124 Bulletin 153 



foliage could be detected at a distance of a half mile. In 1897, 

 these trees were still superior to others, but the effects were not 

 so marked as in the previous year. In 1898, all effects were lost, 

 and the trees could not be distinguished from their neighbors. 

 In 1896, the potash trees seemed to show a very sliglit gain, but 

 no difference could be detected between the different potash 

 treatments. In 1897 "o effects were noticed; neither at fruiting 

 time in 1898. 



This experience is remarkable in two respects, — in showing how 

 difficult it is to predict results with fertilizers in old orchards, and 

 in the slowness with which the nitrate of soda worked. It was 

 eighteen months before the effects of this dressing were seen ; 

 and yet nitrate of soda is soluble and is supposed to pass quickly 

 through the soil. There are two explanations of this tard}- action 

 of the nitrate : this length of time may have been required to 

 carry the material downi to the roots, or the tree may not have 

 recovered from its accustomed lethargy until the season follow- 

 ing its appropriation of the nitrogen. This experience is further 

 valuable in showing that the effect of nitrate lasted but two 3^ears. 

 II. In the orchard of J. J. McGowen, near Ithaca, experi- 

 ments were begun in 1894 and 1896. The trees were 26 years 

 old when tests were begun, and they had been continuousl}' in 

 sod after the first three years. They had been w^ell top-dressed 

 with stable manure for many years, however, and were in good 

 bearing condition. The varieties are King and Baldwin. 



Plot A. Plowed in the fall of 1894 and spring of 1895. At 

 the latter time, sulfate of potash was applied at the rate of 750 

 lbs. to the acre. Clean tillage followed. 



The apples of 1895 were larger, and seven to ten da3^s later 

 than those on untreated trees. 



In 1896 the tillage was continued, and on May 14 a heavy 

 dressing was made of muriate of potash. 



Early in June, 1896, the foliage on the plot w^as seen to be 

 unusually dark colored and vigorous. The difference could be 

 seen a half mile. There was also a larger crop, not due to 

 more profuse blossoming of the treated trees, but to less loss 

 at the "June drop." The amount of fruit w^as about twice 

 as great as on adjacent trees, and the apples were larger, later 

 and lighter colored. 



