HOKIMCULTUKE. 39 



IGi) lbs. per acre of actual potash, 12 lbs. of phosphoric acid from the ashe», 

 as well as 57 lbs. from the acid phosphate, and lime at the rate of 32 lbs. per 

 tree, or 1.536 lbs. per acre. 



The effect of the fertilizer was measured by the yield and color of the fruit. 

 Although there was a slight annual average increase in yield per tree on the 

 treated plats for the several varieties, with the exception of Northern Spy. 

 the results are considered practically negative from a financial standpoint, 

 since the calculated gain per year on 5 acres is only $24.50, or not more than 

 enough to pay for handling the fertilizers. It is also noted that both the 

 treated and untreated plats increased markedly in yield from 1893 to 1904. 

 By way of explanation it is stated that prior to 1893 the orchard was in sod, 

 but during the experiment was kept under cultivation and grew more productive. 

 The results as to the color of fruit appeared to lack uniformity and "were 

 not decided enough in a sufficient number of the 12 seasons to enable us to state 

 that the fertilizers applied improved the color of the apples." The influence 

 i.n color appeared most marked in seasons with climatic conditions unfavorable 

 to the development of the fruit. 



With ' regard to the practical application of the results obtained in this 

 experiment, it is believed that fruit growers should not apply manures in 

 ((uantity until good evidence has been obtained as to what food elements, if 

 any, are wanting in the soil. This should be ascertained by fertilizer tests con- 

 ducted directly in the orchard in question. A brief plan adapted from a fer- 

 tilizer experiment under way for the past 10 years in a young apple orchard on 

 the station grounds is given to be used by the grower in determining to a certain 

 extent what fertilizer his orchard needs. . 



Unprofitable orchard fertilizing, F. H. Hall {New York State l:^ta. Bui. 2SD. 

 iKjiiiilar ('<!., pp. S. fi(j. 1). — A popular edition of the above. 



Evaporation of apples, II. P. Gould ([/. S. Dept. Igi., F'uniiers' Bui. 291. 

 pp. ,]S. p<jK. 16). — This bulletin contains an account of the author's studies with 

 regard to the evaporation of apples, including a description of several types of 

 evaporators adaptable for home and commercial purposes, various evaporator 

 appliances and conveniences, methods of preparing and drying the fruit, and 

 information in relation to the grading, marketing, and storing of the product. 

 The subject-matter is well illustrated. 



The cherry, F. Peneveyre (Chrou. Ayr. Vaud, 20 {li)U7),^Nos. 2, pp. 29-32; 

 J. pp. .'j.{-.-)7: J, pp. 74-80; 7. pp. 1 ',6-153; 8, pp. 157-162, fiys. 16). — This is a 

 short treatise on the cultivation of cherries, including a botanical description 

 of the genus, methods of propagation, nursery practices, training, selection of 

 site and soil, planting distances and operations, fertilizers, various styles of 

 planting, and subsequent care. 



Fertilizers on prune trees, A. L. Knisely {Oregon Stu. Rpt. 1905. pp. 57- 

 59). — Fertilizer experiments were conducted on a 5-acre Italian prune orchard 

 during the 4 years from 1901 to 1904, inclusive. The soil was classed as a 

 loam and was similar to many other prune orchard soils. Alternate rows 

 throughout the entire orchard were treated with nitrate of soda, Thomas slag, 

 muriate of potash, and sulphate of potash, either alone or variously combined. 



The results secured in the last 3 years of the experiment are presented in 

 tabular form, showing the average yield of fresh prunes per tree. No marked 

 effects from the different combinations of fertilizers were noticed during the 

 growing season, and the results were not decided enough to indicate a very 

 profitable use of fertilizers. 



Further exiteriments are to be made in order to ascertain whether the 

 (inality of the fruit has been affected by the fertilizei's, in wliicli special atten- 

 tion will be given Id the sngai- and acidity in the ripe fruit. 



9535— No. 1— ()7 1 



