No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 433 



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(6). In a few orchards, however, no form of fertilization has as 

 yet produced material response. This we consider due to the pres- 

 ence of other limiters of which improper moisture supply is fre- 

 Cjuently important. 



(7). The existence of such orchards emphasizes the need of local 

 tests before making large and regular expenditures for fertilizers. 



(8). In the long run, any orchard that is actively producing and 

 growing is likely to re(iuire fertilization, since the total plant food 

 draft of such an orchard is quite heavy, more per acre for every con- 

 stituent than is required by a 25-bushel crop of wheat. 



(9). AVhere plant food is needed, a good fertilizer is one carry- 

 ing about thirty pounds actual nitrogen, fifty pounds actual phos- 

 phoric acid, and twenty-five pounds potash per acre. The nitrogen 

 may be obtained in cover crops. 



(10). Injury from fertilizer has appeared in a few cases, es- 

 pecially in young orchards and in connection with strong applica- 

 tions of muriate of potash on thin soils. 



(11). Some definite correlation has appeared between certain fer- 

 tilization and fire blight, the latter being worst on the manure 

 plots and in those making strongest growth. Fruit spots also has 

 been much worse on the manure plots in certain cases. 



(12). With the four principal cultural methods tillage, tillage 

 and cover crops, sod mulch and sod without fertilization. The 

 second method has been best for yield and growth in a mature 

 orchard. With fertilization, the mulch method has excelled in both 

 matured and young orchards, and also without fertilization in the 

 latter, sod has given the highest color in all cases. 



(13). Color is essentially dependent on maturity and sunlight, 

 conditions increasing one or both of these factors, such as late pick- 

 ing, light soils, open pruning and sod culture increase color. Oppo- 

 site conditions decrease it. Iron application to the soil have not 

 been shown to improve color. 



SIZE OF CROP 



Owing to a very favorable season in part and in part to new 

 orchards coming into bearing, this year's apple crop was probably 

 the largest in the history of the State. The yield of peaches and 

 other fruits, while not ;i record breaker, was about the average 

 and fair prices were received. 



PKICE OP APPLES 



In contrast to the fair and satisfactory prices received by the 

 grower for his peaches, was the exceedingly low prices offered for 

 apples. Only fruit of exceptional quality commanded a price that 

 would justify the grower in handling it, and undesirable varieties 

 and other than best grade fruit in many sections hardly paid the 

 cost of harvesting. 



MARKETING 



One noticeable feature in the marketing of this crop, was the ab- 

 sence of competition among the buyers. In many districts the price 

 offered by different buyers was practically uniform, in most cases too 



28— G— inn 



