Vermont State Horticultural Society 65 



Voorhees suggests that either of his formulas, 400 pounds to 

 an acre, may be used on good soils when trees begin to bear, these 

 amounts increasing as the years go on ; that on medium soils the 

 fertilization should begin earlier, and on poor soils that the 

 second formula should be used and fortified. He further 

 states that 1000- 1500 pounds annually used with mature trees 

 have been found to pay, enhancing quality, augmenting quantity 

 and promoting longevity. Early spring applications, plowed in, 

 are advised. 



Grapes * 



Voorhees suggests 1000-2000 annually of either of his 

 formula after bearing begins ; and on light soils annually 200 

 pounds nitrate to promote vine growth unless green manuring 

 with legumes is practiced. Van Slyke recommends the first ap- 

 ple and pear formula in double quantity, 725-1450 pounds, urges 

 green manuring with clover, decries the use of stable manure, 

 and states that occasionally lime may be used to advantage. 



Peaches 



Peach trees reach maturity quicker than do apples and the 

 crop is apt to be a relatively larger one ; hence more soluble plant 

 food seems necessary. Voorhees states that on good soil no 

 added plant food is needed until the third year ; that on medium 

 soils No. 2 and on poor ones No. i, 400-600 pounds to the 

 acre, may be used prior to setting out the orchard, to be followed 

 by an annual application of either formula when cropping is 

 to be expected, applied early in the season and harrowed in, 

 together with a dressing of nitrate of soda, 100-150 pounds; 

 acid phosphate, 200 pounds ; muriate of potash, 100 pounds. He 

 emphasizes the danger of excessive wood growth caused by late 

 application of soluble nitrogen or early application of too much 

 slow nitrogen as well as by green manuring. 



Van Slyke's suggestions are much the same, his formula 

 reading : 



Ingredients Weight 



Nitrate of soda 25-50 



Dried blood 50-100 



Cottonseed meal 100-200 



Acid phosphate 300-600 



Muriate of potash 120-240 



Totals 595-1190 



Percentage composition .... 



3 



