Tiric BrLi-KTix ?,1 



a very heavy draft on the fertility and moisture of the soih When 

 corn is used, it is generally planted so close to the trees that it makes 

 an undesirable shade during the latter part of the summer. 



Cotton is less objectionable than cDni and is used more in the 

 South, This crop does not shade the trees as much as corn and does 

 not exhaust the surface soil to such an extent. 



FEKTILIZERS 



Where the ^oil is not fertile, and cover crops do not supply sufhcicnr 

 fertility, it is necessary to use chemical fertilizers to secure the best 

 results. If stable manure is at hand, it may be applied, since it fur- 

 nishes both plant food and humus. Generally, the supply of stable 

 manure is limited, and only small amounts are available, so depend- 

 ence must be placed for the source of humus and plant food on cover 

 crops and commercial fertilizers. 



There is a wide difference of opinion among growers with regard to 

 fertilizing the peach orcliavd, and it is a matter on which very little 

 definite instruction can be given. However, the most accurate results 

 of fertilizer experiments clearly indicate that the peach feeds most 

 heavily on nitrogen, uses a slightly less amount of potash, and uses a 

 relatively small amount of phosphorus. These experiments show that 

 in most cases nitrogen increases the yield, and disproves the theory 

 of some orchardists that this element is injurious to the peach. 



As a general rule, soils that are adapted to peach growing in this 

 State are more or less deficient in fertility, and it is an exception when 

 maximum crops are secured without supplying plant food artificially. 

 Commercial fertilizers without humus have no place in peach orchard 

 management. The poorest results are derived from fertilizers applied 

 to soils lacking in humus. Nitrate of soda and to a less extent sul- 

 phate of ammonia are the only fertilizers that can be readily absorbed 

 without humus. Others require, to a large degree, the action of humus 

 to bring about the chemical changes necessary before the fertilizer can 

 be absorbed by the roots, and for this reason commercial fertilizers 

 should be used in conjunction Avitli a cover crop. 



The success of a fertilizer depends to such an extent on local factors 

 and conditions that it is difficult to recommend a formula for general 

 use. In general, it may be said that the majority of the peach orchards 

 in the State are greatly in need of humus and nitrogen. As a rule the 

 lighter, sandy soils need more potash than do the clays. General in- 

 dications of the deficiency of plant food are the lack of vigor and pre- 

 mature ripening of the trees, the presence of yellow leaves, and the 

 faded appearance of the foliage. The bearing of a heavy crop of 

 fruit and the subsequent weakening of the tree are frequently the first 

 signs of the lack of sufficient fertilitv. 



