IN NATIONAL FORESTS.--The City of Fresno,
California, has established a fifteen-acre camp in an adjoining national
forest, providing low cost outings for the school children of that city
and their parents. Los Angeles is doing something similar on even a
larger scale, and other municipalities are following suit. Minnesota has
splendid national forests, and the time may come when the state or some
of the municipalities of the state may be able to make similar use of
these forests for the benefit of our people who are not able to go to
larger expense to secure needed summer outing.
THE APPLE CROP.--The Department of Agriculture in its August
1st report forecasts an apple crop of seventy-one million barrels
against seventy-six million last year and a yearly average for the past
five years of sixty-six million. The favored regions in apple growing
this year are in the New England states and the Pacific states, the
Central states showing a very large falling off in the apple crop,
anywhere from four-fifths to one-fourth of previous years.
NATIONAL VEGETABLE GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.--It seems there is an
association of this character, called "Vegetable Growers' Association of
America," and it will hold its next annual meeting in LaSalle Hotel,
Chicago, September 26-29. Representatives of local vegetable growers'
associations' will probably do well to get in touch with this national
gathering. If any go from this state the secretary will be glad to
receive from them a report of the meeting. Marketing, soil fertility,
heating, packing, spraying and other subjects will be covered on the
program. For further information address James B. Foley, Secretary, 3100
South Spaulding Avenue, Chicago.
APPLE TREES AS A WINDBREAK.--John W. Maher, of Devils Lake,
N.D., in correspondence has spoken at two different times of the use of
apple trees as one feature of windbreaks in his vicinity, using such
varieties as Duchess, Patten's Greening, Hibernal, etc. In this
connection he says "probably it is only the amateur horticulturist who
sets a row of young apple trees in the stubble fields as a windbreak for
apple grafts, but this has been done here and the windbreak is
satisfactory. I believe that the apple is more hardy in this kind of
soil than it is generally considered to be. If the apple tree is
properly limbed so as to shade its trunk and larger limbs it is a real
success."
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY PERIODICALS.--February, 1894, the first
number of the monthly issued by this society was published and sent out
to its members. Publishing the report in this way as a monthly was an
experiment, which has proved to be a very successful one indeed, and
this method of publication has now for a long time been a permanent
feature of the work of this society. In 1894 the society had about six
hundred members. The increase in the membership of the association since
that period has brought the roll to high water mark this year at 3,700.
At that time as far as we know no other horticultural society was
publishing its report as a monthly. Quite a number of state societies
are now doing something of this sort, though not exactly following the
same plan as the Minnesota society, our report appearing as a monthly
magazine and being bound up later with list of members, index, etc.,
making altogether the annual report. The only association that has
exactly followed our plan is the Manitoba Society. Wisconsin, Kansas,
Nebraska, Virginia and other associations not now recalled are sending
out a monthly to their membership. Illinois and perhaps some others are
publishing a quarterly. Some of the state boards of horticulture are
publishing a monthly, notably the California board, and in some cases
the state boards of agriculture are doing this also. The plan
inaugurated by this society is being slowly popularized and will
undoubtedly continue to be made use of more and more as the study and
practice of horticulture develops in our country.
GARDEN HELPS
Conducted by Minnesota Garden Flower Society
Edited by MRS. E. W. GOULD, 2644 Humboldt Avenue So.
Minneapolis.
GARDEN HELPS FOR SEPTEMBER.
_September Meeting of the Garden Flower Society_ will be held on the
twenty-first, at 2:30 p.m., at the Minneapolis Public Library.
_Topics_, "Fall Work in the Garden."
"Planting for Fall and Winter Effects."
"Vines and Their Uses."
Have you taken any photographs of your garden, its individual flowers,
or wild flowers for our photographic contest? It is not too late yet to
get good pictures. Every member is urged to enter this competition.
_Plant peonies this month._ Old clumps of hardy perennials may be
divided and reset early this month. Flowering bulbs intended to be in
bloom at Christmas should be potted now. Grass seed for new lawns or bad
places in old ones can be sown this month.
The daffodil makes an early growth and should be planted this month.
After the first killing frosts the tender roots, like cannas, gladioli,
elephant's ears, and dahlias, can be lifted with a fork and spread out
under cover to dry, then stored in a cool cellar, free from frost.
Do not cultivate the soil after September first.
All newly set plants should be mulched lightly.
All litter about the garden can be cleared away. Any plants that have
been infested with insects or diseased should be burned. Leave no
harbors for the eggs of insects, such as old weeds, grasses or litter of
any kind.
Seeds of native plants which you wish to naturalize should be gathered
and sowed immediately in a shaded, well drained location, where the soil
has some humus.
Lily-of-the-valley should be planted this month.
Try planting a few sweet peas late in September or early October.
Important September blooming flowers are phlox, Japanese anemones;
perennial asters, or Michaelmas daisy, so-called because they are
supposed to be at their best on Michaelmas Day, September 29th;
helleniums, helianthus, hardy chrysanthemum, pyrethrum uliginosum,
boltonia.
If you have not these flowers, try and visit some garden where they are
blooming in order to know what kinds to grow.