22 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



without exception, respond profitably to the appHcation of a fertihzei- 

 carrying ammonia. A cultivated orchard is a different problem. Whether 

 fertilizing the cultivated orchard will pay or not will depend upon the 

 condition of the soil. If it is strong, it is probable that there would be 

 no result; if the trees are getting old or the land is run down, it is prob- 

 able that it would be. I do not think one would get such wide compari- 

 sons as on sod or that the differences would be noticeable so soon but I 

 would recommend that these materials be used through several years 

 or until one assures himself one way or the other. Some experiments 

 show that fertilization in cultivated orchards does pay, others that it 

 does not. 



At present prices, the cost of five, six or seven pounds of nitrate of soda 

 or sulphate of ammonia would be from about fifteen to twenty-five cents. 

 This charge per tree is so small that a verj^ few apples in addition would 

 pay the price. No one, therefore, can afford not to make a fair trial. 



It may be worth while to say something about the fertilization of 

 young orchards. I believe that the advisable plan is to push them as 

 hard as possible within reason in order to have as large a tree as one can 

 at the time it should come into bearing. I believe that the use of quickly 

 acting nitrogenous fertilizers . will enable young trees to make a rapid 

 growth cailier in the season with plenty of time left to mature their 

 wood before cold weather sets in. This should enable one to put a little 

 more growth upon the trees even under cultivation without undue 

 danger from winter injury. About the time the trees should come into 

 bearing, it may be advisable to discontinu(> the feitilization for a year 

 or two. 



B}^ way of summary, I offer the following points. 



1. Nitrogenous fertilization appears to be consistently necessary 

 and profitable in a sod orchard wherever it may be. 



2. Cultivated orchards may or may not need fertilization. Only a 

 trial of several j^ears' duration may determine the answer. 



3 Nitrate of soda and sulphate of ammonia are the advisable ma- 

 terials to use. 



4. Manure is, of course, valuable when it can be secured although 

 even with its use it may be profitable to use in addition nitrate of sod.-i 

 or sulphate of ammonia. 



5. Bone and tankage are too slow in action to warrant their use where 

 immediate results are wanted. 



6. In view of the facts that our soils are generally deficient ui phos- 

 phorous and that both cover crops and sod are benefited by its use, acid 

 phosphate is recommended to be used in conjunction with the nitro- 

 genous material. 



7. A considerable mulch may be grown within the orchard by the use, 

 in somewhat larger amounts, of the same materials advised for the 

 fertilization of the trees. 



8. For early and best results nitrogenous fertiliz(>rs must be apj)li(Ml 

 two or three weeks previous to blossoming. 



9. In order to stimulate regular bearing, there must be annual f(Mti- 

 lization. 



10. The amounts to be used will var}- from a hundiiil to ten or twelve 

 pounds per tree in proportion to the size of the tree. 



