Food for duction. Data were obtained, however, on the effect 

 of the various sprays on the blossoming of the trees 



180 in the spring, and the notes taken may be summarized 

 as follows: 



The plats sprayed with Nitrate of Soda at the rate 

 of 1 pound to the gallon came into bloom earlier than 

 the check trees, just as they had done in 1912. This 

 effect was more marked in the cases in which lye was 

 added to the Nitrate solution than when the plain 

 water solution was used that is, the addition of lye 

 in the proportion of 16 pounds of caustic soda in 100 

 gallons of spray solution increased the action of the 

 Nitrate of Soda in bringing the trees out earlier. 

 Caustic soda appeared to be just as effective as caustic 

 potash. Nitrate of Soda used at the rate of half a 

 pound to the gallon, either with or without the addi- 

 tion of lye, was not nearly so effective as a solution of 

 1 pound to the gallon. A solution of one-fourth of a 

 pound to the gallon, with lye added, had practically no 

 effect. Nitrate of Soda, at the rate of 1 pound to the 

 gallon, to which oxalic acid was added in the proportion 

 of 50 pounds to 125 gallons of solution, produced re- 

 sults similar to Nitrate of Soda plus lye, so far as the 

 effect of hastening the blooming period is concerned. 

 Lime Nitrate, 130 pounds in 100 gallons of water, and 

 lime cyanamid, 92 pounds in 100 gallons of water, 

 stimulated an earlier blooming of the trees, and subse- 

 quent experiments will probably put these substances 

 in a class with Nitrate of Soda. Normal Yellow Bell- 

 flower apple blossoms have considerable pink color, 

 and it was interesting to note that when the trees sprayed 

 with the lime cyanamid came into bloom the flowers 

 were nearly white. The effects from sulphate of am- 

 monia were not nearly so marked as those from Nitrate 

 of Soda. These various nitrogen-bearing fertilizer 

 substances were used in such strengths as to carry 

 relatively the same quantities of nitrogen per gallon. 

 Sulphate of potash had some effect in stimulating an 

 early blooming, but double superphosphate did not. 

 Of a number of other substances tried, common salt 

 used at the rate of 68 pounds to 100 gallons of water 

 produced a distinct effect. 



