294 



Bulletin 262. 



in general use. The need and value of fertilizers for orchards have 

 been demonstrated beyond question in Wayne County, as well as in 

 other sections of the country, and more attention might well be given 



to this factor of orchard 



management. 



Commercial fertilizers have 

 not come into very general 

 use in the county; in fact, 

 about 4.3 per cent of the area 

 (acres) is enriched by com- 

 mercial fertilizers alone and 

 in combination with other 

 fertilizers. A few orchard- 

 ists use commercial fertilizer 

 in connection with manures, 

 some use ashes with manures, 

 and 4 per cent (of orchards) 

 use commercial fertilizers 

 alone. Complete fertilizers 

 are used in only thirteen or- 

 chards and on 119 acres. Fre- 

 cjuently the phosphorus is en- 

 tirely omitted. 



Cover-crops have also been 

 rather unpopular. They have 

 been used on only about ten 

 per cent of the orchards. Buckwheat, rye and clovers are the chief kinds 

 used. Green-manuring by the use of cover-crops might well come into 

 more general use, and in this way serve as a substitute for barnyard 

 manure and other fertilizers. 



Fig. 33. — A poor type of cultivator for orchard 

 use. Both frame and handles " skin " many 

 trees 



V. Summary of Fertilizers Used on Bearing Orchards 



