No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 447 



within this period also permits one to vary the amount applied 

 somewhat in accordance with the amoimt of fruit set on the trees. 



With the less soluble and sloAver acting minerals, the applica- 

 tion time is less important. We know some careful observers, who 

 regularly apply their phosphates and potash in the fall on peaches 

 and claim Ihat this gives the best results. Thus far we have felt 

 that the time of application for the minerals is of relatively little 

 importance, since they are rather quickly fixed in the soil, in any 

 case, and they do not leach readily. We therefore apply them along 

 with the ntirogen. at the time that we consider best for it. 



The method of application that we have followed is merely to scat- 

 ter the fertilizers broadcast over the surface of the ground, taking 

 care not to get it too close to the tree trunk, where there are few 

 absorbent roots, and extending the applications well out beyond the 

 spread of the branches. This may either be left on the surface to be 

 washed in by the rains or it may be lightly harrowed or plowed 

 into the soil. With this all done, it is well to remember that the 

 fertilizer applied in any given season can hardly affect materially 

 the yield of that year, since the fruit buds are formed in the latter 

 part of the preceding season. Important results, therefore, should 

 not be expected before the following season at the earliest, and, as 

 stated above, they may not appear until considerably later and still 

 prove of value. 



REPORT OF THE BOTANIST 



By PROF. W. A. BUCKHOUT, State College, Pa. 



The correspondence during the past year has been along the usual 

 lines and has presented but little out of the ordinary. The practical 

 botanical questions which interest the people are chiefly seed and 

 plant determinations and weed eradication. In the latter matter 

 one can simply reiterate that there is ordinarily no quick, short- 

 hand way of getting thoroughly rid of pestiferous weeds. It is 

 simply a question of common sense methods of cultivation and 

 general handling of the land concerned. Many are unable or un- 

 willing to do this: hence the frequent appeal for advice. 



I would again call attention to the excellent series of Farmers' 

 Bulletins issued gratuitously by the Department of Agriculture, 

 Washington, D. C, among which are the following which every one 

 interested in weed destruction should procure. No. 28, "Weeds and 

 How to Kill Them ;" No. 279, "A Method of Eradicating Jofcnson 

 Grass;" No. 368, "The Eradication of Bindweed or Wild Morning 

 Glory;" No. 464, "The Eradication of Quack Grass." No spoken or 

 written directions can take the place of these excellent bulletins. 



