r. Burgart says:
"After 21 years of experience with growing, selling and planting nut
trees, I have had to have a neighbor show me the best way to care
successfully for them. I have studied and practiced Mr. Baad's methods,
and in comparing them with my former practice, and with the practice of
others who have failed with their trees, I will suggest the following
cultural procedure to be given all plantings when possible, and to be
continued for at least three years, or even longer for best nut
production.
"Nut trees should be given clean cultivation right after being planted
(in the spring) and until August 1st. This encourages root growth and
conserves moisture. Then sow a cover crop of rye, cow peas or soy beans
to take up moisture, slow up growth and prevent the late sappy condition
that is often responsible for winter injury. Leave the cover crop over
winter and turn it under in the spring for humus. Before turning under,
a light application of some kind of manure, along with some
superphosphate and potash, should be sprinkled around each tree. Then
thorough cultivation again until August, and repeat.
"Soil for nut trees should be tested for acidity, nitrogen, phosphate
and potash. It has been determined that most nut trees prefer a pH range
of 6.0 to 8.0; but I have frequently found people planting trees on
soils of 4.0 and 5.0, where nothing but sickly growth could be expected.
"Where it is not possible to work all of the ground between nut trees,
cultivation should begin with a three or four foot circle around each
tree, annually increasing this space with the growth of the branches.
Cultivation, with attention to humus and fertility, are necessary to
proper tree growth and nut production. Sod culture will never do."
Mr. Burgart's method has the advantage not only of guarding the trees
from excessive winter injury but at the same time adds an almost
immediately available source of humus and nutrients to the soil for
spring growth. If followed, it should greatly reduce the number of
reports of winter injury, failure to start, and of weak growth
afterward.
Excessive summer heat is not so great a problem in most portions of the
northern states. The highest expected temperatures range, in our
reports, from 86 deg. to 110 deg.; mostly from 90 deg. to 100 deg.. The highest known
are reported to be all the way from 95 deg. to 120 deg., but mostly from 100 deg. to
110 deg.. A method of guarding against heat
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