304 Bulletin 72. 



the land cannot be cultivated ; but better results in the way of 

 fertilizing and in freedom from weeds and insects can be obtained 

 by pasturing closely with sheep or swine. 



Potash is generally the most important element to be applied 

 directl}^ to orchards, particularly after the trees have reached 

 bearing age. The store of available potash in the soil is much 

 increased by the thorough tillage which has already been recom- 

 mended, but in bearing orchards it should also be supplied every 

 year in some commercial form. One of the best sources of potash 

 for orchards is wood ashes, but this material is so often weakened 

 b}^ leaching that it cannot be confidently recommended. A 

 good sample of unleached hard wood ashes should contain from 

 7 to 9 per cent, of potash, but much of the commercial article 

 does not analyze above 2 to 3 per cent. Potash in this form has 

 a trade value of 4^ cents per pound. To this value of wood 

 ashes should also be added 2 per cent, or less of phosphoric acid, 

 now worth 6 cents a pound. Forty to fift)' bushels to the acre is 

 considered to be a good dressing of wood ashes, if it has been 

 kept dry. 



Muriate of potash is perhaps the best and most reliable form in 

 which to secure potash at the present time. Commercial samples 

 generally contain from 80 to 85 per cent, of muriate of potash, 

 or about 50 per cent, of actual potash. Kainit or German potash 

 salts is an impure muriate of potash containing about 12 per cent, 

 of potash. An apple orchard in full bearing and upon loose soil 

 may receive as high as 1000 lbs. of muriate of potash per acre, but 

 a normal and economical application is from 500 to 700 lbs. Sul- 

 phite of potash is also thought to be a good form in which to buy 

 potash. The commercial article will analyze 50 per cent, or less 

 of actual potash. Sylvanite is a cheap and low grade of this 

 material which is often bought by farmers as sulphate of potash. 

 Its value — like that of other materials mentioned — should be 

 reckoned upon the amount of potash present. 



Phosphoric acid may be obtained in the form of a high grade 

 plain superphosphate (dissolved South Carolina rock), in bone com- 

 pounds, and Thomas slag. The plain superphosphate contains 

 about 16 or 18 per cent, of phosphoric acid, and 300 to 500 lbs. 

 per acre is a liberal and very useful dressing for bearing orchards. 



