226 



because it makes the potash compounds in the soil apparently 

 more available, but because also it is a material within the 

 reach of the average farmer because it is so cheap. I take 

 it that most farmers in Massachusetts could get salt in car- 

 load lots, 99%. purity, for about $5. or $5.50 a ton delivered ^ 

 and if used at the rate of 100 to 200 pounds per acre surely 

 it is not an expensive fertilizer, and will serve to increase 

 to a sufficient extent the amount of potash which may be 

 available to provide for the time being at least. 



Now then, in so far as the fruit grower is concerned, if 

 J were to sum up the question, if your land is naturally fer- 

 tile, if you are using cover crops, leguminous cover crops, 

 i.f you are drawing enough nitrogen out of the air to supply 

 the maximum needs of the trees as shown ])y the amount of 

 wood growth, your fertilizer question is a relatively simple 

 one. At that you might find it profitable to use some ear- 

 lier of phosphoric acid, whether it be acid i)l!()sphate or basic 

 slag or bone meal. As to potash, it depends entirely on the 

 make-up of your soil, the distance of trees from one another, 

 seasonal conditions and the previous history of the i.soil. i 

 might perhaps have said that in the first place and spared, 

 you all this discussion, but I thought you might be interested 

 sufficiently to consider with me the facts which underlie the 

 supply of plant food to orchard fruits. (Api)]ause). 



THE CHAIRMAN: Now we know this is a very inter- 

 esting subject and undoubtedly you have some questions to 

 ask Prof. Lipman. 1 have one which was handed in that T 

 will first read: "Wliat can be recommended for an animal 

 fertilizer campaign for young trees two years old and apple 

 t)'ees set in blocks in a Massachusetts ])asture, impossible to 

 cultivate beneath the trees?" The ([uestion is what animal 

 fertilizer can be used as a fertilizer on those trees'? 



J^ROF. IJP:\IAX: The tAvo factors which come in in that 

 case are the moisture factor and the plant food factor. It 

 is not ])ractica]de to plow the land, iso it would have to stay 

 m grass; if animals are ])astured and some manure is spread 

 on the oi'chard, 1 take it that the trees, umlcr tliose condi- 



