BEGINNERS GUIDE TO FRUIT GROWING 



and lime. The potash, however, which is the most 

 valuable part, is exceedingly uncertain in quantity, 

 so that most buyers feel safer when ordering potash 

 in the form of muriate or sulphate. Where wood 

 ashes are cheaply available they may be safely ap- 

 plied to fruit plantations at the rate of one to two 

 tons to the acre. 



The cheapest commercial source of nitrogen at 

 present is nitrate of soda. This is especially useful 

 for newly set trees, which it stimulates to a vigor- 



FIG. 22 TRUCK CROPS ( SQUASH) IX PEACH ORCHARD 



ous and healthy growth. In such cases it should 

 be used at the rate of one ounce to the tree at the 

 time when growth starts. If more growth is wanted 

 a similar application should be made about June 

 first. Other sources of nitrogen are nitrate of 

 potash, dried blood, tankage and fish scrap, all of 

 which materials are suitable for use on fruit planta- 

 tions. 



It should be remembered that the office of nitro- 

 gen always is to promote wood growth and to some 



