254 iBOAED OF AGEICULTURE. 



Where orchards are set out on land that has been under cultivation 

 for a considerable time it may happen that the land may have enough 

 available plant food of all kinds to provide for the growth of the young 

 trees and the crops that are often planted in the young orchard, but 

 that shortly after the bearing period begins, vphen there is an enormous 

 increase in the food requirements of the orchard, one or more elements 

 may not be present in sufficient quantity. Other elements may be present 

 in abundance, but the crop is limited by the deficiency of the one that is 

 most nearlj^ exhausted. 



Since the effect of the fertilizer applied to an orchard is expected to 

 extend over a series of j^ears, slow acting fertilizers may be employed if 

 desired. A formula that has proven profitable in the East is made by 

 mixing— 



100 pounds ground bone, 



100 pounds acid phosphate, and 



100 pounds muriate of potash. 



Calculated to the percentage basis, this mixture would give- 

 Nitrogen 1 per cent. 



Potash 17 per cent. 



Available phosphoric acid 8 per cent. 



Insoluble phosphoric acid 5 per cent. 



This mixture is recommended for trees in bearing or just ready to 

 bear. Another formula recommended for use at the time the orchai-d is 

 set out and when the land is of poor quality is— 



Bone 150 pounds 



Muriate of potash 100 pounds 



Calculated to the percentage basis, this would give- 

 Nitrogen 1.8 per cent. 



Potash 20.0 per cent. 



Phosphoric acid 13.0 per cent. 



Sulphate of potash may be used in the above mixtures instead of the 

 muriate if desired. 



These mixtures are used at the rate of 400 to 1,500 pounds per acre. 

 On medium soil 1,000 pounds per acre is a fair application. The best 

 method of application is to scatter the fertilizer over a considerable area, 

 about twice the diameter of the tree top, about the tree and then plow 

 under. Since the roots grow fastest where the food supply is the best, 

 this method will tend to produce a broad and deep root system, a matter 

 of much importance, especially in seasons of drought. When it is neces- 

 sary to apply fertilizers on sod under the trees only the most soluble 



