X7 



1)0011 equally as good as before. However, it would 

 not be a sound policy to advocate- tlie continuation of 

 so low a percentage as above stated wben tlic material 

 can be obtained at tbe same reasonable figure as form- 

 erly prevailed. Therefore, when potash again 

 becomes obtainable on the market at from for- 

 ty to fifty dollars per ton we advise the fol- 

 lowing formula: 10 per cent. Phosphoric Acid, 3 per 

 cent nitrogen, and 6 per cent, potash. The potash to 

 be derived from Sulphate of Potassium; the nitrogen 

 from sulphate of ammonia, nitrate of soda or dried 

 blood. As has been pointed out above, legumes should 

 be grown in the orchard not only as a cheap source of 

 nitrogen, but also to increase the humus in the soil, and 

 when this system is practiced, the grower should be 

 guided by conditions in his orchard and reduce the per 

 cent, of nitrogen in his fertilizer from three to two 

 and down to one per cent. 



Fertilizer experiments in orange groves in recent 

 years with late applications of nitrate of soda (August 

 1st) have proved very beneficial. The reason for a late 

 application in bearing orchards is as follows: The ni- 

 trogen derived from legumes planted the previous sea- 

 son or from nitrogenous fertilizer applied in the spring, 

 will be largel}^ exhausted before the fruit reaches ma- 

 turity. The result is that the fruit becomes rather stunt- 

 ed, small in size and the sugar content below normal, 

 although a sufficient supply of potassium may be i)ros- 

 ent. 



From an economic and commercial point of view, 

 it should be our aim to improve our fruit in quality 

 and size to conform with the demand of the northern 

 and eastern markets which in the future as in the i)ast 

 will be the principal consumers. Many orchardists be- 

 lieve that the small fruit has a thinner skin and a finer 

 texture and therefore suits their taste better. While 

 this may be true, we are not growing fruit mainly for 

 our own consumption but for the distant markets and 

 the taste of the consumer should be considered. 



Since tlie Sai.suma orange growers first began to 

 ship fruit to the northern market in 1914, it has been 

 brought home to them each year that the sizes 120, 

 144 and 168 per box sell at from thirty to fifty per cent, 

 higher than the sizes 192. 216 and 210 per box. Now 

 there is no reason why the orchardist should not be 

 willing to use every effort to make a tree produce two 



