STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 43 



Lime seems to strengthen the stems and wood, shortening .the 

 period of growth, and also hastens the ripening. At any rate 

 trees grown on soils containing lime have these characteristics 

 over trees grown on soils, especially clays, lacking this element. 



Care should be exercised in using soluble forms of nitrogen 

 as a top dressing that excessive quantities are not applied at any 

 one time. Potash and phosphoric acid, on the other hand, are 

 not easily lost and better fruit is usually obtained where larger 

 amounts of these two elements are used than is needed. 



This matter of care in the use of nitrogen leads me to call to 

 your attention the so-called "Fisher Formula" which has been 

 used quite widely in this state. It has the following compo- 

 sition : 



8.6% nitrogen 

 3-3% phosphoric acid 

 11.9% potash 



and was recommended to be made from the following materials 

 in the proportions as here given. 



350 lbs. nitrate soda 



150 lbs. sulphate ammonia 



230 lbs. sulphate potash 



200 lbs. acid phosphate 

 50 lbs. Kieserite 



Experiments covering four years by the Maine Station (work 

 of Professor Munson published in several bulletins) proved that 

 this percentage of nitrogen was altogether too large and was no 

 doubt a waste of money. 



Probably a fertilizer analyzing about 4^% nitrogen, 7% phos- 

 phoric acid, and 10 to 12% potash would give just as good 

 returns. Make this from soluble materials like nitrate of soda 

 or sulphate of ammonia to furnish nitrogen, acid phosphate as 

 a source of phosphoric acid and muriate or sulphate of potash 

 for this element. The following formula might be suggested : 

 600 lbs. nitrate soda (15% nitrogen) 

 1000 lbs. acid phosphate (16% phos. acid) 

 400 lbs. muriate potash (50% potash) 

 But I should emphasize here again the practicability of getting 

 nitrogen from legimiinous cover crops whenever possible and 

 thus saving a large part of the cost for nitrogen in this fertilizer. 



