9 



50 THE CONNECTICUT P0M0L0GICAL SOCIETY. 



ready to answer them, and I am sure can tell you a good deal 

 more. 



Discussion. 



Mr. Fenn : I would like to ask Mr. Drew why he 

 used sulphate instead of muriate of potash? 



Mr. Drew : While it costs more than the muriate, the 

 sulphate of potash, I think, is a better form. I do not think 

 we have emphasized enough the value of lime. Muriate of 

 potash contains chlorine, which unites with the soluble lime 

 in the soil, and is washed into the subsoil and lost. Yo;i will, 

 therefore, deplete your soil of lime by using the muriate. 

 The sulphate does not form any compound with the soluble 

 lime. 



Mr. Fenn: Do you think the sulphate will last longer? 



Mr. Drew : I would not say that, but I think it is in 

 better form. I think it is generally admitted that the sul- 

 phate will give a better product than muriate, especially on 

 potatoes. I think it is just the same with apples. What is 

 the use of putting on muriate of potash if that is going to 

 help deplete your soil of lime? 



Mr. Fanton : Do you think there is any economy in 

 using a low grade of sulphate of potash? 



Mr. Drew : I think that next to the high grade sulphate 

 of potash I would use the low grade sulphate of potash for 

 orchard purposes. I know many people think the low grade, 

 because it contains magnesia, preferable to the high grade. 

 I do not think that a person can made a mistake in using 

 either one. I should use it in one or the other form. 



Mr. Fanton : How many pounds of the basic slag do 

 you use? 



Mr. Drew : When I started out I used to put on about 

 five hundred pounds to the acre spread broadcast. After 

 the trees were in good shape, I have been practicing putting 

 on about three or four hundred pounds to the acre. That 



