166 Peach-Growing 



various plots are as yet incomplete, but such tests as have 

 been made seem to indicate that potash has some bene- 

 ficial effect in increasing the period of soundness of the 

 fruit. However, this point needs further testing to con- 

 firm it. 



"In time of ripening of the fruit we obtained striking 

 results. Heavy phosphoric acid applications delayed ripen- 

 ing about two days and potash hastened it one day. Nitro- 

 gen either in combination or alone delayed ripening from a 

 week to ten days. The power of nitrogen to retard ripening 

 is much stronger than that of potash to hasten it, so that 

 when nitrogen and potash are combined the hastening effects 

 of potash are almost wholly overshadowed by the retarding 

 effect of the nitrogen. 



" So far as the effect of fertilizers on the time of blooming 

 is concerned we have seen but little if any result. The total 

 period of bloom is so short that the differences in blooming 

 dates are minor ones and might be accounted for by other 

 reasons. We suspect, however, that the effect upon the 

 blooming period is similar to that upon the date of maturity, 

 although the proof of it is not yet clear. 



" We have no very clear and definite results upon the time 

 of wood ripening in the fall for which the terminal bud for- 

 mation has been used as a guide. It is generally supposed 

 that heavy applications of nitrogenous fertilizers would 

 make a soft immature wood, but our results, though incon- 

 clusive, would appear to refute this view. It is probable 

 that the regulation of the soil moisture has a more intimate 

 connection with fall ripening of wood and bud than does 

 plant food." 



On the basis of other fertilizer tests with peaches conducted 

 with a view to determining the influence of mineral plant- 



