 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map - North AmericaIn the 1950s, horticulturist Neal Holland began working at NDAC. He continued research on tomatoes developing the Cannonball and the Sheyenne. Dr. J. R. Schultz also continued research in horticulture in the mid-1950s. One of his publications was similar to Yeager’s Fruit Culture in North Dakota, but it updated the information on newer varieties. Many of the varieties were the old familiar types, some of which had been developed by Yeager. There is a notable stability in fruit types for North Dakota until very recently. The varieties Schultz (and Yeager recommend) are nearly identical to those recommended by Claire B. Waldron in 1901. Schultz, however, added information on cultivation of fruit trees and shrubs. The worst problems for those who wanted to start an orchard were (are) rabbits and mice – and mice are worst when the snow is deep. Schultz recommended applying repellent, wrapping the trunks of trees in one-half inch wire mesh, or wrapping the trunks and low branches in aluminum foil. Schultz also made a map which showed the zones of ND where fruits were most likely to prosper. Zone A, the southeastern portion and the Red River Valley was the best area for fruits because of the quality of the soil and quantity of moisture. Zone B was ok – it was an area between Highway 52 and the Souris River on the west and the eastern tier of Red River counties on the east and north of approximately I-94. The rest of the state was Zone C, a place where fruit growing was chancy and those who wanted to raise fruit would have to be choosy about the variety and be sure that the rootstock was either native (for plums) or Siberian (for apples).