52 state; pomological society. 



underlying principle to the whole thing which explains those 

 results. And to go still farther with these illustrations, Mr. 

 Dawes recommended, so far as he had tried it for his orchard, 

 the Fisher formula. Well and good, I have no fault to find with 

 the Fisher formula where it gives results. "The proof of the 

 pudding is the eating of it." That is well enough. But there 

 is one thing in Mr. Dawes' experience with is formula which 

 illustrates the underlying principle that I am trying to get at. 

 That Fisher formula has a certain amount of nitrate of soda, a 

 certain amount of sulphate of ammonia, some sulphate of pot- 

 ash, phosphoric acid and one or-two other things, I believe. Mr. 

 Dawes told you that he applied sulphate of potash to some of 

 his trees and got absolutely no results from it, that he could see, 

 during the year in which he applied it, although he said, I 

 believe, that he was looking for more decided results next year — 

 and I think myself perhaps he won't get them. Now the point 

 I want to make in regard to the Fisher formula in this connec- 

 tion, is that in Mr. Dawes' experience it is probable that the 

 sulphate of potash which it contains is doing absolutely no good, 

 and the special point of value in this fact is that whatever Mr. 

 Dawes applies in the way of sulphate of potash in that formula 

 is just money thrown away, because he is getting no returns 

 from it. Now, why? I may not be making correct deductions 

 from these premises, but I think I can make a suggestion at 

 least as to the meaning of it, which is simply this, that his soil 

 does not need sulphate of potash, and if it does not need sulphate 

 of potash, then you may put it on by the carload and you won't 

 get returns for it. So the principal point there, as it appeals to 

 me, in Mr. Dawes' particular orchard, is that if he leaves out 

 the sulphate of potash and thereby saves considerable expense in 

 making up the Fisher formula, he will be just so much ahead of 

 the game. 



Now to revert a little to this other experience which I referred 

 to — Mr. Dawes' experience in using stable manure and Mr. 

 DeCoster's experience — there is a fundamental principle in 

 these facts, and the same is true in regard to hogs or no hogs in 

 the orchard. What caused the difference in the results? As it 

 appeals to me, it was undoubtedly due to the difference in the 

 condition of the soil. If the indications point to what I suspect 



