DO AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



their full-crop year, and their blossom indications were as good 

 as or better than in 191 1. They were estimated to have 100 

 per cent of a full bloom in 1915, while the other plats averaged 

 about 30 per cent. 



Looking at the total results, however, it will be noted that 

 the average yields of the checks, or unfertilized plats, have 

 run fairly uniform, producing an average annual yield of 170.5 

 bushels per acre during the last five years. Lime alone (at the 

 rate of 1,000 pounds per acre annually) showed no improve- 

 ment over the average check during the first four years, and 

 it is only being brought above now by the addition of a com- 

 plete fertilizer during the last two years. The phosphate and 

 potash combination here is also poor, although it may have 

 some advantage in location, as indicated by the fact that its 

 adjacent check is the highest producer among them and is now 

 averaging within 38 bushels of the phosphate-potash treatment. 

 The growth on the latter plat, also, is nearly 3 per cent less 

 than that of the normal unfertilized plat, and its general appear 

 ance is in no way superior. It is evident, therefore, that these 

 trees are still vitally in need of something, although it will be 

 noted that they are receiving the fertilization commonly advised 

 for orchards, — largely on the basis of chemical analyses. 



This need is being quite thoroughly met on the adjacent plat 

 6, which differs from No. 5 only in the addition of nitrogen. 

 The mere addition of nitrogen in this case has more than 

 tripled the gain. Also it will be noted that wherever nitrogen 

 appears in the treatments, very large yields are observed, and 

 the foliage and growth of the trees are also very satisfac- 

 tory, — the average gains in trunk girth ranging from 25 to 90 

 per cent. 



Plat 2, receiving nitrogen and phosphate only, at the present 

 time shows a distinctly better gain than No. 6, which receives 

 potash in addition. This is directly connected with the almost 

 complete crop failure that occurred in the latter plat in 191 2, 

 and it is also partly attributable to an unusual amount of 

 crowding that is occurring among the trees of plat 6. It shows, 

 however, that little or no additional potash is needed in this 

 orchard, and that its addition thus far has actually been a detri- 

 ment so far as the yields are concerned. 



